Hobart Demolition Expertise
Demolishing properties in Hobart comes with challenges you won’t find in newer suburbs or mainland cities. Areas like Battery Point, South Hobart, and West Hobart have heritage overlays affecting demolition approvals, sometimes requiring careful hand demolition to protect neighbouring heritage structures. Hobart’s established suburbs weren’t built for modern machinery – narrow streets in North Hobart, steep driveways in Mount Nelson, and tight CBD laneways mean equipment access needs careful planning. We’ve handled demolition on some of Hobart’s trickiest sites and know how to get machinery in and rubble out without damaging neighbouring properties.
Many Hobart properties sit on significant slopes, requiring different techniques and equipment compared to flat sites. Tasmania’s weather affects demolition scheduling too, especially for full-house demolitions where structures are exposed. Each council area has specific requirements – Hobart City Council, Clarence, Glenorchy, and Kingborough all have different regulations. We handle council liaison and permit applications for all areas.
Complete Project Management
Demolition is more than just knocking things down – we manage every aspect from start to finish. Before we quote, we visit your property to assess structure type, machinery access, asbestos presence, neighbouring property considerations, and services needing disconnection. This site visit means our quote reflects the actual work required, not guesswork leading to price increases later.
Most demolition work in Hobart requires council approval. We can guide you through the permit application process and advise what’s needed for your specific property. All services must be properly disconnected before demolition – we coordinate with TasNetworks for electricity, TasWater for water and sewer, and gas disconnection if present. You’ll need to contact service providers to cancel accounts.
Our systematic approach starts with site setup and safety barriers, salvaging reusable materials if requested, then methodical demolition from top to bottom while controlling dust and noise. We sort materials for recycling where possible, sending timber, metals, and concrete to recycling facilities. Once complete, we leave your site level, clear of debris, and ready for the next phase.
Choosing the Right Demolition Method
Not all demolition jobs use the same approach. The method we use depends on your property type, location, and what’s happening after demolition. Mechanical demolition with excavators works well for most standalone structures where access allows, and there’s no risk to neighbouring buildings. It’s fast and cost-effective for standard residential and commercial jobs.
Hand demolition becomes necessary in tight spaces, heritage areas, or when structures sit close to neighbouring properties. It’s slower and costs more, but it prevents damage to surrounding buildings and gives better control over the process. Some jobs need a combination – mechanical demolition for most of the structure, with hand demolition near boundaries or sensitive areas.
For internal strip-out, we remove fitouts, walls, and fixtures while preserving the structural shell. Concrete breaking uses specialised equipment for removing driveways, slabs, and foundations. We assess your specific situation during the site visit and recommend the most practical method for your project and budget.
Licensed and Insured Demolition Contractor
Safety and compliance aren’t negotiable in demolition work. We operate as a fully licensed demolition contractor with comprehensive public liability insurance covering all projects. Every job follows strict safety protocols and Tasmania’s demolition regulations. As a licensed demolition contractor in Tasmania, we maintain public liability insurance coverage, WorkSafe Tasmania compliance, and registration with Hobart City Council.
Every demolition project includes:
- Detailed site safety assessment before work begins
- Safe work method statements for each project
- Proper safety barriers and signage
- Personal protective equipment for all crew members
- Dust suppression and noise management
- Emergency response procedures
Hobart’s older homes often contain asbestos in roofing, wall cladding, and internal sheeting. Before any demolition work starts, we conduct asbestos checks. If asbestos is present, we coordinate with licensed asbestos removalists to handle safe removal before demolition begins. This protects you, our crew, and your neighbours from exposure to dangerous fibres.
Demolition vs DIY: Why Professional Matters
Some property owners consider DIY demolition to save money, but it’s usually a costly mistake. Demolition involves serious hazards – structural collapse, falling materials, exposed services, and asbestos exposure. Without proper training and equipment, you’re risking serious injury or death. If you damage neighbouring properties or injure someone, you’re personally liable. Professional contractors carry insurance protecting you from these risks.
Most demolition requires council permits. DIY work often proceeds without proper approvals, leading to council fines and orders to rectify work at your expense. Equipment hire, waste disposal, service disconnections, and unexpected complications quickly add up – many DIY demolitions end up costing more than professional quotes. What takes our crew two to three days might take you several weekends of hard physical labour. We have accounts with licensed waste facilities and know where different materials can be disposed of or recycled. You’ll face disposal fees and potential rejection of mixed loads at waste facilities.
What to Expect: Demolition Project Timeline
The first week or two involves planning and permits – site inspection, council permit application, asbestos assessment if needed, and service disconnection arrangements. Week three to four covers pre-demolition work, where service disconnections get completed, asbestos removal happens if present, and we set up site safety barriers.
Week five is typically when demolition happens. Most residential demolitions take two to five days, depending on size – a single garage takes about one day, a house demolition runs two to four days, and large commercial buildings need five or more days. These are working days, so weather delays can stretch the calendar timeline.
Week five to six covers completion with final waste removal, site levelling and cleanup, final inspection, and site handover. These timeframes can vary based on project complexity, weather, and council approval times. We’ll give you realistic timeframes in your quote rather than promising unrealistic timelines we can’t meet.
Common Demolition Questions
Most demolition work requires council approval, with some exceptions for small structures. We’ll confirm requirements based on your specific property and structure. Generally, if a structure is larger than ten square meters or close to boundaries, council approval is needed. Heritage areas and proximity to neighbouring properties can trigger additional requirements.
Demolition stops until licensed asbestos removalists safely remove all asbestos materials. We coordinate this process, but asbestos removal is charged separately because it requires specialized licensing and disposal. Most properties built before 1990 have asbestos somewhere, so it’s common rather than unusual.
We can demolish in winter, though the weather can cause delays. We schedule around severe weather and adjust timelines for seasonal conditions. Heavy rain makes sites dangerous and prevents efficient work, so we’d rather delay a day than push through in unsafe conditions. Summer generally offers more predictable working conditions in Hobart.
We take extensive precautions to protect neighbouring properties. Our public liability insurance covers any accidental damage, though our safety measures and experience mean damage is rare. Most jobs complete without any impact on neighbouring properties beyond some temporary noise and dust.
If you want to salvage timber, bricks, or other materials, let us know before work starts. We’ll set aside the materials you want to keep. Many people save timber for firewood or bricks for garden projects. Just tell us what you want before demolition begins, because once it’s mixed with other rubble, salvaging specific materials becomes difficult.
Ready to Start Your Demolition Project?
Get a free, no-obligation quote for your Hobart demolition project. We’ll visit your site, assess the work needed, and provide a detailed quote covering all aspects of the job.
Contact us today:
- Free site inspection and quote
- Professional advice on your demolition needs
- Realistic timeframes and transparent pricing
- Licensed, insured, and experienced
- Minimal disruption to neighbours
Whether you’re clearing a site for new construction, removing a dangerous structure, or need a commercial strip-out, we’ll handle your demolition project safely and professionally. Call now to discuss your project and arrange a site visit.
