Internet Know How Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Hi, Are there any restrictions around self demolishing a detached house on a plot I own providing I…. Hire a machine to do it Hire grab hire removal Consider the noise, and neighbouring properties (erect site fencing and protect the site) Have submitted a notice to demolish Cut off and capped all services such as main water and sewer connection, electricity, gas and telephone (liaising with service companies as required) Soft strip all loose items, kitchen, sanitaryware, and remove all cabling, lighting, plumbing, radiators etc Remove all doors, windows frames, linings, internal/external timber mouldings etc. Strip roof and lead flashings Remove structural timbers, joists and trusses if needed Demolish walls, salvaging bricks for example. Thanks, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) Highly unlikely you'll get insurance, so if anything happens to you, a visitor, contractor (unless a demolition specialist) or member of public, you'll be personally liable. E.g. if a wall falls on to the grab wagon you've hired, you'll have to pay for repairs out of your pocket. If debris falls on the road and damages a car, your fault. I looked in to all this before demolishing our house. Couldn't get any of the self build insurers to cover demolition works - by me or anybody else (unless they had their own demolition insurance in place to an equal or great value than the self build policy) I went ahead anyway, but did it all myself and was satisfied there was no real risk to public or neighboring buildings. As it was a single story brick built house with hipped roof, was relatively easy and was never far off the ground or under any large walls. Didn't need to hire any equipment apart from a telehandler to help with the slate removal. Only other things you've missed off your list are planning permission (most areas you need to have planning in place for a replacement dwelling) and an asbestos survey. Edited August 25, 2020 by Conor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 A few years ago I part demolished a bungalow and burned all the timber on site. Someone stripped and removed the roof tiles for free even though they were only concrete plain tiles. We were only left with the brick shell which was v. cheap to dispose of. Nowadays the authorities probably would not take kindly to the type of fire we had. Be aware of asbestos and if in doubt, assume it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bornagain Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 We got a guy who knocked down our old house by hand as he wanted the bricks. He did it for nowt, and was easily the mosy dangerous contractor that I have ever seen or heard of. He started the work until a few days before Christmas and was finished very early in the new year - he did it then because in his words " the council and the HSE will be on holiday" The knackered bricks (of which there were many) went on the back of a farm trailer to a farmer for his tracks The timber was burned on site. Metal went to the scrapyard. Everything else went to the tip. Cost = £0. Took a couple of weeks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Be very careful about employing someone to do any demolition work who is not insured and does not appear trained and competent. If it is more than single storey, the risks are multiple and serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozza Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 I demo’d my cottage by hand including roof. Left with stone shell. Got in a bloke with JCB who pushed it down. you can save lots of £ if you DIY. you can make money by selling things you get rid off. if your local authority require a demolition method statement I did my own & can send you a copy if you need one. Just a statement in common sense really that you’ve done a risk assessment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 @Conor, I completely understand your situation here. I wasn't sure legally if I needed insurance, but I see what you are saying about damage to vehicles on site or people. There is no issue with neighbouring properties given the size of the site, or issues with the road. It could be done by hand, but I think a machine is required to do it properly on my job. The idea here is to get planning in place, then knock the house down. I have a grab hire provider who has already said they can take away the waste. Looks like the £12k quote I have from a firm....I could for for atleast 5k cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 18 minutes ago, Bornagain said: We got a guy who knocked down our old house by hand as he wanted the bricks. He did it for nowt, and was easily the mosy dangerous contractor that I have ever seen or heard of. He started the work until a few days before Christmas and was finished very early in the new year - he did it then because in his words " the council and the HSE will be on holiday" The knackered bricks (of which there were many) went on the back of a farm trailer to a farmer for his tracks The timber was burned on site. Metal went to the scrapyard. Everything else went to the tip. Cost = £0. Took a couple of weeks. Had the guy had an accident then you would be responsible as the employer, doesnt matter that he doing it without cash changing hands. as for the rest - well done, fantastic saving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Nothing stopping you at all, just don’t kill anybody, and if you do make sure nobody sees you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timedout Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Demolition is notifiable to building control. Check the requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan F Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 5 minutes ago, Timedout said: Demolition is notifiable to building control. Check the requirements. In area area at least you need to submit a demolition notice and obtain a demolition license before you can start. The requirements for this were: 1) Site Plan 2) Planning Permission 3) Asbestros Type 3 Survey 4) Full demolition method statement. (You also need to inform gas/electricity suppliers.) The demolition license then has some conditions about burning things etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshy Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 3 minutes ago, Dan F said: In area area at least you need to submit a demolition notice and obtain a demolition license before you can start. The requirements for this were: 1) Site Plan 2) Planning Permission 3) Asbestros Type 3 Survey 4) Full demolition method statement. (You also need to inform gas/electricity suppliers.) The demolition license then has some conditions about burning things etc.. From what I understand, there is a big difference in theory & practise when it comes to demolition notices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 1 hour ago, Timedout said: Demolition is notifiable to building control. Check the requirements. will do, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 1 hour ago, Russell griffiths said: Nothing stopping you at all, just don’t kill anybody, and if you do make sure nobody sees you. Good point, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozza Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 4 hours ago, Internet Know How said: @Conor, I completely understand your situation here. I wasn't sure legally if I needed insurance, but I see what you are saying about damage to vehicles on site or people. There is no issue with neighbouring properties given the size of the site, or issues with the road. It could be done by hand, but I think a machine is required to do it properly on my job. The idea here is to get planning in place, then knock the house down. I have a grab hire provider who has already said they can take away the waste. Looks like the £12k quote I have from a firm....I could for for atleast 5k cheaper A few of us here did ours for free. Is it a big house. What’s it made of. Have you a couple of spare weeks etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone West Posted August 28, 2020 Share Posted August 28, 2020 On 25/08/2020 at 14:26, Internet Know How said: Are there any restrictions around self demolishing a detached house on a plot I own providing I…. I asked Building Control what they wanted and they said a notice to demolish form completed. So I sent that in and then proceeded to take the bungalow apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 On 25/08/2020 at 20:12, Bozza said: A few of us here did ours for free. Is it a big house. What’s it made of. Have you a couple of spare weeks etc. If I had the time I would do it myself and fill the skips. Saying that, I am just about to finish a job and not sure when the next is starting. Thanks for all the replies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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