Choosing a demolition and rebuild contractor
Demolition in a dense neighbourhood needs care. Ask contractors how they protect shared walls, control dust and manage noise. Ask whether they demolish by hand or with machinery and why.
For the rebuild, the same checks apply as for any new house: look at running sites, check workmanship and confirm experience with your plot size and society.
Ask about their plan for traffic and access too. In older, narrower streets, demolition machinery, debris trucks and later material deliveries need careful timing so neighbours are not blocked in.
- Method for protecting neighbouring structures
- Plan for dust, noise and debris
- Experience with demolition and new builds
- Familiarity with your society's rules
Contracts and payments
Split the contract into demolition and rebuild, even if one contractor does both. For demolition, agree what salvage belongs to whom, as reusable steel, doors and fittings have value. Some contractors adjust their price for salvage they keep.
For the rebuild, tie payments to finished stages and attach the new drawings and specifications. Agree in writing who is responsible for any damage to neighbouring property.
Agree a timeline for clearing debris after demolition. Piles of rubble left on the plot or the street can lead to complaints and, in some societies, penalties.
Safety and quality on site
Demolition should start only after gas and electricity are safely disconnected. Workers need basic protective equipment, and the site should be fenced to keep the public away.
Once the rebuild starts, follow normal construction checks: steel before pours, concrete curing, brickwork and services before plaster. Survey neighbouring walls before demolition and keep photos in case of later disputes.
Rebuilding also gives you the chance to fix problems the old house had: poor drainage, low plinth height, weak waterproofing or an awkward layout. Raise these with your architect before drawings are finalised.
- Utilities disconnected before work starts
- Site fenced and signposted
- Neighbouring walls photographed beforehand
- Regular engineer checks during rebuild
