What is site clearance and demolition?
Site clearance is getting a piece of ground ready for work. That can mean removing vegetation, old hard surfaces, buried rubble and topsoil, then digging out to the depth the new work needs. Demolition is taking down structures, from a garden wall or shed to larger buildings, and clearing away what's left.
Done well, it leaves a safe, level and well-prepared site so the groundwork that follows can start straight away.
When do you need it?
- Before a new driveway, patio or extension
- When a garage, outbuilding or wall has reached the end of its life
- On a plot or development site that's overgrown or full of old material
- Before roads, drainage or foundations on a commercial project
General guidance: buildings put up before 2000 may contain asbestos, and an asbestos refurbishment and demolition survey is needed before they're demolished. Some demolitions also have to be notified to the local council in advance. Check with your local council before planning a demolition.
What's included
- Clearing vegetation, rubbish and old surfaces
- Taking down structures
- Excavating to level with machines sized for the site
- Separating and removing waste
- Leaving the ground ready for the next trade
How we work
We look at the site first: what's there, how we get machines in, what's above and below ground, and what needs protecting. Services such as cables and pipes are located before digging. Then we clear in a planned order, keeping access safe and the site tidy as we go.
On our driveway project, a mini excavator dug out the old drive before the membrane went down. On our housing development project, a larger excavator dug service trenches between new buildings.
For households and for commercial clients
Households: we clear gardens, drives and old outbuildings ahead of new work, using compact machines that fit through side access where possible.
Commercial clients: for developers, housing estates, industrial sites and councils, we can prepare plots and clear ground before foundations and drainage. More on our commercial work.
Photos from our jobs
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission to knock down a building?
It depends on the building and where it is. Some demolitions must be notified to the local council, and listed buildings and conservation areas have their own rules. Check with your local council before you plan any demolition.
What about asbestos?
If the building is from before 2000, an asbestos refurbishment and demolition survey is needed first. Any asbestos found must be dealt with by the right specialists before demolition goes ahead.
Can you get a digger into my back garden?
Often, yes. Mini excavators can fit through narrow side access. We'll check widths and ground protection when we visit.
What happens to the waste from a cleared site?
We separate materials where we can, such as soil, hardcore, green waste and general waste, and take them away. Your quote will set out how waste is dealt with.
