Here are some frequently asked questions about the demolition process. To help non-trade related people to organise a demolition.

Bayside House Demolition FAQS

With over ten years in Business, Bayside Demolition has dealt with a large number of House Demolition FAQS.  We understand not many customers have been through this process before; please use this list below to help you with the process.

How long does a demolition permit take to acquire?

A Demolition permit typically takes 4-6 weeks.  Demolition permits are required for most demolition works; find out if you need one here. To obtain a demolition permit, you require demolition consent (29a) from the local council. Most will return this within 3-6 weeks. Once the 29a has been approved, there are this and a number of documents that will need to be sent to a surveyor, who can then issue the permit.

How do I Disconnect and remove the gas and power meters?

Power and gas must be disconnected before demolition works can begin. If you are doing a Partial Demolition, you may not require the entire meter to be removed; you may be able to get an electrician to provide a CES for the works area. 

Bayside can perform disconnections of the power and gas. However, It is more cost-effective for the owner to organise the gas and power abolishment. Below are some steps to help with this process. 

Power meter removal

To remove your Power meter, there are a few steps required (if you are the current account holder, call your retailer).

1.  The First step is to get your service provider and meter number; see the image below.

2. Contact the service provider to see if there is an active retail account – If there is no active retailer, you can apply directly through the retailer by filling out a VESI form.

3. If there is an active retailer, you can (A) apply directly through that retailer or (B) Start a new account with your retailer of choice.

4. Follow up with the service provider to see if the abolishment has progressed.

5. Once the request is confirmed, contact your Demolition team so they can plan to get on sight once the meter is removed.

6. Ensure the property has unhindered access for the removal works to take place

Gas Meter removal

To get your Gas meter and Lines abolished, there are several steps you need to take.  Similar but slightly different from power (if you are the current account holder, call your retailer).

Get your gas meter number and service provider from your meter: see the image below.

1. Contact the gas distributor – One of the following;  Ausnet, AGN (formerly envestra) and Multinet.

2. Find out who the retailer is

3. You can (A) Request an abolishment through either retailer that holds the retail rights or  (B) Take over the account with your retailer of choice.  Option A is theoretically quicker; however, if the retailer has poor customer service, option B may be better.

4. Follow up to see if the abolishment has gone from the retailer to the service provider

5. Once the request is confirmed, contact your Demolition team so they can plan to get on sight once the meter is removed.

6. Ensure the property has unhindered access for the removal works to take place

Who needs to supply the security fencing?

Bayside will include the cost of site fencing for house demolitions; however, we suggest the most cost-effective and efficient way for the temporary fence is for the owner or builder to supply fencing from when the services are due off (when the services are abolished, this can increase the risk of trespassers), to when the build is complete. 

Due to the removal of boundary buildings, temporary fencing may need to be erected during demolition. If security fencing is supplied to us during demolition, we can erect it as it progresses. This can be purchased off Bayside, or you can supply your own temp fence to take its place. If you are unsure how much to order, ask your builder or us.

Do I need to notify my neighbours?

Legally for demolition, the neighbours will only need to be notified of the asbestos removal process unless protection works are required. However, if you wish to contact the neighbours in advance, we would strongly encourage this, but it is always best for the owner to handle the communication with the neighbours as we will not attend the site until work is due to commence. If the relationship is strained, please inform us; it is always helpful to be aware.

Is stump grinding included in tree removal?

For Bayside Demolition, it is. However, stumps on boundaries that removing could cause damage to nearby structures we may only remove to a level deemed safe. Please note not all demolishers will include stump grinding,

Do the demolition teams remove all the rubbish?

We remove all demolition-related rubbish and footings to 1.5ms; we don’t allow for domestic rubbish (e.g. furniture and food waste) when quoting but can do this upon request.

Quotes will include a site price clear, with a 40 mm shaker bucket as a sieve and then track roll the site. However, many builders require a site scrape. see what a site scrape is below; 

What is a site scrape?

A site scrape is removing the top 30-40mm of soil from the site, including grass and small debris; It is becoming more commonly required due to EPA requirements on dirt disposal. 

It is best to check with your builder if this is required; they may prefer the civil team to perform the site scrape.  It can take a little longer to calculate a quote, so many demolition companies won’t include in their standard quote.

Quotes will include a price for site clear, with a 40 mm shaker bucket as a sieve and then track roll the site. However, many builders require a site scrape.

Our quotes will include a non-itemised price for a site scrape and grass removal; this is to help you make the most economical decision during the build process.

Do I need a demolition permit? 

Any building over 40m2 will need a demolition permit. Even buildings under this 40m2 that are built using masonry will require a permit. However, getting a demolition permit is relatively easy for houses that do not have a heritage overlay.

Do I need to organise the 29a? 

No as part of the demolition permit, Bayside will organise the 29a (demolition consent) from the council.

Do I need an asset protection permit for demolition? (what is an asset protection permit?)

Asset Protection Permits are how your local council will ensure their assets (trees, footpaths, electrical pits) are not damaged during construction.  The requirements vary for each council. Some councils charge a bond, while others only have a set fee.

Some councils require an asset protection permit for demolition and building separately.  But before demolition works begin in all councils, you will need an asset protection permit in place, whether this is taken out by the builder, demolished or property owner.

Bayside Demolition recommends taking before and afters as the property owner or project manager and getting each subcontractor with heavy vehicles to also take before and after images.

Please not City of Greater Geelong require an asset protection permit for each demolition. Some councils will have their own house demolition FAQs that are specific to them.

How Much Does Demolition Cost?

Demolition costs can vary; most houses in Victoria will vary between 15-35 thousand. With key factors being Location, Size and structure type, we have created a demolition cost calculator. This tool can help you get an early estimate for your demolition cost.  

Are asbestos costs included? (How do I know if there is asbestos in the house?)

The asbestos cost will be included in the demolition price. However, we can only allow for the asbestos removal we can see and reasonably expect. In general, we can identify asbestos fairly accurately; the best way to know how much asbestos is in a property is with a Div 6 audit. Without this, some cement sheets produced in the 80s and 90s that may not be asbestos could be assumed asbestos ( if you are unsure if you have asbestos in your property, always assume it is until an expert can inspect and, when required, test). See below for how to find out any questions we missed

Comment, contact and ask your own House Demolition FAQS!

Finally, if this article has not been able to answer your house demolition FAQs, please get in touch with us here or leave a comment below, and a team member will be in touch.