Structure & Site
Demolition Estimating Services in New Zealand
Demolition and strip-out quantities by material, with disposal volumes and hazardous material allowances shown separately.
Demolition is priced on what is being removed, how it comes apart and where it goes. A strip-out of plasterboard and carpet costs very differently to breaking out a reinforced concrete slab, and both are affected by access, recycling options and any hazardous materials found along the way.
We measure demolition and strip-out by element and material: roofing, cladding, framing, linings, floor coverings, concrete, masonry and services. Volumes and weights are estimated for disposal, and materials that can be recycled, such as steel, concrete and clean timber, are separated so you can price disposal accurately.
We estimate full demolitions, partial demolitions for alterations, commercial strip-outs and soft strips before refurbishment.
Scope
What we measure in a demolition takeoff
| Item | Unit | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Roof and cladding removal | m² | By material type. |
| Internal strip-out | m² | Linings, ceilings, partitions and floor coverings. |
| Structural demolition | m² / m³ | Timber frame, masonry and concrete elements. |
| Slab and foundation breakout | m² / m³ | Including reinforcing for recycling. |
| Services disconnection | item | Allowances for making safe and capping services. |
| Disposal and recycling | m³ / t | Volumes by waste stream. |
| Asbestos allowances | m² / item | Provisional, based on the asbestos survey if provided. |
| Protection and making good | m² / lm | For partial demolitions next to retained areas. |
Deliverables
What you receive
Demolition estimates include a waste stream summary that supports your site waste management plan and helps you compare disposal and recycling options.
| Itemised quantity sheet | Excel + PDF |
| Marked-up plans | Colour-coded PDF |
| Material and labour schedule | Excel |
| Assumptions and exclusions list |
Who it is for
Built for the people who price the work
- Builders
- Price the demolition of an existing house before a rebuild on the same site.
- Subcontractors
- Demolition contractors can quote from a measured schedule of materials and volumes.
- Developers
- Budget for clearing a site with several older buildings, including likely asbestos.
- Architects
- Understand the cost of retaining versus replacing parts of an existing building.
Process
How a demolition estimate runs
STEP 01
Upload plans
Upload existing drawings, the demolition plan, photos and any asbestos survey.
STEP 02
Scope confirmation
We confirm the extent of demolition, retained elements and how hazardous materials should be treated.
STEP 03
Takeoff and review
Each element is measured, converted to disposal volumes and checked against the building's overall size.
STEP 04
Delivery
You receive the quantity sheet, waste stream summary, PDF and marked-up demolition plans.
New Zealand context
Standards and practice
Buildings constructed or altered before 2000 may contain asbestos. Under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, an asbestos survey is generally needed before demolition or refurbishment, and licensed removal is required for certain work. We price asbestos only from a survey or as a clearly labelled provisional allowance.
Demolition may also require a building consent or notification to the council, and some notifiable work must be reported to WorkSafe. These are your responsibility, but we flag where they are likely to apply.
We measure and price to the drawings. Design compliance and building consent remain with your designer and building consent authority.
Cost drivers
What drives the cost of demolition work
01
Hazardous materials
Asbestos removal can be a large part of a demolition budget. A survey before pricing turns an uncertain allowance into a measured quantity.
02
Method and access
Machine demolition on an open site is much faster than hand demolition next to a neighbour or inside a building that stays occupied.
03
Disposal and recycling
Landfill charges, recycling options and the distance to tip all affect cost. Separating waste streams can lower disposal costs and help meet waste targets.
04
Retained elements
Partial demolition needs protection, propping and careful separation from the parts being kept. These items are easy to overlook and we measure them separately.
Where demolition estimates go wrong
The biggest demolition surprises are hidden: asbestos in old linings, vinyl and soffits, contaminated soil, buried tanks or old foundations below the slab. A survey and a careful read of the drawings reduce the risk, but contingencies are still sensible.
Disposal is the other underestimated item. Volumes increase once materials are broken up, and mixed waste costs more to dispose of than sorted waste. We estimate loose volumes so your skip and truck counts are realistic.
FAQ
Demolition Estimating questions
Can you estimate demolition without drawings?
Yes, from photos, a measured survey or a site sketch with dimensions. The estimate will state the assumptions made.
Do you price asbestos removal?
We can measure areas from an asbestos survey. Without a survey, we include a provisional allowance and recommend one is carried out.
Do you separate recyclable materials?
Yes. Steel, concrete and clean timber are reported separately so you can price recycling instead of landfill.
Do you estimate soft strips?
Yes. Soft strips of linings, ceilings, services and finishes are a common request ahead of refurbishment.
Can you include temporary propping for partial demolition?
We can include allowances. The propping design itself is by an engineer.
Related services
- Earthwork Estimating
Cut and fill volumes, topsoil strip and engineered fill quantities, calculated from your existing and design levels.
- Excavation Estimating
Detailed excavation quantities for footings, basements, trenches and pits, with backfill, disposal and support measured separately.
- Construction Estimating
A complete, trade-by-trade cost estimate built from your drawings, so you can price, tender or test feasibility with confidence.
- Commercial Estimating
Measured estimates for offices, retail, fit-outs and mixed-use buildings, packaged by trade so you can tender subcontractors cleanly.
Get a quote
Send your plans for a demolition estimate
Upload your drawings and we will reply with a fixed fee and turnaround before any work starts. No obligation.
- — PDF, DWG and ZIP accepted
- — Fees in NZD, excluding GST
- — Prefer email? Use the link in the footer