Demolition and Strip-Outs for Tight Sydney Sites

Yes. The shared wall is usually kept, so the house is taken down by hand and machine in stages, working away from the neighbour. An engineer advises on propping, and the exposed wall is weatherproofed once our side is gone. A dilapidation report on the neighbouring home is done first.

Sometimes. Heritage items and many homes in heritage conservation areas usually need a Development Application rather than a CDC, and council may only approve demolition alongside an acceptable replacement design. We work to the conditions of whatever consent is granted.

We size the plant to the block. That can mean a compact excavator through the front, access from a rear lane, a crane lift for some items, or hand demolition near boundaries. Trucks are timed around the street and council kerbside rules.

Dust is kept down with water as the building comes apart, loads are covered, and noisy work stays within the hours in the approval. Neighbours are told when work starts and which days will be loudest.

It is a photographic record of the condition of neighbouring properties before work starts. On close city blocks it is strongly recommended and often a condition of approval. It gives everyone a clear baseline if a crack or mark is questioned later.

The address, photos of the building from the front, back and sides, photos of access points, and any approval, plans or survey you already have. For strip-outs, a list of what stays and what goes. For commercial work, the building rules and lease end date.