Demolition day itself is fast: most single-storey homes come down in one to three days once machines are on site.
What takes longer is everything around it. Between an accepted quote and a cleared block, most jobs run two to four weeks once the demolition permit is ready and power and gas have been properly abolished — not just switched off.
Here's exactly where that time goes.
How long demolition day actually takes
Once the machines arrive, a straightforward single-storey house is usually down in one to three days, depending on the size of the building, how many footings and outbuildings are involved, and whether there's a pool or basement to deal with. Larger or more complex jobs — double storeys, multiple structures, in-ground pools — can take longer.
This is the part most people picture when they think about "demolition," and it's also the shortest part of the whole process.
The full timeline, step by step
Everything from an accepted quote to a cleared, build-ready block generally follows this order:
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Contract, checklist and permit paperwork lodged | Starts immediately after the 10% deposit |
| Demolition permit issued | Roughly 3 to 4 weeks, longer if a neighbouring protection work notice is needed |
| Power and gas abolishment | Up to 4 weeks — arranged directly with your provider, not just a disconnection |
| WorkSafe asbestos notification | 5 business days' notice, required before any asbestos removal begins |
| Timber salvage strip-out | About 1 day, shortly before the machines arrive |
| Demolition (machines on site) | 1 to 3 days for a typical single-storey home |
| Site handover | Immediately after demolition — see below |
The permit and the power/gas abolishment run in parallel, not one after the other, which is why the whole process usually lands at two to four weeks from when the permit is ready and services are abolished — not the sum of every stage added together.
Why the permit stage takes longest
A demolition permit can't be issued without a Section 29A report — a heritage check from your council. It's not a separate approval you can skip; it's built into the permit application itself, and a demolition permit cannot be obtained without it.
A demolition permit is required for any habitable or masonry structure, and for sheds over 60m². It can only be obtained by a licensed demolisher — one of the reasons unlicensed operators can leave the property owner exposed to fines and legal consequences, since the permit application has to go through someone properly licensed regardless of who ends up doing the physical work.
Power and gas take longer than most people expect. "Abolishment" isn't the same as disconnection — it's the formal process of having the service permanently removed from the property, and it can take close to a month. It's worth lodging the gas, NBN and power abolishment applications at the same time, and following up with the provider about a week after lodging to make sure the paperwork wasn't misplaced.
Asbestos and the five-day notice period
If asbestos is present, a licensed removalist has to notify WorkSafe at least five business days before removal work begins. Once removal is complete, an independent clearance certificate has to be issued before demolition can proceed — this is arranged as part of the job, not something the property owner has to organise separately.
After asbestos removal, a timber salvage crew comes through to strip out anything of reclaimable value before the machines arrive — usually within a couple of weeks of the asbestos stage, and about a day's work on its own. More on how asbestos removal works.
What "site handover" actually means
Once the building is down, the block is left bare corner to corner — groomed and track-rolled, with any neighbouring trees and shrubs overhanging the boundary pruned back to the fence line to a height of around 3 metres provided they are not in the THX zone. It's meant to be a blank slate a builder can start on immediately, not just a pile of rubble removed.
Payment for the balance of the job is generally due shortly after completion — Dig Dig asks for a 10% deposit up front and the balance on completion, rather than the 30–50% some demolishers ask for before a single truck arrives on site.
Common questions
How long does it take to demolish a house?
Most single-storey house demolitions take one to three days on site once permits and any required asbestos clearance are complete. The stages before demolition day — permits, asbestos removal and service disconnection — usually take considerably longer than the demolition itself, typically two to four weeks in total once the permit is ready and power and gas have been abolished.
Why does the whole process take weeks if demolition only takes a few days?
Most of the time is spent on paperwork and compliance, not demolition. A building permit typically takes one to four weeks to obtain, asbestos removal requires five business days' notice to WorkSafe before work can start, and power and gas abolishment can take up to a month on its own. Demolition day itself is usually the fastest part of the whole process.
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Victoria?
Yes. A building permit is required for any habitable or masonry structure, and for sheds over 60m², and a Section 29A council report and consent forms part of that permit application. A licensed demolisher is required to obtain the permit.
Does asbestos removal delay the demolition timeline?
Yes, by design. Licensed asbestos removal requires five business days' notice to WorkSafe before work begins, and an independent clearance certificate must be issued before demolition can proceed. Most houses built before 1983 contain some asbestos, so it's worth budgeting this time in from the start rather than treating it as a delay.