How to Prepare Your Property for a Demolition Project

Understanding the Demolition Process

Demolition might sound like the fun part—bring in the machines, knock it all down and get cracking on something new. But before the first brick comes loose, there’s a bit of groundwork to do. Whether you’re pulling down a tired old Queenslander in Brisbane, clearing a shopfront on the Gold Coast or making space for a new build out Ipswich way, good prep is what makes a smooth demolition.

At Coastal Demolitions we’ve helped homeowners, developers and businesses across South East Queensland get ready for demo day. From ticking the right boxes with council to disconnecting power and sorting out safety measures, we’ve got it handled—but it’s still handy to know what’s coming.

Different types of demolition (full, partial, selective)

Not every demolition is a total teardown. Depending on your plans, the type of demo you need can vary a fair bit.

• Full demolition means the entire structure comes down—walls, roof, slab, everything
• Partial demolition might mean removing just the back half of a home or stripping out an old extension
• Selective demolition is more precise—often part of a renovation where you’re keeping certain features and removing others

We’ll walk you through this at the start. Once we know what’s staying and what’s going, we can plan the safest, cleanest way to get it done.

Legal and Permit Requirements

Obtaining the necessary demolition permits

You’ll need a demolition permit before anything starts. In South East Queensland, this comes through your local council and usually depends on things like the age of the building, where it’s located and what kind of structure it is.

We’ve dealt with councils from Brisbane to Logan, the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast and everywhere in between. We know what paperwork they need and how to get it sorted quickly. It’s just one less thing for you to worry about.

Trying to get a permit without the right plans or documentation can hold everything up. We’ll make sure it’s done properly from the start so you’re not stuck waiting around.

Checking zoning laws and environmental regulations

Depending on where your property sits, there might be other rules to follow—like environmental overlays, heritage listings or bushfire zones. If your site’s near a creek, in a coastal buffer zone or marked for heritage value, you’ll likely need extra steps before we can start swinging tools.

We’re across all the usual zoning quirks around SE QLD. Whether you’re in Redlands, Moreton Bay or the Hinterland, we’ll let you know what’s needed and help you navigate the process without the drama.

Preparing the Property for Demolition

Disconnecting utilities and services

One of the first jobs is shutting off services. Electricity, gas, water, sewer and phone lines all need to be properly disconnected—no exceptions.

We take care of this for you. Our team works directly with service providers like Energex, Urban Utilities and Telstra to get everything safely disconnected before work begins. If you’ve got solar panels or a rainwater system, we’ll include those in the plan too.

It’s a small step, but a critical one. Getting this sorted early means there’s no risk of live wires or leaking pipes when machines hit the ground.

Removing hazardous materials (asbestos, lead paint, etc.)

If your property was built before the 90s, there’s a fair chance it could contain asbestos or lead paint. You won’t always see it, but it’s often hidden in cladding, old tiles, eaves or fencing.

Coastal Demolitions is fully licensed to handle asbestos removal. We don’t just point it out and leave you to it—we manage the whole thing, from testing and safe removal to air monitoring and clearance certificates.

It’s something we take seriously and so should you. Handling hazardous materials safely is part of our job and we’re proud to do it by the book.

Salvaging valuable materials before demolition

Before the site’s cleared, it’s worth having a wander through and flagging anything you’d like to keep. Old hardwood floors, VJ walls, timber doors, windows, even light fittings—there’s often something worth saving.

We’ll help you salvage what matters before the heavy machinery rolls in. Whether you want to reuse it in your next build, donate it or just hang onto a piece of history, we’re happy to help.

Safety Precautions and Final Checklist

Ensuring safety for workers and surrounding areas

Safety isn’t just part of the job—it’s the core of everything we do. Before any work begins, we put together a detailed safety plan for the site. That covers fencing, signage, machine access, dust control and anything else needed to protect people and property.

If the job’s near a busy street, a school or other businesses, we’ll include traffic control and make sure the site’s secure at all times. Everyone on our team is trained, licensed and ready to handle the job the right way.

You won’t need to worry about a thing—we’ve done this hundreds of times and know exactly how to keep things safe and tidy from start to finish.

Communication with neighbours and local authorities

Letting your neighbours know what’s happening goes a long way. A quick heads-up about what to expect—noise, hours of work, how long it’ll take—can help avoid complaints and keep everyone onside.

We can handle that communication for you. In some cases, the council will require formal notice to be given to nearby residents. We’ll take care of those letters and any required notifications, including emergency services or other authorities if needed.

If your site shares a driveway, fence or easement with a neighbour, we’ll help you plan access so there are no headaches once we’re underway.

Preparing for demolition doesn’t have to be stressful or confusing. With Coastal Demolitions, you get a local crew that knows the area, understands the rules and genuinely cares about doing the job right. We’ve helped clients from Noosa to Nerang, Ipswich to the islands and we bring that experience to every job.

If you’re thinking about a demolition project, let’s have a chat. We’ll walk you through it, sort the paperwork and make sure everything’s ready to go—no worries.

Preparing for demolition? Contact Coastal Demolitions for expert guidance on making the process smooth and stress-free.