Commercial demolition is different from knocking down a house. The buildings are bigger, the services are more complex, there are often tenants or the public nearby, and the paperwork is heavier. Whether you need a full commercial demolition, a soft strip-out at the end of a lease or an internal strip-out before a new fit-out, this guide explains how the work is done in Perth and what to plan for.
Commercial demolition and strip-outs in Perth: types of work
Full commercial demolition
Removing an entire commercial or industrial building, from small retail premises to warehouses and factory buildings, down to a clear site ready for redevelopment.
Soft strip-out
A soft strip removes the non-structural parts of a building: ceilings, partitions, floor coverings, joinery, fixtures and building services. It is often the first stage before a full demolition, so that materials can be separated and recycled before the structure comes down.
Internal strip-out for a new fit-out
Removing an old fit-out so a new tenant can move in, or returning a tenancy to its base building condition at the end of a lease. The building stays in use and the work has to fit around it.
Partial and selective demolition
Removing part of a commercial building, such as a mezzanine, an awning, internal walls or an extension, while the rest stays standing.
Licences and WorkSafe requirements
In WA, demolition work is generally licensed by WorkSafe under the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022, which set out Class 1 and Class 2 demolition licences (WA Government). The regulations also require notice to be given to the regulator for certain demolition work. Ask any contractor for their licence details, insurance certificates and safe work method statements before you engage them.
A demolition permit from the local government is usually needed for full or structural demolition. A non-structural internal strip-out may not need one, so the approval pathway is confirmed for each job. For Class 2 to Class 9 buildings, which covers most commercial buildings, the application fee is $121 for each storey, plus the Building Services Levy (Building and Energy). Read more about how demolition permits work in Perth.
Asbestos registers come first
An asbestos register is required for workplaces in buildings constructed before 31 December 2003, unless no asbestos has been identified (WorkSafe WA). Before a strip-out or demolition, we review the register and make sure any asbestos in the work area is removed by a licensed removalist. Licensed removal work must be notified to WorkSafe at least five days before it starts (WorkSafe WA). See our guide to asbestos and demolition in Perth.
Working around a live building
Many commercial strip-outs happen in shopping centres, office buildings and industrial estates that stay open. Planning for that includes:
- Agreeing work hours with the building manager, including after-hours work for noisy tasks
- Isolating services safely, so the rest of the building keeps power, water, fire services and air-conditioning
- Dust and noise control, and protecting common areas and lifts
- Managing deliveries, bins and truck movements around other tenants
- Keeping fire exits and access paths clear at all times
Recycling and waste
Commercial buildings contain a lot of recoverable material: steel, concrete, aluminium, copper, timber and plasterboard. Separating these on site sends less to landfill, where the WA waste levy is $90 per tonne from 1 July 2026 (WA Government).
How commercial demolition is priced
Every commercial job is quoted on its own scope. The main factors are:
- The size, height and construction of the building
- Whether the job is a full demolition, a soft strip or an internal strip-out
- Asbestos and other hazardous materials in the register
- Access, working hours and how much of the building stays in use
- Service isolation and any make-good requirements in the lease
- The volume of waste and how much can be recycled
Our commercial demolition process
- Site inspection and scope. We walk the site, review the asbestos register and drawings, and confirm what is coming out and what stays.
- Planning and approvals. We plan the work, prepare the safety documentation, lodge the demolition permit where one is needed and coordinate with the building manager.
- Isolation and protection. Services are isolated and areas that stay in use are protected.
- Strip-out and demolition. Soft strip first, then structural demolition where required, with materials separated for recycling.
- Clean-up and handover. The site is cleared and handed back clean, level and ready for the next stage.
Talk to Full Spectrum Demolition
From retail shops to larger commercial and industrial sites, Full Spectrum Demolition handles commercial demolition and strip-outs across Perth with a strong focus on safety, compliance and minimal disruption. See our commercial demolition services, or request a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a soft strip and a strip-out?
A soft strip removes the non-structural parts of a building, usually before a full demolition. A strip-out usually means removing an old fit-out so the space can be refitted or returned to base building at the end of a lease. The work is similar, but the outcome is different.
Can a strip-out be done while the rest of the building is open?
Yes. It needs careful planning with the building manager, safe service isolation, dust and noise control, and agreed working hours, often including after-hours work.
Do I need an asbestos register before a commercial strip-out?
If the building was constructed before 31 December 2003, a workplace asbestos register is required unless no asbestos has been identified. It must be reviewed before any demolition or strip-out work starts.