Most Perth homeowners planning a knock-down want one number first: how much does it cost to demolish a house in Perth? The honest answer is that it depends on the house, the block and what is hidden in the walls. A standard single house in Perth often falls somewhere between $15,000 and $25,000 to demolish and clear, but a small timber-framed home on an easy block with no asbestos can come in under that, and a large double-storey home with asbestos and tight access can cost well over it.
This guide explains what moves the price, which fees are set by the State Government, and how to get a quote you can rely on.
Typical house demolition cost in Perth
As a rough guide for a full demolition and site clear in the Perth metro area:
- Single-storey house, good access, no asbestos: usually at the lower end of the $15,000 to $25,000 range.
- Larger or double-brick home, or limited access: usually towards the upper end of the range.
- Double-storey homes, homes with asbestos, pools or large slabs: often above the range, because they need more machine time, more waste handling or licensed asbestos removal.
- Partial demolition and internal strip-outs: priced on the work involved. See our guide to partial and internal demolition in Perth.
There is no reliable flat price per square metre. Two homes with the same floor area can differ by thousands of dollars once you factor in the materials, the access and the asbestos.
What affects the cost of demolishing a house
Size, storeys and construction
A bigger home takes longer to pull down and produces more waste. Double-brick homes, common across Perth, are heavier to load and cart than timber-framed or fibro homes. Concrete slabs, deep footings, basements and retaining walls all add time.
Site access and the neighbours
Machinery needs room to work. Narrow driveways, battle-axe blocks, shared boundary walls, mature trees and overhead power lines all slow the job down. Homes on busy roads may need traffic management. We also allow for protecting neighbouring fences, walls and driveways.
Asbestos and other hazardous materials
Asbestos has been banned in Australia since 31 December 2003, and homes built or renovated before the late 1980s are highly likely to contain it, in eaves, wet areas, fencing, roofing and vinyl floors. It must be identified and removed before demolition, by a licensed removalist where the type or quantity of asbestos requires a licence. In WA, removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable (bonded) asbestos at a workplace needs at least a Class B licence, and any friable asbestos needs a Class A licence (WorkSafe WA). Read our guide to asbestos and demolition in Perth for more.
Waste, recycling and tip fees
Demolition waste is heavy, and every tonne sent to a Perth metro landfill attracts the State’s waste levy on top of the tip’s own gate fee. The levy is $90 per tonne from 1 July 2026 (WA Government waste levy schedule). Sorting bricks, concrete, metal and green waste for recycling keeps that cost down, which is why a careful contractor separates materials on site.
Permits and service disconnections
A demolition permit is usually required in WA, unless an exemption applies, such as when the demolition is part of a renovation or extension covered by a building permit. For a house (a Class 1 building) or a shed or garage (Class 10), the application fee is $121, plus a Building Services Levy of $61.65 when the work is valued at $45,000 or less (Building and Energy fees). Read how demolition permits work in Perth.
Services must be disconnected before work starts. Electricity is abolished through your retailer, and demolition cannot start until Western Power leaves a “Disconnected for Demolition” notice in the meter box (Synergy). Gas is permanently disconnected through your gas retailer. Water Corporation handles the water meter, and many demolition companies arrange that for you (Water Corporation). Retailers may charge their own fees for these.
Extras that change the quote
- Removing trees and stumps
- Removing a swimming pool
- Taking out the slab, footings and any retaining walls
- Levelling the site for your builder
- Temporary fencing and dust control
What a fair demolition quote should include
When you compare quotes, check that each one covers the same work:
- A site inspection before the price is set
- The demolition permit application
- Coordination of power, gas and water disconnections
- An asbestos inspection, with any removal listed as its own line
- Machinery, labour and supervision
- Waste removal and recycling
- Removal of the slab and footings, if your builder needs a clear site
- Final clean-up and levelling
- Proof of public liability insurance and workers’ compensation cover
- A start date and an expected timeframe
A quote that leaves several of these out is not cheaper. It just moves the cost to later. Our guide to affordable residential demolition covers how to keep costs down without cutting corners.
How long does a house demolition take?
Once permits are approved and services are disconnected, a single-storey house is usually demolished and cleared in a few days. Larger and multi-storey homes take longer. In most cases the paperwork takes longer than the knock-down, so start the permit and disconnection process early, especially if you are on a knock-down rebuild timeline with your builder.
Get a written quote
Full Spectrum Demolition gives clear, written quotes after a site visit, with no hidden extras. We manage the permit, coordinate the disconnections, arrange licensed asbestos removal when it is needed and leave your block clean and ready to build. Learn more about our residential demolition services in Perth or request a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to demolish a single-storey or a double-storey house?
A single-storey house is usually cheaper. There is less material to remove, less waste to cart and less time on the machine.
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Perth?
Yes. Under the WA Building Act 2011, demolition work needs a demolition permit from your local government unless an exemption applies. We prepare and lodge the application as part of the job.
Who arranges the disconnection of power, gas and water?
The account holder requests the disconnections through their retailers, and your demolition contractor can coordinate the timing. Work cannot start until the electricity has been disconnected for demolition.
Is asbestos removal included in the demolition price?
Asbestos is identified first. Any removal is then shown as its own line in the quote, so you can see exactly what it costs.
Will the slab and footings be removed?
Your quote should say so. Most builders want a fully cleared site, so we confirm with you, and if needed your builder, before we price the job.