Demolition is the first step in any renovation — and is often overlooked in the budget. View current prices for wall demolition, floor removal, skip hire and asbestos remediation.
| Demolition work | Unit | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolish non-load-bearing interior wall | per wall | €150 – €500 | Plasterboard or sand-lime brick, incl. removal |
| Remove load-bearing wall | per wall | €800 – €3,000+ | Incl. steel frame; structural engineer always required |
| Remove tiled floor / tiles | per m² | €8 – €18 | Higher with thick sand-cement bed |
| Remove wooden floor / parquet | per m² | €5 – €12 | Click flooring faster than glued parquet |
| Remove laminate / PVC flooring | per m² | €3 – €8 | Quick to remove; click or loose-laid |
| Remove wall tiles | per m² | €10 – €22 | Incl. chipping/levelling the substrate |
| Strip plasterwork | per m² | €8 – €20 | High dust production; shielding required |
| Full bathroom strip-out | per room | €600 – €1,500 | Sanitaryware, tiles, ceiling — incl. removal |
| Kitchen removal | per room | €250 – €600 | Incl. disconnecting utilities (gas/water) |
| Ceiling removal (suspended ceiling) | per m² | €6 – €15 | Metal grid framework + panels |
Suitable for stripping 1 bathroom or kitchen. Mixed construction waste or rubble. 1–5 working days hire.
Ideal for a complete renovation (bathroom + floor + walls). Most popular size.
For larger renovations or demolition projects. Suitable for rubble, plasterboard and mixed waste.
Small demolition waste taken away directly by the contractor in their own van; convenient for smaller jobs without a skip.
Homes built before 1994 may contain asbestos. Demolition work without an asbestos survey in this type of property is prohibited by law when more than 10 m³ of waste is produced or if asbestos is suspected.
| Step | What does it involve? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Asbestos survey | SC-540 certified company inspects suspect materials and prepares a report | €200 – €500 |
| 2. Asbestos remediation (bonded) | Corrugated sheets, floor tiles, siding — fibre cement that does not release dust | €500 – €2,000 |
| 3. Asbestos remediation (non-bonded) | Loose fibres in insulation, ductwork — highest risk category | €2,000 – €5,000+ |
| 4. Clearance air test | Post-remediation air measurement by an independent laboratory | €150 – €400 |
Floor tiles (PVC with felt backing, thermoplastic tiles), ceiling tiles, corrugated sheets (sheds or roof cladding), pipe insulation, garage panels (Eternit), roof slates and cavity wall insulation.
Asbestos remediation may only be carried out by an SC-530 certified company. Verify the certificate via the register at ascert.nl.
| Task | DIY? | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Remove plasterboard | ✅ Yes | €150 – €300 |
| Remove laminate / PVC | ✅ Yes | €50 – €200 |
| Remove kitchen cabinets | ✅ Yes (not gas/water) | €100 – €250 |
| Remove tiles | ⚠️ Partly (not if asbestos) | €200 – €500 |
| Strip plasterwork | ⚠️ Yes, but heavy dust | €100 – €400 |
| Demolish load-bearing wall | ❌ No — structural engineer + professional | — |
| Remove gas or water pipes | ❌ No — certified installer | — |
| Asbestos remediation | ❌ No — SC-530 required | — |
Demolishing a non-load-bearing interior wall (plasterboard or sand-lime brick) costs €150–€500 including waste removal and preparation. Removing a load-bearing wall is more complex and costs €800–€3,000 or more, including installation of a steel frame or concrete beam as replacement. Always consult a structural engineer for load-bearing walls.
Interior demolition work (walls, floors, bathroom stripping) does not require a permit. You do need a demolition notification or environmental permit for: demolition work producing more than 10 m³ of demolition waste, presence of asbestos (asbestos survey always mandatory before demolition), and for listed/heritage buildings. Check via Omgevingsloket.nl.
Asbestos may be present in homes built before 1994. Common locations include: corrugated roof sheets, floor coverings (tiles), ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and sheet materials (Eternit, asbestos cement). Have a certified asbestos survey company (SC-540 certified) prepare a report before you start demolition. This costs €200–€500.
Simple demolition work without asbestos (removing plasterboard, clearing floor coverings, breaking up tiles) you can do yourself, saving €200–€500. Load-bearing structures, asbestos remediation and demolishing gas or water pipes must NEVER be done yourself: this requires certified professionals. Don't forget waste removal either: a skip costs €150–€450.
Asbestos remediation costs €500–€5,000 for an average home, depending on the scope and type of asbestos. Bonded asbestos (e.g. corrugated roof sheets, floor tiles) is cheaper to remediate than non-bonded asbestos (loose fibres in insulation). A certified asbestos remediation company (SC-530) is mandatory. An asbestos survey is a separate step (€200–€500).
Hiring a skip for demolition waste costs €150–€450 depending on skip size (4, 6 or 10 m³), location and rental duration (1–5 working days is standard). Mixed construction and demolition waste: €150–€250 per skip. Rubble (concrete, masonry): €150–€300. Asbestos-containing material must be removed separately by a certified company.
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