How Much Demolition Waste Will I Generate?
Quick Answer
Strip-out: ~0.5–1m³ per room. Full demolition: 0.5–1 tonne per m²
Based on: Typical UK domestic properties, masonry construction
Internal Strip-Out Waste
- Per room (average): 0.5–1m³ (plaster, fittings, flooring)
- Kitchen strip-out: 2–4m³ (units, worktops, flooring, plaster)
- Bathroom strip-out: 1–2m³ (tiles, sanitaryware, plasterboard)
- Full house strip-out (3-bed): 8–15m³
Full Structural Demolition
- Single-storey masonry: 0.5–0.8 tonnes per m² floor area
- Two-storey masonry: 0.8–1.2 tonnes per m² ground floor area
- Timber-framed: 0.3–0.5 tonnes per m²
- Garage/outbuilding: 5–15 tonnes depending on size
Waste Types and Disposal
- Inert waste (brick, concrete, stone): Can be crushed and reused on site. Cheapest disposal.
- Timber: Segregate for recycling or biomass. Clean timber is free/cheap to dispose of.
- Plasterboard: Must be recycled separately (cannot go to landfill).
- Mixed waste: Most expensive to dispose of. Minimise by segregation.
- Hazardous (asbestos, lead paint): Specialist licensed disposal required.
Skip Requirements
- Single room strip-out: Mini or midi skip (2–4yd³)
- Full house strip-out: 2–3 builder’s skips (6yd³)
- Garage demolition: Large skip (8yd³) or roll-on/roll-off
- House demolition: Multiple roll-on/roll-off skips (20–40yd³)
Last updated: April 2026