When it’s time to tear a house down for demolition, many think the process is the same for both brick and timber structures, but that’s simply not the case. Demolishing a brick house versus a timber house is very different – both in the time it takes to do it and overall cost.

So which of the two is easier to demolish – brick or timber?

Generally, timber houses are easier to demolish than brick houses.

Here’s why.

• Lighter debris – Timber is typically lighter than brick, which makes it easier to take down and remove off-site. There are even some timber materials that can be demolished manually with small tools. Brick, on the other hand, is heavier and much more solid, which means it often requires heavy tools and machinery to demolish.

• Quick disassembly – Many parts of timber houses can be disassembled in parts and sections, making the demolition time shorter. Brick structures, meanwhile, often break apart in pieces, so they usually take longer to take down completely.

• Easier to salvage – Because they can be taken down largely intact or in large pieces, timber materials are easier to salvage and recycle. Brick can also be recycled, but they often require more time to collect and process than timber materials.

Which is Cheaper to Do?

Demolishing a timber house is generally cheaper than demolishing a brick house.

That’s because brick houses often require more time, tools, and labour to demolish. Because brick is more labour-intensive, it often requires more resources to take down. This increases the total cost of demolition.

Most timber house, on the other hand, can be demolished quickly and have plenty of salvageable materials to resell or recycle, which can help offset the costs of demolition.

But if you have a brick house you want to be taken down, don’t worry. You can maximise your savings in brick house demolitions if you work with experts who have the experience and expertise to tear it down efficiently with minimal waste.

At 3D Demo, we can demolish both timber and brick houses efficiently, helping you save time and money on your project.

Is Timber Always Easier and Cheaper to Demolish?

Not always. Although timber houses are generally easier and cheaper to take down, this is not true in every case.

Every property is different, and the total cost and difficulty of its demolition will depend on several factors. Demolishing a timber house with asbestos, for example, could end up costing more than demolishing a small brick house because of the added costs of asbestos removal and disposal.

Other factors to consider include the size of your house, its location, the slope of the land on your property, and other structures you want to take down (e.g. trees).

To get an accurate estimate of how much demolitions will cost, we always recommend consulting with experienced demolition experts to get a better idea.

If you need advice for demolishing your brick or timber house, have a chat with us to find out more. We can demolish any type of house quickly and safely, whether it’s made of brick, timber, concrete or any other material.