Cost to Remove Old Shed

How Much Does Shed Removal Cost?

Ensuring your garden shed is kept in good shape is not only important for the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space, but it’s integral if you want to keep the items you store in it safe from the elements. Broken shed structures can also pose a safety risk as they are liable to fall with little warning if their stability has been compromised over the years.

What’s more, if the shed is particularly old and has asbestos in its composition, exposure to this substance can have devastating impacts.

The number one question when removing an old shed is: how much will it cost? On average, a mid-sized shed removal in the UK will cost around £350.

To give you a better idea of the budget you may need for this project, here are some shed removal prices to consider:

For a straightforward old garden shed dismantling and removal, you’ll pay between £325 and £350. The cost will increase or decrease based on the size and overall condition.

If you know that your shed contains asbestos, your trader must be made aware of this. They will need to remove it in a different way to ensure the safety of themselves and those in the surrounding area, as the material is hazardous when inhaled. Due to the risks, the price will be increased for this task, averaging somewhere between £450 and £600 for dismantling and removal.

Perhaps you have a summerhouse that has seen better days. Removing this can cost anywhere from £500 to £1,400, depending on the size and condition, with larger, more complex structures commanding the highest prices.

Lastly, if your old shed is in a fixable condition, you can opt for a simple roof repair or replacement instead of a full removal which can help to trim down your project cost. This is charged by m² but will typically be around £150 for labour and materials for an average-sized garden roof.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Shed Removal

Our prices above show a range–and here’s why. The cost of removing a shed can vary based on the following factors:

Size of the Shed

The bigger the shed, the higher the price, and vice versa–this is simply because it will take longer to dismantle and remove a larger structure than it would a smaller structure.

Condition of the Shed

If your shed is in terrible condition and falling apart, you’re in luck—it will likely cost less to dismantle and remove than a newer, more sturdy structure, as it will take your contractor less time. However, you need to be mindful of the materials used in the construction, which we will cover next.

Shed Material and Presence of Hazardous Materials

Stronger materials are harder to dismantle and remove–so if you have a brick structure, it’ll be more expensive than a timber structure.

Asbestos was a popular construction material used for its strength and cheapness. However, we now know the risks the material carries, and if you are trying to remove a structure that contains it you will need to hire a professional to do so in a safe and controlled way.

If inhaled, asbestos dust can cause diseases–and this risk is why the cost to remove an old shed with asbestos is far higher than removing a simple timber structure. If you know asbestos is present, it is important not to cut corners with this type of removal, and it isn’t something you should DIY to save money.

Ease of Access

While this may not be your number one consideration, the ease of access to your property and to your garden space is a key factor in determining the price you will pay for shed demolition and removal.

If you live in a terraced house, for example, the ease of access to your garden is likely to be more limited than someone living in a detached property. As a result of this, your contractor may have to add on some extra costs to cover the additional time spent manoeuvring the old shed away from your property.

Similarly, if you live on a busy road without on-street parking or don’t have a driveway for the contractor to park on, you may have to budget for a parking permit for the contractor’s vehicle to ensure they can carry out the required work.

Old Shed Removal Costs

Let’s take a closer look at some shed removal costs as well as some additional costs that may crop up as a result of the initial work:

Additional Costs

As with any home renovation project, there are also additional costs to be aware of. Here’s everything you need to know:

Disposal Fees and Skip Hire

Once your old shed has been dismantled, you’ll need to have it carried off-site to be disposed of. Your contractor may arrange this for you within their quote, but if they don’t, you’ll need to hire a skip to do the job.

Depending on the size of the skip, you can expect costs of between £180 to £320 for a mini skip (between 2-5 yards). You will need to be mindful of any excluded materials in the skip hire, as trying to dispose of prohibited materials can result in fines, bumping up your project costs even further.

Site Clearance

Once your shed has been removed, you may want to spruce up your entire garden area–and to do so, you’ll need to pay for garden clearance. This is a time-consuming, labour-intensive job that costs around £50 per hour or £210 per load.

Tree Removal

If you’re planning on having your garden landscaped once your old shed is dismantled and disposed of, you may want to book tree removal services at the same time. Tree removal is a highly skilled trade, and it isn’t something you should try to DIY.

Tree surgeons normally charge between £150 to £200 per day in labour, but you will usually need between two or three surgeons depending on the size of your tree, giving you a total fee of around £350 per day in labour costs alone.

New Shed Costs

If you’re simply looking to be out with the old and in with the new, you may want to consider adding a new shed installation to your project. This can cost anywhere from £600 to £1,500, depending on the shed material, size, and design complexity (e.g., whether or not it includes multiple windows, whether or not it has glass components, a pitched roof, etc.).

Permit Fees

If you live on a road without free parking or are without a driveway, you may have to pay for a parking permit for your contractors while they work on your property. This will also be the case with your skip hire, if necessary, as you will need a permit from your local council to store it on the roadside.

These charges differ depending on your county but can range from £25 to £35 for one week, with a typically lower charge for subsequent weeks.

Labour Costs and Time Frames

While we all want our jobs done as quickly as possible, considering the surrounding garden area will help to give you an idea of your expected timeframe. If you have a particularly overgrown garden, with tricky ease of access, and a shed structure with suspected asbestos in it, you’ll have a much longer time frame than someone with a simple timber structure in a maintained garden.

The average garden shed removal takes 2 to 3 hours for a timber or metal structure. Brick or concrete will take longer due to their strength. If asbestos is present, it will take significantly longer due to the extra safety precautions required, taking up to and over a day in some scenarios.

The costs we have detailed above for shed removal are representative combined prices, including both labour and materials, presenting as a flat fee. However, some contractors may prefer to charge more flexible fees with hourly rates instead.

In these cases, labour can cost anything from £15 to £30 per hour, with higher costs linked with trickier projects and stronger shed materials.

How to Dismantle a Shed

When hiring a professional contractor to take care of your old shed removal, these are the steps they’re likely to take:

1. Assess the Shed Structure
   
   Before starting, your contractor will assess your old shed to determine the best way to dismantle and remove it. This will be done on a case-by-case basis, and if any hazardous materials are suspected, the contractor will take the necessary steps to ensure a safe removal process.
   
   
2. Empty the Shed’s Contents
   
   Once the contractor is happy with the materials, they can start the demolition process. If the shed is not already empty upon the contractor’s arrival, their first job will be to remove any items stored in the structure.
   
   If you can remove the items yourself prior to your contractor’s arrival, it’s a great way to reduce your project fees, as you will save money on their labour.
   
   
3. Remove the Windows and Doors
   
   Once empty, the contractor will start dismantling the shed structure, beginning with the windows and doors. If the windows are glass, extra care will be taken to ensure the material doesn’t smash during the process, typically removing them first before moving on.
   
   
4. Remove the Roof
   
   When the doors and any windows are safely removed, your contractor will move on to tackle the shed roof. Depending on your roof’s material, the steps will be slightly different, and your contractor will use a number of tools to work the materials loose.
   
   
5. Remove the Walls
   
   With the shed roof, doors and windows all removed, the time has come to remove the structure’s walls. These will likely be secured with nails, so it can prove a lengthy process. Depending on the shed size, more than one contractor may be needed to ensure the dismantling is carried out safely and controlled so that no walls fall down unexpectedly during the process.
   
   
6. Waste Removal and Disposal
   
   Once everything has been dismantled successfully, it’s time to start clearing up your garden space. If it’s included in your project fee, your contractor(s) will start taking the waste materials to the skip or other container for safe disposal.
   
   Depending on your property’s ease of access, this can take variable lengths of time, with higher costs for longer time periods.
   
   
7. Future Work (New Shed, Landscaping or Garden Clearance)
   
   With your old shed removed, you may want to regain some square footage in your garden. If you have inherited a vastly overgrown garden, garden clearance might be the way to go to regain control over your outside space.
   
   However, if you want to replace your old shed with a newer, more sturdy model, you could have a new shed installed. Depending on the size, material, and complexity of the design, a new shed supply and installation can cost anywhere from £600 to £1,500.
   
   

DIY Shed Removal

Shed removal is something you can attempt as a DIY task if you are physically able to bear the weight of the different structural components and can lift them out of your garden.

But before you begin taking it apart, it is important to determine whether your existing shed structure shows any signs of asbestos. If it does, it is not something you can tackle as a DIY project and will require professional removal.

Asbestos was banned in 1999 as a construction material, so if you know your shed was built before this time, there is a risk it may contain the substance. If you are unsure about this step, it’s best to have a professional assess your old shed to give you peace of mind, as removing a structure with asbestos in it is not something you want to risk.

If you are sure that your old shed does not contain asbestos and you are physically capable of the work, you can attempt to dismantle and remove the structure yourself. However, it’s a good idea to have the help of another person for this job, especially when dismantling awkward components such as windows, doors and the roof.

You’ll typically need tools such as a screwdriver to remove screws and something to unhook pins (if you have a felt roof, for instance) such as pliers. You may need gloves for your hands to protect from any sharp edges or surfaces.

Regulations and Permits

If you’re hiring a skip to dispose of your old shed, you’ll need to ensure the skip is suitable for the type of material you wish to get rid of. Some of the main materials not permitted in skips are:

• Asbestos
• Liquids
• Gas cylinders
• Pressurised containers

Out of this list, asbestos is the one you need to look out for the most when dismantling and removing your old shed. If you suspect or know for sure that your shed incorporates this material, you need to hire a professional asbestos remover to safely and properly dispose of it.

Failing to alert someone to the presence of asbestos or trying to dispose of it without being truthful is not recommended. For full information regarding asbestos removal and safety, visit the Health and Safety Executive website.

FAQs

Finding and Hiring a Professional

If the time has come to remove your old shed once and for all, hiring a professional contractor to do the job efficiently and safely is a great option.

You should always ask for a full breakdown of costs before any work begins. This prevents any hidden costs from cropping up and ensures that you know exactly what is–and isn’t–included by the contractor. Be sure to check if skip hire is included, as this will be an extra necessary cost if it’s not already factored in.

Take a look at the contractor’s credentials. Have they been in the industry for a while and have experience with a range of shed materials? Be sure to choose someone with a solid track record so that you get the best service possible.

Where possible, look at their references, reviews, and any photos/videos of their previous work to get an idea of their skills. If you need an asbestos specialist, make sure they have the necessary hazardous waste removal qualifications to ensure this is carried out safely and correctly.

Sources

https://www.skiphireuk.co.uk/blog/what-you-can-and-cant-put-in-your-skip
https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials