Factory and light-industrial demolition in Sydney 2026 — pricing, hazmat, steel recovery and the EPA paperwork side.
Factory demolition isn't the same product as residential. Steel-frame portal factories drop fast and recover scrap value. Older brick/concrete factories with hazardous materials cost much more per m².
Pricing by Type
- Steel portal frame factory (under 1,000 m²): $40–$75/m²
- Steel portal frame factory (1,000–3,000 m²): $25–$55/m²
- Brick / concrete mixed-use factory: $65–$135/m² depending on hazmat
- Concrete tilt-up panel factory: +$20–$40/m² for panel handling
- Heavy industrial (food, chemical): add $20–$80/m² for plant decommissioning
Steel Recovery Credit
Clean structural steel returns $200–$420/tonne to recyclers depending on market. On 50+ tonne jobs this materially offsets the demolition cost. We segregate, weigh and sell direct.
Hazmat Considerations
- Bonded asbestos in cladding, roofing, internal sheeting
- Friable asbestos in pipe lagging
- Lead paint on structural steel
- PCBs in older transformers
- SMF in roof insulation
- Residual fuel, oil, or solvent contamination in slabs
EPA & SafeWork Notifications
Above certain thresholds (asbestos quantities, demolition height, structural complexity) the job triggers notifications to EPA NSW and SafeWork NSW. We submit notifications and keep evidence in the close-out pack.
Typical Workflow
- Pre-demolition survey including asbestos and hazmat
- Service disconnections (3-phase power, gas, sprinkler, fire pumps)
- Soft-strip: cladding, services, fittings
- Mechanical demolition of structural frame
- Slab break-out
- Steel cut-down and sale to scrap
- Final clean and clearance certificates
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a special licence for factory demolition?
Yes — Class 1 NSW Demolition Licence (or Class 2 for smaller jobs), plus asbestos licences depending on hazmat scope.
Can you recover scrap value from the steel?
Yes — clean steel is sold to recyclers and the proceeds offset the demolition quote.
How long does factory demolition take?
Small factory (under 1,000 m²): 2–4 weeks. Large industrial: 6–12 weeks.
Related Reading
- Demolition Cost Sydney 2026
- What's Included in a Sydney Demolition Quote
- Asbestos Removal Cost Sydney 2026
Direct Demolition is a licensed Sydney demolition contractor (NSW Demolition Licence AD214611). Contact us or call 0451 117 275 for a free site inspection and fixed written quote.