Move It or Knock It Down? Old Timber Homes on the Sunshine Coast

Two ways to clear the block

If you own a timber home and want the land, you have two choices. Demolition takes it apart on site. House removal cuts it into sections, lifts it onto trucks and takes it somewhere else. Both need a permit, because Sunshine Coast Council lists removal and relocation of a building as work requiring one.

When removal is worth a look

Removal suits sound, timber framed homes on stumps, particularly with hardwood frames and floors in decent condition. Access matters too. Trucks need a clear path from the block to the road, and overhead wires and tight bends on the route can decide the matter.

When demolition makes more sense

Slab homes, brick homes and houses with major termite or rot damage are poor candidates for moving. Homes with lots of fibro have the extra step of asbestos removal, which can erase any saving. If the home has been heavily altered, it may be cheaper to start again.

What affects the numbers

House removalists sometimes buy suitable homes, or charge less if they can resell them. So a removal might cost you less than demolition, or might not. The only way to know is to get prices for both. Include the cost of what is left behind too, such as stumps, tanks and old paths, as removal rarely clears everything.

Check character rules first

Older homes can be subject to character controls. The Sunshine Coast planning scheme limits demolition of character buildings, and Noosa's heritage overlay prefers relocation over demolition. Check before you commit to either option.

Next step

Get a [house demolition](/services/house-demolition) inspection and a removalist's opinion in the same week, then compare them side by side. [Send us your details](/contact) and a local contractor will contact you about the demolition side.