A shed or garage is often the first thing to go when a backyard is being reworked, a pool or granny flat is planned, or an old outbuilding has simply become unsafe. Sheds are smaller jobs than houses, but they carry their own risks: old fibro garages frequently contain asbestos, many sheds have power running to them, and boundary sheds sit right against a neighbour's fence.
Geelong Demolition Service is a referral service. With your consent we pass your enquiry to one independent demolition business that holds the registration required for the work. We do not price or perform demolition.
Outbuildings people ask about
- Fibro (asbestos cement) garages and sheds from the post-war decades
- Steel-framed and Colorbond sheds, including large rural sheds
- Timber garages, workshops and sleep-outs
- Carports, pergolas and lean-tos
- Old outhouses, laundries and storerooms at the rear of older homes
Do you need a permit?
It depends on size, location and controls on the land. Small, detached outbuildings may not need a building permit to demolish, but larger structures can, and council report and consent under section 29A may be triggered where the structure forms part of the street facade. A Heritage Overlay can bring in planning controls even for outbuildings. In the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Golden Plains or Queenscliffe, ask a registered building surveyor or the council to confirm before work is booked.
Asbestos in sheds and garages
If the shed was built before about 1990 and has flat or corrugated cement sheeting, assume it may contain asbestos until it is tested. Sheet roofs, wall cladding and eaves are the usual suspects. More than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist, which covers most garages. See asbestos before demolition for the process and clearance requirements.
Information the demolisher will want
- Approximate dimensions and materials, ideally with photos from several angles.
- Whether there is a concrete slab, and whether it should stay or go.
- Whether power is connected. A licensed electrician must disconnect it safely first.
- Access: gate width, side passage, overhead lines and how close a truck or small excavator can get.
- Contents. Most contractors expect the shed to be emptied, or price rubbish removal separately.
- The finish you want, such as a levelled pad for a new shed or topsoil for lawn.
Sheds on the boundary
Where a shed wall forms the fence line, or is built hard against it, removing the shed can leave a gap or damage the neighbour's side. Talk to the neighbour before work starts. Agree how the boundary will be secured, and who pays for a new fence if needed.
Slab and site finish
Many sheds sit on a slab. Keep it if a new shed will go in the same spot and the slab is sound. Remove it if you are building, landscaping or putting in a pool. Slab removal adds machine time and disposal. See site clearing for what is involved.
Recycling and salvage
Steel sheeting and framing are readily recycled, and some sheds can be dismantled for reuse. Timber and concrete can often be recycled as well. Asbestos materials cannot; they go to a licensed facility.
Price indicators
Published 2026 guides suggest an asbestos shed or garage removal commonly falls around $2,500 to $6,000, depending on size and how much sheeting is involved. Non-asbestos sheds can be less, while large rural sheds or those with heavy slabs can be more. These are budgeting ranges, not quotes. See the demolition cost guide.
Larger blocks and rural sheds
On larger blocks around the edges of Geelong and into Golden Plains or the Surf Coast hinterland, sheds can be much bigger and further from the road. Access tracks, wet ground and distance to disposal all affect price. Mention these when you enquire.
Comparing quotes
Make sure each quote states whether asbestos testing and removal are included, whether the slab is removed, who disconnects the power, how waste is disposed of, and what the site will look like when the contractor leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to pull down a shed in Geelong?
Often not for a small detached shed, but it depends on size, siting and overlays. Confirm with a building surveyor or council before work starts.
Is my old garage roof asbestos?
If it is cement sheeting on a pre-1990 garage, it may well be. Only testing can confirm it.
Can the slab stay?
Yes, if it suits your plans and is in good condition. Tell the demolisher, so it is excluded from the scope and protected.
Who disconnects power to the shed?
A licensed electrician, before demolition begins.
How long does it take?
A small non-asbestos shed can take a day or less. Asbestos removal and clearance add time beforehand.
Can the contractor take the contents too?
Many will, for an extra charge. Ask for it to be listed separately on the quote.
Next step
Send photos, rough dimensions and whether you suspect asbestos. With your consent, we will refer the job to a registered demolisher working in the Geelong region. Request a referral.