Multi-million boost for Scottish demolition

More than 20 demolition businesses are set to benefit from an £18 million (US$23.7 million) a year contract to offer services to local authorities and housing associations in Scotland.

The contract, which started on 1 August, runs until the end of July 2022 with an option to extend for a further two years at that time.

It was put together by the Scotland Excel framework, which helps local government deliver planned demolition as part of regeneration and improvement work. This latest contract has also been redesigned to include deconstruction for the first time.

The framework is divided into three lots, based on work up to a value of £50,000 ($66,000); work valued at £50,000 or over; and emergency work.

Eleven companies – Burnfield Builders and Demolishers, Caskie, Central Demolition, Chris Wright & Sons, Daltons Demolitions, David Morton (Larbert), Dem-Master Demolition, George Beattie, JCJ (Demolition & Construction), Reigart Contracts and Safedem – have been awarded in all three lots.

A further 14 firms are on the list for one or two lots. Of the listed companies, only two – Birmingham-based Coleman Group and Technical Demolition Services from the north west of England – are based outside Scotland. All are committed to paying the Real Living Wage and to recycling up to 95% of materials from demolition and deconstruction projects.

Scotland Excel has saved local authorities more than £150 million ($198 million) since it started in 2008 and its convener, Councillor John Shaw, said: “The renewal of our demolition and deconstruction Works contract comes at an important time for Scotland’s construction sector.

“It will bring value for money, has sustainability at its core and is good for business.”