Top tips for an efficient site clearance

Friday, 23 January 2026

Prior to the start of any new building or landscaping work, it is vital that the current site is cleared thoroughly and safely.

Whether you are clearing the site yourself or employing site clearance contractors, it’s important to comply with health and safety legislation. Any waste should be removed and transported with the utmost care to ensure disruption to the wider environment is minimised. Scrap metal is one of the materials a site clearance will usually need to remove, and ASM Metal Recycling can help with this.

What is involved in site clearance?

A site clearance takes place when any new building or landscaping work is planned for an area of land. Site clearances involve planning, adherence to health and safety regulations and proper collection of scrap metal.

How to clear a site for construction?

The aim of any site clearance project is to remove all waste, debris, vegetation and hazardous material from the site before the building phase. The top layer of soil must also be removed, because it may contain chemicals that can lead to plant growth, and therefore impact the structural integrity of any future construction work.

How long does it take to clear a site?

All sites are different, so all will take varying times to clear. Small sites might only take a few days, whereas larger sites could take weeks or even months to clear.

Plan ahead

Make sure your initial planning includes details such as the size and scope of the site clearance. Ask questions such as:

What type of material are you expecting to clear?
How much waste material is going to be generated?
What machinery and labour will you need to complete the site clearance?

Safety first

Before any clearance or building work can begin on site, it’s a legal obligation to erect signs to alert visitors and personnel of the site clearance work. Those who enter the clearance site should also be reminded of the health and safety dangers of being on-site. It’s highly recommended that all personnel on site wear hard hats and hi-vis at all times, as well as any other PPE that may be required, such as gloves, safety goggles or face masks.

Hire professionals and proper machinery

For some small sites, you may want to carry out the work required in site clearance yourself. However, if the site is large or you lack the experience to operate the machinery to clear your site, you should always work with a company that specialises in site clearance. They will have the experience, skills and machinery required to clear your site. They will know how to operate site clearance machinery safely and efficiently, and do the job much quicker.

Be aware of the health and safety risks involved

Before starting your site clearance it is important to conduct a health and safety risk assessment. This will reveal any immediate hazards that will impact the progress of site clearance, such as underground utilities, asbestos or unstable ground, and make you aware of any wider environmental impact of the site being cleared. You will also be made aware of any measures needed for safe working practices.

Have a waste disposal plan

Waste management or disposal plans ensures that the materials cleared from the site are disposed of responsibly and in a sustainable way. It is important to separate recyclables like wood, metal and glass from general waste, and to make recycling a priority.

Arrange proper collection and disposal of your scrap metal

If your business is undergoing a site clearance to make way for new and improved premises, you’ll want to ensure that all the scrap metals collected are correctly categorised. You should then arrange for licensed transportation of the scrap metal, with no harm to the wider environment.

Planning a site clearance? ASM Metal Recycling can help

At ASM Metal Recycling we offer competitive prices for all types of scrap metal, and a collection service.

Whether it’s old RSJs, cabling, scrap stainless steel or aluminium left within the shell of your property, ASM Metal Recycling can swiftly remove it from your site and transport it to one of our licensed sites for recycling or reuse.

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