Demolishing a small fibrous cement garden shed yourself is often possible as a DIY project — but it comes with one critical catch: fibrous cement sheeting made before the mid-1980s may contain asbestos, and that changes everything about how you approach the job. Read this guide carefully before you pick up a crowbar.
The Asbestos Question — Your First and Most Important Step
Fibrous cement (sometimes called fibro or FC sheet) was widely used in NZ sheds, garages, and homes from the 1940s through to around 1985. During much of that period, it was manufactured with asbestos fibres to add strength. If your shed was built before 1990, you should treat it as potentially containing asbestos until proven otherwise.
Asbestos fibres are harmless when the material is intact and undisturbed. The danger comes when sheeting is broken, drilled, sanded, or demolished — releasing microscopic fibres into the air that can cause serious lung disease, including mesothelioma, years later.
Before you do anything else:
- Find out when the shed was built (check with the previous owner, council records, or a building inspector).
- If it was built before 1990, arrange for a sample to be tested by an accredited laboratory. Do not break the sheet to take a sample yourself — contact a licensed asbestos assessor.
- WorkSafe NZ has clear guidance on identifying and managing asbestos in the home.
If asbestos is confirmed, the rules change significantly (see below).
Do You Need a Building Consent?
In most cases, demolishing a small garden shed is exempt from building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004. However, exemptions have conditions — for example, the shed must not be attached to the house, and it must be a certain size. Always confirm with your local council before starting, as rules can vary and your specific situation may not qualify. You can find general guidance at MBIE Building Performance.
Safe Demolition Steps (Asbestos-Free Shed)
If testing confirms no asbestos, or the shed was definitely built after 1990 using modern fibre cement (such as products from James Hardie), you can proceed with standard DIY demolition:
1. Disconnect Services First
- If the shed has electricity, the supply must be disconnected by a registered electrician before you start. This is restricted electrical work under NZ law — you cannot legally do it yourself. Check the Electrical Workers Registration Board to find a registered electrician.
- If there is plumbing or gas, these must also be disconnected by a licensed tradesperson. See the Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board for licensing requirements.
2. Gather Your PPE and Tools
- Safety glasses or goggles
- P2 dust mask (even modern fibre cement creates silica dust, which is hazardous)
- Heavy-duty gloves and steel-capped boots
- Long sleeves and trousers
- Pry bar, hammer, and reciprocating saw (if needed)
3. Work Methodically
- Remove the roof cladding first, then wall sheets, then the frame.
- Do not use angle grinders or power saws on fibre cement — they generate excessive dust. Score and snap where possible, or use a hand saw.
- Keep sheets as whole as possible to minimise dust and make disposal easier.
- Wet the sheets lightly before handling to suppress dust.
4. Waste Disposal
- Fibre cement waste cannot go in your general rubbish. Contact your local council or a licensed waste facility about inert building waste disposal. Many transfer stations accept it for a fee.
- Timber framing can often go to a green waste or timber recycling facility.
If Asbestos Is Confirmed
This is where DIY has firm legal limits in New Zealand. Under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, removal of more than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos (such as flat fibro sheeting) must be carried out by a licensed asbestos removalist. For smaller areas under 10 m², confirm current WorkSafe requirements before proceeding, as rules and guidance on unlicensed removal can change, but WorkSafe NZ strongly recommends using a licensed professional regardless of size, given the serious health risks involved.
If you do proceed with small-scale removal yourself, WorkSafe requires you to follow strict controls: full PPE including a P2 respirator, wetting the material, double-bagging waste in labelled asbestos bags, and disposing of it at an approved facility. Do not attempt to break, sand, or power-cut asbestos sheeting under any circumstances.
When to Call a Professional
Call a licensed demolition contractor or asbestos removalist if:
- Asbestos is confirmed and the area exceeds 10 m² (or you simply want peace of mind).
- The shed is attached to your house or has shared walls.
- There are services (power, gas, water) that need disconnecting.
- You are unsure about the age or composition of the materials.
- The shed is large, multi-storey, or structurally complex.
A qualified demolition contractor will handle asbestos testing, safe removal, and legal disposal — taking the risk and guesswork out of the job entirely. You can find licensed local demolition contractors on tradedirectory.co.nz.
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