How much does Demolition services cost?

When people hear the word “demolition,” they often think of a wrecking ball and bulldozer tearing down a commercial building. But private homes can be demolished too—either completely, to make way for a new house on the property, or partially, for a remodeling or expansion project.

In the case of complete home demolition, heavy equipment may be used to tear down the building. But residential demolition is often quite different from commercial demolition. If the homeowner only wants a partial demolition—such as removing one or more walls—residential demolition work is much more methodical.

Handy residents might be able to handle small-scale interior demolition tasks on a DIY basis, using sledgehammers and a pickup truck or dumpster rental. But without experience and knowhow, this can lead to damage to the home or injury to the homeowner. For example, if you tear out bearing walls by mistake, you could end up needing serious (and costly) repairs.

Demolishing walls and removing debris is especially dangerous if hazardous materials, such as asbestos or lead paint, were used in the home’s construction. These materials can’t just be torn out and dumped in a landfill. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict guidelines for how hazardous materials must be handled—for example, asbestos removal and disposal must be performed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

To get home demolition work done properly, call a demolition professional. They know how to handle the demolition process safely, and can take care of debris disposal for all types of materials. In addition, professionals can deal with utility companies, properly cap off electrical and plumbing lines, and obtain the necessary permits.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the cost of residential demolition services. 

The national average cost to demolish an entire home is $6,500–27,000. Partial demolition typically costs $800–10,000+, depending on which areas need demolishing. This includes dump fees and other debris-removal costs. 

The square footage of the area needing demolition is a key factor in determining the total price. You’ll typically pay $4–12 per square foot of home size for whole-house demolition, or, for partial demolition, $5–16 per square foot of the area to be demolished.

Your home’s location, age, and the extent of demolition needed will have a large impact on total cost.

Full vs. partial demolition. It’s often necessary to work carefully and slowly when deconstructing parts of a home—such as drywall interior walls or exterior walls—to make way for renovations or an addition. As a result, this process can cost more per square foot than total demolition. However, the total price may still be much lower, because the area being demolished is smaller.

Urban vs. rural location. Demolishing a house in a crowded, densely populated urban area presents challenges and safety considerations that don’t exist in a more spread-out suburban or rural community. For that reason, an urban tear-down can cost as much as 200–500% more, especially when labor and permit costs are higher.

Toxic substances. Asbestos is a carcinogen that was routinely used in home construction from the early 1940s through the 1970s. If a house has building materials that contain it—including insulation, siding, or ceilings—precautions must be taken to protect the crew and your household. The same goes for lead, which may be found in older paint and pipes. Extra costs for removing these safely can run $2,000–15,000+, or around $20–50 per square foot. 

The following issues can increase the total cost of demolition services. 

The following advice may help you reduce your costs on a demolition project:

How do you calculate demolition costs?

Home demolition project costs depend on a variety of factors: where the house is located, square footage, local labor and waste-disposal rates, what type of foundation the structure has, and whether utility lines need to be capped or removed before demolition can begin. Getting 2–3 quotes from local demolition companies is the best way to determine costs.

Is it cheaper to tear down a house or renovate?

That depends on your home’s size, location, age, and how much of it would need renovating. If the house has structural issues or if you plan on doing a top-down renovation of the entire building, a full tear-down is often more practical and cost-effective. 

When should you demolish a house?

If a home has structural problems that can’t be repaired—or if the cost of fixing them, plus the cost of renovations you want to make, would add up to a significant portion of the home’s current value—demolishing it can make sense. Comparing price estimates for a full tear-down and partial reconstruction can help you decide which path to take. 

Find a demolition services professional in your area.