House Demolition Cost

• Complete demolition by heavy equipment down to (but not including) the foundation/basement of an average house with complete debris haul-away varies considerably; in the Midwest or other low-cost areas, it can be as low as $3,000 -$8,000 for a small home (800-1,500 square feet) with easy access for heavy machinery, but can easily run $7,000 -$15,000 or more elsewhere, depending on size, materials, access and other factors.
• A down-to-the-dirt professional demolition (including removing the foundation/basement) using heavy machinery and hauling away all debris can be $10,000 -$25,000 or more, depending on size, materials, configuration (one- or two-story), local rates and access. A New Jersey realtor reports receiving bids ranging from $12,000 -$25,000 to completely tear-down and remove an 1,800-square-foot waterfront home. Prices generally (but not always) include permit fees and debris removal costs. Total costs will increase if there's lead paint or asbestos removal.
• Demolishing part of a house -- such as an attached garage, sagging porch or non-permitted addition that isn't up to code -- can be trickier because the rest of the structure needs to be unharmed. A simple project might run $1,000 -$10,000 depending on the size area being removed, ease of access, the amount of debris and local labor rates dumping costs. A homeowner separated a garage and attached sunroom from the rest of the house, then paid a demolition company $6,000 to tear them down and excavate down 6-9 feet (to prepare for a new structure). A complicated partial-demolition project can be extremely labor-intensive and could run $15,000 -$75,000.
• Deconstruction is the orderly dismantling of a structure so the materials can be reused in another project or recycled into new products. TheReusePeople.org, a nonprofit California deconstruction company, estimates that removing a 2,200-square-foot home might cost $10,000 with standard demolition methods and $24,000 with deconstruction, but could produce a tax savings of $29,000. The Sierra Club provides an overview.

• Typically a representative of each company will visit the site before submitting a bid; this is the time to mention any possible problems with asbestos, lead paint; heavy equipment access, underground utilities or a septic system, or other concerns. Be specific about any plans for the site (they need to know if you're going to rebuild) and the condition you want the property in when the demolition work is completed.
• In most cases you will need a demolition permit, and utility companies must be notified before any gas, water and electrical lines are turned off and ripped out. (Most demolition companies will handle this for you, but be sure it's included in the quote.) BobVila.com describes the typical permit and planning process.
• Full home demolition typically involves heavy machinery. An average home can be demolished in a day or two.
• Demolishing only part of a home usually requires careful manual labor; BobVila.com provides a video of a front porch demolition and HGTV.com provides tips for tearing down an attached shed.

• Often any required permits are included in the demolition price, but if not it can be anywhere from $25 -$100 depending on the size of the house, to several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on local rules. Some areas, such as several towns near Chicago, have imposed demolition taxes/fees for complete house tear-downs of as much as $10,000.

• Get several estimates. Ask about specific experience with this type of demolition. Be sure you understand exactly what's included, how debris removal will be handled, and who is responsible for any required permits or dump fees. BobVila.com provides a home demolition checklist.
• Residential demolition is typically handled by smaller demolition companies, which are often are set up to tackle a wide variety of projects. Check whether a contractor is properly insured and bonded, and whether there are any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
• The National Demolition Association provides referrals to its members, as well as contractor licensing requirements by state.

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