Interior Demolition Cost

• For do-it-yourselfers, the basic expenses for demolition work are tools (if you don't already own what you'll need) and disposal costs. Basic tools beyond a hammer and screwdriver can include a heavy-duty sledgehammer ($40 -$100), flat pry bar ($10 -$40), wrecking bar ($10 -$25) and/or an electric reciprocating saw ($100 -$400). Costs for debris removal vary dramatically from $50 -$850 depending on the type and amount of waste material. Do-it-yourself homeowners in Oregon paid $60 to dump the debris from their kitchen.
• Hiring someone to remove and dispose of the old materials (vanity, cabinets, sink, flooring, lighting, bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances) runs $250 -$750 in an average bathroom and $500 -$750 for an average kitchen, but costs for either room can be $750 -$1,000 or more if you're removing a wall (or two), according to house-flipping-helper.com. A New York company advertises a standard 5x7-foot bathroom demolition starting at $450 for sheetrock and $650 for plaster, with debris removal costing an additional $50 per cubic yard.
• Having a demolition or remodeling company gut the interior of an average house down to the studs runs $2,500 -$5,000, according to house-flipping-helper.com, but costs can be higher depending on location, size and complications such as asbestos removal or lead-based paint.
• Deconstruction is the orderly dismantling of a structure so the materials can be reused in another project or recycled into new products. It can take anywhere from 2-10 times longer than standard demolition, and cost more than twice as much (but there may be cash back from the sale of salvaged items, or a tax credit for donating them). ThisOldHouse.com provides an overview of deconstruction and illustrates the salvage process.

• Demolishing cabinets, walls or floors is extremely dirty work. ConstructionOwl.Com lists DIY demolition tips and DIYNetwork.com provides instructions for a kitchen demolition.
• Check with your local planning department -- there may be regulations governing noise levels, hours of work, placement of dumpsters and similar factors. If you're opening up walls and altering your home's structure, plumbing or electrical system, you may need a permit and/or official inspections while the work is being done. (If you do demolition work without a required permit and later there's a fire, water damage or other incident, your insurance company might refuse coverage.)

• Permit costs vary considerably, starting around $25 -$75 but going up to several hundred dollars or more, depending on local rules and the size and nature of the project.

• If hiring someone to do the demolition for you, get several estimates. Be sure you understand exactly what's included, how debris removal will be handled, the exact condition the property will be left in when the work is done, and who is responsible for any required permits or dump fees. BobVila.com provides a home demolition checklist.
• A local handyman may be able to handle light demolition work, but a more extensive gutting project may require a demolition company or contractor. Demolition can be handled as a separate project or as part of a large renovation. Referrals are available from the National Demolition Association.
• Make sure that the contractor is properly insured, bonded and licensed. Construction contractors should be licensed in your state; licensing requirements for demolition companies vary by state. Search for complaints with the Better Business Bureau. A written contract should include a detailed outline of the work to be done, start and finish dates, and a payment schedule.

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