Costs to Demolish a House

The average cost to tear down a house in the United States is $18,000. The average range is $3,000-$25,000, or $2-$17 per square foot.

The cost to demolish a house, sometimes called “demoing a house,” depends on the following factors.

• Home size: The larger the footprint or the more stories it has, the more expensive the demo. The cost to demolish a 1,500 square foot home should be $10,500-$12,000.
• Location: Home demolition is cheaper in rural areas and more expensive in urban neighborhoods, especially in high-density locations that make demolition and debris removal more complicated.
• Permits and inspections: Home building demolition permits can cost $50-$100 depending on the municipality. Home demolitions often require 2-5 inspections that can range from $100-$700 each. Check local code requirements before making a final decision.
• Equipment: Rental excavators or the costs of other demolition equipment can be significant depending on the machinery you need and for how long.
• Cleaning and disposal: Safe disposal includes dumpster rental and hauling costs. Disposal is a major expense when tearing down a house, whether done by the demolition contractors or a separate hauling service
• Hazardous materials: Asbestos, lead or other hazardous materials can cost up to $25 per square foot for safe disposal.
• Full basement demolition: Homes with full basements are more expensive to tear down than those built on slab foundations. Crawlspace basements are less expensive to tear down than finished basements. Basement demolition ranges from $300-$4,000.

The following can have separate costs for demolition or removal

• Decks: $300-$3,000
• Garages: $2,000-$9,000 (depending on whether it is attached or detached)
• Chimneys: $300-$6,000
• Swimming pools: $2,700-$19,000
• Driveways: $1,800-$2,300

Pro Tip: Use our demolition equipment rental services to ensure teardown jobs go safely and effectively.

When calculating home demolition costs, clients must choose the type of demolition. Total demolition requires complete home destruction, while partial demolition leaves a portion intact. Deconstruction involves the removal and resale or recycling of materials.

Demolition is mechanized destruction of a building in a controlled and pre-planned manner. When homes or buildings are demolished, most of the debris will be landfilled.

• Partial demolition involves removing part of the building while leaving another part intact, such as the chimney and mantel.
• Total demolition involves complete destruction of the building, usually with a machine such as an excavator or wrecking ball.

Deconstruction of a house involves removing and salvaging all materials or fixtures that can be reused or recycled. Deconstruction is called “green demolition” for being a more environmentally friendly disposal method.

Deconstruction is a time-consuming process with higher labor costs than demolition, but lower machinery costs. While deconstruction usually costs more than demolition, selling the reusable components or donating them for tax benefits can offset the cost.

Building materials that can be recycled include:

• Drywall
• Lumber
• Metal
• Brick
• Concrete and asphalt
• Flooring

Home fixtures can be reused or resold include:

• Bathroom and kitchen sinks
• Bathtubs
• Light fixtures
• Cabinets
• Doors and windows
• Countertops

Homeowners who want to upgrade their living space on their property must weigh the options between remodeling an old house or tearing it down to build a new one.

Some homes may be too worn or damaged to justify remodeling. Issues beyond repair can include:

• Damaged foundations or structural problems
• Extensive fire or water damage
• Mold, asbestos or hazardous materials

Rebuilding a home can offer the following advantages:

• Larger space or preferable design compared to the old one
• Upgraded, more energy-efficient fixtures and other systems
• Higher ROI for property investors
• More cost-effective strategy for residents planning to live in the home for more than 5-10 years

Remodeling a home can offer these advantages:

• Less expensive than rebuilding a home
• Flexibility to remodel specific rooms or projects over time, leading to lower upfront costs
• Residents can often remain in the house, rather than pay for alternative living arrangements
• Option to retain original architectural features, which is especially desirable with historic homes
• Zoning laws often favor remodeling over rebuilding
• More cost-effective strategy for residents planning to live in the house less than 5-10 years

Pro Tip: Rebuilds can be less expensive than building on a new lot because the site is already prepared.

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