2018 House Demolition Costs | Calculate Price/Sq Ft to Tear …

Cost to Demolish a House Per Square Foot

The price of removing a house is based on several factors including the size of the space, structural additions on the property, required permits and waste material clearing. For a complete teardown (minus foundation) of a large home, about 1,500 or more square feet, rates can range from $3,000 in a rural area to $18,000 in a densely-populated city. A complete demo of a house and its foundation or basement can cost much as $25,000.

The cost of removal can vary based on the area lived in and the typical wages in the region. Some estimates put a price tag of $18,000 on bulldozing a 1,500 square-foot house, while others show that the average estimate is around $4-$15 per square foot. For example, a 1,200 square-foot home could be between $4,800 and $18,000.

Since most demolition projects are charged by square foot, obtaining an accurate measurement of the property can give homeowners an idea of the overall expense. Whether the process is manual or mechanical can also impact your final project budget.

There are also safety gear investments that will need to be made when tearing down a home. All construction areas should be taped off and clearly marked, and any outdoor areas should be well-lit with floodlights during evening work hours. If youre assisting in any part of the process, its important to wear protective clothing, gloves, work boots, goggles, and a hardhat. To protect those who will be onsite at any period during or after the teardown, masks should be provided and fabric mats or cardboard should line walkways, so its easy to distinguish between safe and hazardous paths. When hiring professionals for the job, be sure to ask if they intend to supply and install site preparation materials.

Hazardous waste can greatly impact the cost of clearing debris. Many older homes contain asbestos, and there are special fees and considerations associated with its removal and disposal. As it ages, its texture becomes flaky, making it susceptible to becoming an airborne toxin that poses risks to human and environmental health. For this reason, a house contaminated with asbestos cannot be torn down without proper handling.

A partial demolition is often necessary for homeowners who are doing major home remodels, such as tearing down an outside wall to expand a room or breaking down non-load bearing beams. You could be charged upwards of $24,000, but this expense is often eligible for a tax write-off.

Many garages have electrical and plumbing considerations, so the cost can vary from $2-$6 per square foot, or roughly $3,000-$9,000. A partial demolition might entail:

If a house has an unsound ground floor deck, a partial demolition and rebuild may be the safest option. Depending on the deck design, a partial deconstruction will run about $30 per square foot. An elevated deck may result in additional fees due to height and any added materials it requires to keep it above ground, averaging about $45-$50 per square foot to eliminate.

The roof is quite possibly one of the priciest and most important demo projects. From enhancement to rebuilding, the rate for demolishing and reconstructing a roof can be between $4-$5 per square foot and more than $45 per hour for labor.

A poorly constructed addition or extension is another very common reason for a partial demolition. Razing just a section of the house may be required if it has not been well-kept, though other areas are solid and strong.

Mobile homes are modular, and therefore much easier to demolish. With proper training, they can often be torn down in as little as one day. Of course, youll want to be sure you are well-educated on the type of mobile home you are working with. This is a job best left to the professionals to ensure the project is done properly and safely. The cost of teardown depends on the size, materials and method of removal, but most experts estimate around $4 per square foot.

The factors which affect residential demolition prices also affect commercial demolitions. Some of the most common influences include the project size, the type of materials which need to be deconstructed, whether or not there are any hazardous materials, and bulldozing any leftover waste products like the concrete foundation. The national average price for the demolition of a small restaurant of 1,000 sq. ft. would be between $1,400 and $1,700.

Before or during the estimation process, it is important to know what permits and inspections are required for the project. Most range from $50-$100. Different ordinances in major cities and counties could require permits for both partial and full demolitions of any structure, from a house to a barn or shed. A licensed, reputable contractor will get all of the required permits for your project, but you should find out what they are and how many youll need so you can budget accordingly.

A term often used in tandem with demolition is deconstruction; however, the two are very different situations.

Demolition means removing the entirety of the house as safely and efficiently as possible, often with a variety of machinery like forklifts and sledgehammers. Deconstruction crews will salvage reusable materials and structural elements of the home prior to leveling it; often, the foundation is left intact.

Benefits of deconstruction include being able to keep these materials for a rebuild, selling them for a profit, or recycling them. This can help mitigate the negative impact dismantling a home can have on the environment. Plus, deconstruction usually results in a tax write-off, with some cases allowing for as much as $30,000-$45,000.

When opting for demolition, there are dozens of options that will impact cost and budget. Theres no one bottom-line rate for bulldozing a house, just like there is no one central reason to tear one down. Knowing your homes square footage, the materials from which its made, and what you plan to do on the land after are three key components to getting a strong estimate on the final figure of your specific project.

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2018 House Demolition Costs | Calculate Price/Sq Ft to Tear ...