How Much Does It Cost to Demolish a House?

Rebuilding an entire house can sometimes cost more than buying a new one. On average, homeowners in the U.S. spend $170,000 to $485,000 to rebuild.

One way to reduce costs would be to consult an architect before you proceed with demolition. An architect can work with your demolition contractor to identify any parts of the existing structure, such as plumbing, wiring or ventilation, that might be saved or set aside for your new home.

On average, hiring an architect costs about $5,300. But if you can manage to save that amount by salvaging existing parts of the home, it might be worth it.

Work permits

You should find out which permits and inspections you’ll need. The average cost ranges from $50 to $100.

But cities and counties sometimes have their own rules. You might need a separate permit to tear down a barn or shed, for example, in addition to the house.

Ideally, your contractor will manage the permit process, but you should know how much it will cost.

Disposal and cleanup

Once your home has been demolished, someone needs to deal with the pile of rubble. Your contractor may or may not handle the cleanup and disposal.

If it’s not included in your contractor’s services, the cost is generally $300 to $1,800.

Either way, your contractor should let you know whether cleanup is your responsibility.

If you’re on your own, expect to pay a debris removal service about $400 to $800 per truckload of waste.

Hazardous materials

Asbestos, a naturally occurring, fire-resistant substance, was used as a building material until the 1970s. It can lead to serious health complications if you inhale its dusty particles.

Many homes built before the 1980s contain asbestos and require special treatment before they can be torn down. Removal can add about $2,000 to your demolition bill.

Your contractor will have to follow strict guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to extract and dispose of asbestos properly. If you plan to help out with the demolition, know that this project should be handled only by a trained professional.

What about partial demolitions?

If parts of your home are serviceable, you can opt for a partial demolition.

You should expect to pay upward of $24,000 to prepare your home for a major remodel. While that cost may seem high, remember: Rebuilding is much more expensive than renovating. Additionally, this expense can often provide a tax writeoff. Ask your hired professional whether your project is eligible for it.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for some common partial demolitions:

Garage

Depending on whether it is detached or attached, a garage will cost $2,000 to $9,000 to be demolished, on average.

Among the possible strategies and complications:

• Tearing down drywall but keeping inner frames.
• Removing some walls completely but maintaining part of the original building.
• Cutting into walls or the ceiling to access or install wiring.
• Managing electrical or plumbing lines.

Chimney

Faulty chimneys can be extremely dangerous. Structural issues should be dealt with promptly.

The cost of removing a chimney averages between $4,000 and $10,000. The amount depends on whether the chimney extends into your basement or whether it’s bolted onto or built into your home’s structure.

Removal of a chimney sometimes results in damage to the roof, so be prepared for additional costs relating to that.

Shed or barn

It may seem like a fairly easy task to tear down a shed or barn, but a number of factors can add to the expense. As we mentioned before, the structure may require its own demolition permit. And depending on the size and building materials, the project can be trickier than it appears.

Professionals generally charge by the hour for this type of project. Expect to pay $50 to $100 an hour. In addition to materials and size, other factors include ease of access and how much debris will need to be cleared after.

Roof

Replacing a roof can be a nightmare; even so, it comes around every 15 to 25 years. Demolishing and reconstructing a roof costs on average $4 to $5 per square foot, in addition to $45 or more per hour for labor.

If you’re demolishing the entire roof, or it is hard to access, complicated or ultra-steep, the project will take longer, resulting in higher labor costs.

Foundation

Removal of a foundation costs on average $1,000 to $1,500. In contrast, repairs can run $5,000 to $7,000. But while it sounds like you may come out ahead with removal, if you’re planning to rebuild, your costs will continue.

First, you’ll need to grade the site (flatten the land) before another foundation can be laid. Grading costs $500 to $7,700. Then building a new foundation costs about $8,500.

Interior walls or ceilings

Whether you need to address health and safety concerns such as mold or lead paint, or you just want to remodel underused or oddly shaped rooms, razing interior spaces costs on average $1,200 to $5,000.

Additions

If your house is in otherwise good condition, removing a poorly constructed or failing addition may be a cost-effective approach. This type of project generally costs about $50 to $100 per hour for labor.

Decks

If your ground-floor deck is unsound or failing, the safest option will be to demolish it and rebuild. Partial deck deconstruction generally runs about $30 per square foot.

An elevated deck may cost a little more. Expect to pay closer to $45 to $50 per square foot for elevated deck projects.