2022 Cost to Demolish a House [Average Rates Per Square Foot]

Whether your house is unsafe, too costly to repair, or you’re looking to remove it and construct a custom home, demolition may be the right course of action. Demolition, or razing, refers to the safe and efficient tear down of structures.

Mechanical demolition tends to be the most common method, although deconstruction may be possible for certain properties. In regards to cost, deconstruction is going to cost you approximately 25 to 50 percent more than a standard demolition.

There are a number of factors that influence the cost to demolish a house and the amount you’ll pay will typically depend on the property size, the building materials, and whether or not the structure has a full basement. Generally speaking, the cost of a home demolition can be categorized based on square footage and the type of demolition. Although, there are many additional costs and considerations that must be factored in as well.

The average cost to demolish a house is $11,250 for standard mechanical demolition. Homeowners spend an average of $7.50 per square foot to demolish most houses, and it costs $12 per square foot if there is a full basement. You will have to spend another $600 per truckload of debris and it costs $20 per square foot to demolish a house with asbestos.

Continue reading for our comprehensive guide on the cost to demolish a house, so you can have a more well-rounded understanding of how to properly budget for this serious undertaking.

In simplest terms, the cost to demolish a house can be broken down based on the type of demolition, the square footage of the home being demolished, and where the home is located. Of course, additional costs like debris removal, grading, hourly rates, and foundation removal are also going to impact the final price.

Before the work is performed, whether you choose to hire a professional or handle the project yourself, you will have to acquire a demolition permit. However, most contractors will take care of this for you so make sure that you ask when you’re shopping around for the right contractor. The following table displays a brief overview of the average costs to demolish a house.

Demolishing a house costs an average of $5 to $10 a square foot. Older homes that do not have foundations may cost as low as $3 per square foot, whereas more modern homes with complete basements could cost up to $12 a square foot to demolish. Based on those numbers, a complete demo of a 1,500 square foot house can cost as little as $4,500 in a rural area or as much as $15,000 in a densely populated area.

On the other hand, a complete teardown of a home and its basement or foundation could cost up to $18,000, or more.

The total price is based on a number of factors including the size of the structure and whether or not it has extensions, toxic materials such as asbestos, waste material cleaning, and required inspections and permits. The table below outlines average demolition cost ranges based on home square footage:

Generally speaking, there are two different forms of partial demolitions. The first involves the removal of a small portion of your property, whether it be a patio, deck, shed, or chimney. Partial demolitions may also include some types of interior demo. The second form of partial demolition keeps some of the structure and removes the rest.

Although this type of partial demolition tends to be more expensive than total demolition, it can be beneficial when you want to save things like the original chimney or fireplace. This is exactly why partial demolitions have such a wide range of costs, costing between $1,000 and $20,000 depending on the circumstances.

For the average 1,500 square foot home, total demolition will run you between $7,500 and $15,000. Of course, demolishing a smaller home will cost less and a larger home will be more expensive. Like partial demolitions, total demolitions have a range of costs. The cost mostly depends on what the home is made of and whether it has a foundation or basement.

Demolition is the mechanical process of tearing down a house or structure using a wrecking ball, excavator, or high reach. This method is quick and the remaining debris can be easily hauled away. Older homes and homes without foundations can be torn down quickly using this method.

House deconstruction, on the other hand, is the process of tearing down a home by hand, using hand tools. This type of demolition is also commonly referred to as “green demolition,” as it allows some of the home’s materials to be reused and recycled. Some high-quality homes that are in good condition upon deconstruction can have the materials removed and used again elsewhere.

In fact, this salvage may even offset the cost of the demo since you can either sell the leftover pieces or write them off on your taxes. On average, house construction typically costs between $10,000 and $50,000 for a 1,500 square foot home.

For a partial demolition, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $20,000. However, you could spend as little as $300 or as much as $25,000 depending on which structure is being removed. Partial demolition may be necessary for homeowners who are performing major home renovations, like tearing down an exterior wall to expand a room.

If you’ll recall, partial demolitions may involve the partial removal of a surrounding structure or the complete removal of one component. The cost will vary based on where the section of the property is located.

Removing a deck costs an average of $300 to $3,000, depending on what the deck is made of, its size, how old it is, and where it’s located. Generally speaking, it’ll be much more inexpensive to remove a small, old wooden deck than it would be to remove a large metal deck. Likewise, decks that are attached to a home may require deconstruction in order to avoid damaging the house. Whereas, freestanding decks can be brought down more easily using mechanical demolition.

Platform decks tend to cost less to demolish than two-story decks. Elevated decks tend to incur additional fees due to their height and the additional materials required to keep it off the ground. Some decking materials may also have higher disposal fees than other types, which contributes to the wide cost range.

On average, demolishing a chimney costs between $300 and $6,000. The final price depends on a number of factors, including whether it runs down the center of the house or it’s bolted onto the side, whether it extends into the basement, and the materials it’s made out of. Chimneys may be made out of brick or concrete blocks and, in some instances, partially fieldstone.

Depending on the size, they may also have one flue or up to five or six. As you might expect, a smaller chimney will cost much less to demolish than a five-flue chimney that is built into the home. When it comes to demoing chimneys, be prepared to pay extra fees to repair roof damage that may inevitably occur during removal.

These types of interior demolitions can range from renovating unused spaces, like small rooms or awkwardly shaped closets, to addressing potentially hazardous situations like mold growing in the walls. Whether a wall is load-bearing or non-loading bearing will impact the cost of removal. Some walls may also have wiring or plumbing inside, which means that removing them will require rerouting – thus increasing the cost of demolition.

The thickness, width, and length of a wall can also influence final costs. Demoing a wall costs an average of $400 to $3,000, depending on the aforementioned considerations.

The cost of demolishing a patio is between $450 and $2,500, depending on its size, the materials used in its construction, and accessibility. Patios may be made out of a variety of materials – from brick and concrete to pavers, cut stone, and tile. Of course, some materials are easier to remove and dispose of than others. For instance, old bricks are much easier to remove than reinforced concrete slabs.

The size of the patio and how difficult it is for heavy equipment to access it will play a role in the final price. Also, you can expect it to cost more if your patio must be broken down by hand.

Depending on the size, the amount of debris that has to be cleared, materials, and the ease of access, tearing down a shed costs an average of $500 to $3,500. Sheds can range in size from very tiny to roughly the size of a small guest house. They may be made out of a range of materials, such as wood, metal, or plastic. Sheds can also be as simple as a shell or temporary structure or a fully framed, sided, and roofed building.

With that said, it’s easy to understand why there is such a wide range of costs when it comes to the removal of a shed. The costs can also go up if the shed has any type of flooring or foundation, like a thick concrete slab.

Demolishing a bathroom can cost between $550 and $1,500 on average, depending on the size and contents of the space. Bathrooms can range from small, half-bathrooms to expansive 200 square foot master bathroom suites. Because of this, there is a wide range of costs to demolish a bathroom.

Generally speaking, the more fixtures and space that a bathroom has, the more expensive it will be to demolish. Costs can also increase for items that are heavier and more difficult to remove, and for bathrooms that are located on a second floor. Additionally, stainless steel bathtubs that cannot be cut and have to be lowered through a window will increase costs.

The cost to demolish a house extension or addition is between $550 and $3,000 on average. Though, the final price will depend on the nature of the extension – whether it’s a small bump-out to hold shelves or an entire room addition. Since extensions are typically added on after the rest of the home, removing them is usually easier than most other partial demoing. The overall cost will depend on the size of the extension and the location.

Price may also vary based on whether there is a foundation or how the addition is integrated into the rest of the home. Extensions that can be demolished without interrupting the rest of the house will cost less than those that have to be dismantled by hand.

Removing a driveway ranges in cost from $600 to $4,000, depending on the length and material. Some materials are easier to remove than others. Although, removing a driveway involves multiple steps, including breaking the asphalt or concrete, hauling the debris away, and leveling the ground.

However, asphalt can be recycled which can help keep your costs down. Generally speaking, the more equipment that the removal requires, the higher the final price. Also, the more loads that are required to remove the debris, the higher the total costs.

Garages come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. They also may be attached or detached from the main home. Oftentimes, garages have plumbing and electrical connections, which can contribute to a wide range of costs. On average, demolishing a garage costs between $800 and $10,000.

An old, small detached garage in poor condition is going to cost much less to remove than a larger garage that is attached to the home. The type of foundation, age of the structure, and access to the garage will also play a role in the price. Garages that are further back on the property or feature small driveways are typically more expensive to remove than those that are more easily accessible from the road.

A home’s foundation can be constructed in a number of ways. They may be simply concrete slabs or feature crawl spaces or full basements. In some cases, when a home has a foundation, the cost to remove the house and foundation and separated. For instance, if the foundation is deep, large, or complex to deal with, the removal may be higher than the demolition of the house.

Generally speaking, slab foundations will cost substantially less to remove than basement foundations. Costs will rise if you need to fill in the space where the basement foundation previously was. The cost to remove a foundation is between $1,000 and $25,000.

Like sheds, demolishing a barn involves dismantling the structure and hauling the pieces away for disposal (or setting them aside to be sold or repurposed). The cost to remove a barn ranges from $1,200 to $25,000. A number of factors will impact the cost, including the material and size of the barn. Small, old barns are usually the cheapest to demolish, while a large barn that is attached to the main home will cost more to remove.

Barns are usually made from wood, but they could be constructed out of different materials. As such, concrete and metal barns will cost more to demolish than traditional wood.

Both the installation and removal of a swimming pool are complex endeavors. The average cost to remove a pool falls between $1,500 and $9,000. Swimming pools may be above ground, inground, or possibly indoors. This contributes to the wide range of demolition costs. Above-ground pools tend to be the least expensive to remove, while indoor and inground pools are pricier. Costs will increase if you need to fill in the area or if you also intend to remove the pool deck and/or surrounding area.

A roof demolition is a different process than a roof tear-off. While a tear-off involves the removal of old shingles intended to be replaced, a full demolition removes the entire roof. This is often done when homeowners want to make changes to the roofline or are adding a second-floor addition to the home. Or, it may be necessary if there is substantial damage to the decking or overall structure.

The cost to remove a roof range from $3,400 to $8,500, on average. Although the final price will vary depending on the roof type and whether it was built with rafters or trusses.

A full basement demolition is often very pricey and invasive. It involves complete excavating of the surrounding area, including the removal of entire walls and the slab at the bottom. As a result, the process can be time-consuming, challenging, and expensive. Removing a basement costs an average of $5,000 to $25,000. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the basement, the more expensive it will be to remove. Also, if you want to fill in the basement after removal, the overall costs will increase more.

Before beginning any sort of demolition, it is crucial to verify that the gas, electricity, and water are shut off. Your contractor should also take care of HVAC units, electrical connections, and plumbing pipes. When demolishing an entire structure, it’s vital to disconnect all gas, water, and electricity lines.

Even if you’re only performing a partial demolition of interior walls, you should still turn off the necessary utilities. That way, your pro can remove, reroute, or replace pipes, wires, and HVAC lines accordingly. Hiring an electrician is recommended to ensure safety and that your home is up to code. Electricians typically cost between $50 and $100 an hour.

When demolishing a home, you also want to invest in proper safety gear and mark and tape off designated construction areas. If you are helping with the removal, make sure you wear work boots, a hardhat, gloves, and protective clothing at all times. Also, provide masks for those who will be on-site during or after the demolition, and use cardboard or fabric mats to distinguish which walkways are safe and which are hazardous.

If you intend to demolish a home in order to construct a new one, you can expect the cost to be approximately $10,000 for the total demolition. Rebuilding a house can cost you between $170,000 and $485,000, and what you plan to place on your property after the teardown will impact the final cost of the demolition. The size of both homes, where they are located, as well as the materials used in construction will also play a role in the final price.

Hiring an architect before your home is demolished can be a great way to save time and money. The architect will work with your contractor to determine if any components of the home can be spared or reused. The cost to hire an architect in the United States is about $5,300 on average.

If the home you intend to demolish has a substantial amount of asbestos in the roof, siding, insulation, walls, or flooring, the removal costs can be two to three times more than a standard demolition. This equates to a total cost range of $10 to $30 per square foot. Although, the national average to remove just the asbestos is approximately $2,000.

Hazardous waste has a major impact on the cost of removing debris. It’s not uncommon for older homes to contain asbestos, and there are specific fees and considerations involved in the removal and disposal. Since asbestos can become an airborne toxin as it ages, a home that is contaminated with asbestos cannot be demolished without proper handling techniques.

When it comes to tearing down a mobile home, the cost will largely depend on its size. Most mobile homes are smaller than traditional homes, but there are some that are just as big. The average cost to demolish a mobile home is between $2,000 and $6,000. The biggest difference in cost between demolishing a standard home and a mobile home is the fact that mobile homes usually don’t have a permanent foundation.

Foundations increase the cost of demolition, making the cost to demolish a traditional home much higher than removing a mobile home. Otherwise, the mobile home is demolished in pretty much the same way, with mechanical demolition being the most common method.