Cost to Demolish a House Guide ()
The cost to demolish a house ranges from $7,600 to $26,300 depending on the size of the house. Houses with basements are at the higher end of this range. To get a more accurate cost for your demolition project, request a quote. Please note that if you use our matching service, we may be compensated.
Topics Covered in this Guide: Cost to Demolish a House | Cost to Demolish a House Factors | Frequently Asked Questions | Related Cost Guides | Cost to Demolish a House in Your Area
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How Much Does It Cost to Demolish a House?
The cost to demolish a house ranges from $7,600 to $26,300 depending on the size of the house. Houses with basements are at the higher end of this range.
This guide is intended to provide you an approximate cost to demolish a house. To get a quote for your specific project, request a free estimate. Our research, although general in nature, does include feedback provided by demolition contractors and research conducted by the HomeBlue staff.
Cost to demolish a house based on the size of the house:
- Cost to demolish a house (less than 4,000-sf, no basement): $7,600 to $15,800.
- Cost to demolish a house (less than 4,000-sf, with basement): $9,200 to $19,700.
- Cost to demolish a house (greater than 4,000-sf, with basement): $12,400 to $26,300.
Garage demolition cost:
- Garage demolition cost (one to two car garage): $2,000 to $5,300.
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Factors that Influence the Cost to Tear Down a House
When demolition services come to your house to provide you an estimate, they will consider a number of factors that can increase or decrease the cost of your project. Pricing for your demolition project will vary based on your geographic location, the size of your house, and the terrain of the site. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you get quotes from demo companies:
Your prices may be higher when:
- The house is greater than 4,000-sf.
- The house has a basement.
- The project is located in a densely constructed urban area that requires more careful planning and local compliance.
- There are environmental conditions to consider, such as the removal of asbestos or oil tanks.
- The site is difficult to access (tight space, difficult terrain).
- Trees need to be removed.
- The site has rocky soil conditions.
- Local waste disposal costs are higher.
- The location of the property has higher permit costs.
- Labor and machine rental costs in the geographic location of the project are higher.
- The property is difficult to access (higher travel and mobilization costs).
Your prices may be lower when:
- The house is less than 4,000-sf.
- The house does not have a basement.
- The structure is easy to access and machines can easily navigate the site.
- No trees need to be cut.
- Local waste disposal costs are less expensive.
- The geographic region of the project has lower labor and machine rental costs.
- The property is easy to access (lower travel and mobilization costs).
- No environmental issues are present (no asbestos or oil tanks).
- The site has normal soil conditions (not rocky).
- The site is open and easily navigated by demolition equipment.
- Permit and regulatory requirements are minimal.
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Demolition FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions related to demolition:
The time required for demolishing a house using mechanical methods (such as bull dozers, etc.) typically falls within the range of a few days to about a week. A small house with no basement may be demolished in a day or two, while a larger house with a basement will take about a week to demolish and remove all materials.
Concrete removal cost ranges from $3 to $7 per square foot (for a 4” to 6” slab). The cost will depend on the exact dimensions of the concrete area being removed, as well as any additional factors that may affect the complexity of the job, such as accessibility, thickness of the concrete, and any obstacles in the vicinity.
Pool removal cost ranges from $6,000 to $15,800 for a typical residential pool. The cost will depend on the exact dimensions of the pool being removed, as well as other factors such as the ability to access the pool and permit requirements.
Yes, you can donate a house that you intend to demolish. There are local organizations (like Second Chance) that will manually dismantle a house and salvage the materials. This process typically takes longer than mechanical demolition and can thus slow the construction process by a month to six weeks, however, you may be able to get a tax deduction for your donation.
Yes, utilities will need to be properly disconnected prior to demolition. This step is crucial to ensuring safety and preventing hazards. Properly disconnecting utilities such as gas, water, and electricity is a necessary precaution to avoid accidents.
It is possible that the vibrations from the demolition of a house could impact neighboring properties. These vibrations may result in minor structural or aesthetic damages, which is why it's important to take precautionary measures to minimize their effects. Hiring an experienced demolition company can help ensure that the demolition process is conducted in a controlled manner, mitigating any potential negative impacts on nearby properties.
It is likely that you will need a permit to demolish a house. Discuss the permit process with the contractors you are considering for the project. A seasoned and reputable contractor should be comfortable and willing to help guide you through the process or willing to handle the task as part of their contract.
You can find demolition contractors by 1) asking a neighbor for a referral, especially if they recently hired a contractor to tear down a house, 2) searching for “demolition contractors” in your favorite search engine, 3) using a traditional paper directory resource (yellow pages), 4) looking for ads on your local TV station, 5) using an online matching service (a convenient way to find a local pro).
Related Cost Guides
We have researched several other closely related projects. If one of these projects better represents the type of project you are undertaking, please check out the appropriate guide:
- Need your lot cleared of trees and shrubs? Land Clearing Cost Guide
- Need trees removed? Tree Removal Cost Guide
Find the Cost to Demolish a House in Your Area
Cost to tear down a house varies from area to area. We have developed a number of cost to demolish a house guides to help you identify the cost to demo a house near you.
- How to Get Demolition Price Quotes
- How to Get Matched to Demolition Contractors
- Search for Cost to Demolish a House in Your City