Cost To Demolish A House: A Full Breakdown

Maybe you’ve recently purchased a property with a house you want to demolish to build a new one. Or perhaps you already own a home but have decided that instead of renovating, it’s better to start from scratch.

In many cases, especially with dilapidated homes or those that will be replaced with something other than a single-family home, demolition is the best option. However, it can also be an expensive process (though perhaps not as expensive as you would think).

Keep reading to learn more about the cost of demolishing a house, factors that may affect the bottom line, alternatives to demolition and more.

How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House?

The cost of demolishing a house is calculated based on square footage. On average, it costs between $4 and $10 per square foot to demolish a home. The median home size in the U.S. is 1,886 square feet, meaning it would cost between $7,544 and $18,860 to demolish one. The national average cost to demolish a house is roughly $14,000.

Of course, there are other factors besides square footage that can affect the cost. For example, you might pay more to demolish a home that has hazardous materials like mold or asbestos or one that has special features like a basement or deck.

Factors That Affect House Demolition Cost

There are many different factors that can affect the cost of demolishing a house. We’ll discuss some of the most important factors below.

Square Footage

As we’ve mentioned, the size of the home is likely the biggest factor determining how much you spend on a demolition. It probably comes as no surprise that the larger your home, the more it will cost you to demolish it.

Location

Another factor to consider is your location. First, rural property demolition tends to be cheaper than urban demolition. Additionally, there are some states and regions that have a higher cost of living, and demolition is also likely to be more expensive in those areas.

Permits and Inspections

In most cases, you’ll need a permit to demolish a home. The cost of the permit process will depend on where you live and the characteristics of your home. Additionally, some locations may require that you pay for an inspection – or multiple inspections – ahead of time.

Home Features

There are certain factors that can increase the cost of your demolition. Examples may include decks, swimming pools, driveways and basements, all of which cost more per square foot to demolish. Here are some specific examples:

• Patio or deck: $1,500 – $2,800
• Detached garage: $1,000 – $5,000
• Driveway: $600 – $1,800
• In-ground swimming pool: $4,000 – $16,000
• Concrete foundation: $2,000 – $6,000
• Chimney: $500 – $6,000

Hazardous Materials

The presence of hazardous materials can increase the cost of your demolition. If there’s asbestos, mold or other hazardous materials, you could pay more, not only to demolish your home but also to safely dispose of those materials.

Machinery

The process of demolishing your home and the machinery used can impact your costs. For example, there’s different machinery used in a demolition versus a deconstruction, meaning your costs would also be different.

Cleanup

Once the house has been demolished, there’s still the process of cleaning up. Whatever you plan to do with the land, you’ll need to dispose of the materials from the house. The cost to get rid of debris will vary based on how much there is and local prices.

Other Types Of Home Demolition

Demolition sounds like a pretty straightforward process. But in addition to just a simple demolition, there are also other ways you can partially or fully remove a home from a property.

Deconstruction

Deconstruction is another way of taking down a home but in a more careful and methodical way. When you deconstruct a home, you dismantle things piece by piece so you’re able to salvage certain materials. For example, you might save a home’s fixtures, appliances, doors and windows, flooring and more, to either sell, donate or use in another house.

Deconstruction tends to be more expensive than simple demolition. Rather than costing between $4 and $10 per square foot, it’s more likely to cost in the range of $8 to $16.

Partial Demolition

It’s also possible to just partially demolish a home rather than demolish it entirely. When you partially demolish a home, you’re often getting rid of certain structures on the home or on the property. For example, you might use a partial demolition to get rid of a swimming pool, deck, chimney or another feature.

The cost of a partial demolition depends on what exactly you’re demolishing. To get an idea of how much it costs for a partial demolition, see the section above, where we outline the amount that certain features can add to a demolition.

Additional Costs After Home Demolition

When you demolish a home and dispose of the materials, that’s usually not where your expenses end. After all, you probably have other plans for the land, whether that means selling it as-is or building an entirely new home.

• Preparing to sell the land: If you’re planning to sell the land without the house, you’ll have real estate agent costs, closing costs and more. You may also incur some landscaping costs to make the property look more appealing to prospective buyers.
• Rebuilding: If you’re planning to build an entirely new home, you’re probably already planning for a major expense. The cost to build a new home depends on the size, but you can expect to pay as little as $80,000 to build an 800-square-foot home or as much as $542,000 to build a 3,500-square-foot home. For an average-sized home between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet, expect to pay between $150,000 and $310,000 to rebuild.

What’s The Cheapest Way To Demolish A House?

Doing a DIY demolition is by far the cheapest way to remove a home from a property. But while it may be the cheapest way, it’s usually not the best.

First, some states only allow licensed contractors to do some of the tasks that are required during a demolition. Additionally, demolition often requires heavy machinery that you either may not have access to or don’t know how to operate. Finally, trying to take on the project yourself could easily lead to injury or other unintended consequences.

In many cases, hiring a contractor to do the job actually ends up being the cheapest after all since they take care of everything, including getting the permits, acquiring the machinery, tearing down the home and avoiding any unintended damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Demolishing a home can be a major undertaking. Here are a few additional things you may want to know before you get started.

Do you need a permit to tear down a house?

In most cases, you’ll need a permit to demolish a house. The permit is usually issued by your city and may come with a fee and a certain timeframe in which you can demolish the home.

How do you calculate demolition costs?

The simplest way to calculate your demolition costs is by multiplying the average price per square foot by the size of your home. However, you can get a more precise calculation by getting a quote from a local contractor.

How do I prepare my house for demolition?

Before demolishing your home, you should remove all of your personal belongings. You must also be sure to turn off the utilities for the home and make certain they’ve been turned off before demolition begins.

The Bottom Line: House Demolition Isn’t Cheap

There are plenty of reasons someone might demolish a home, including having a dilapidated home that you want to replace or finding the perfect piece of land to buy, but you want to replace the existing house with your dream home.

Unfortunately, demolishing a home can be expensive. And the price can increase quickly based on certain characteristics of the home. As a result, it’s not a decision that should be taken lightly.

If you decide to demolish your home, you may need a construction loan to build a new one. Or you may decide to buy empty land and start from scratch. Either way, you’ll want to start shopping around for a loan to make the building process easier.

Rocket Mortgage^® is ready to help you find the right mortgage to buy or build your dream home.