How Much Does It Cost to Demolish a House in 2024?

Average Cost to Demolish a House

House Demolition Cost Factors

Home demolition costs range widely depending on size, layout, location, and other factors.

Size

Square footage is the biggest factor in a home demolition job. Demolition contractor rates are about $4 to $17 per square foot, and added complexity can increase costs to $25 per square foot or more. Demolishing just the home and leaving the foundation intact represents the lower end of the cost range at around $4 to $10 per square foot.

Homes with multiple levels present accessibility issues and other challenges for contractors, often costing more than single-level homes with comparable square footage. Below are the average cost ranges for small to large homes.

Location

Demolition costs vary across regions. Densely populated areas often have higher labor costs and stricter regulations than rural regions. Logistical challenges, such as heavy traffic, narrow streets, and limited parking, can complicate the management of demolition vehicles and machinery.

Stringent city regulations and building codes may require homeowners to follow strict rules around dust, construction noise, waste disposal, traffic management, and other factors, potentially delaying demolition progress or increasing overall costs.

Permits and Inspections

Preparing your site for demolition generally involves obtaining the necessary building permits and completing inspections and land surveys. Ranging from $100 to $500 on average, permit requirements apply to most demolitions. The required permits depend on your local government’s regulations. Some municipalities grant permits that cover all aspects of demolition, while others may require separate permits for utility removal, material disposal, environmental impact, and other demolition tasks.

Most demolitions require cutting utility lines before work begins, which costs around $600 to $3,800 with building permit costs and inspections. This includes utilities such as gas, electric, sewer, and water lines or wells.

Labor

Labor varies widely depending on location, cost of living, and overall demand. Depending on the demo's scope, local demolition contractors charge between $50 and $100 per hour. Higher rates typically reflect contractors based in high-cost-of-living metropolitan areas or those with advanced skills and experience.

Machinery

The type of demolition project impacts the machinery required for the job and the corresponding costs, which average $100 to $250 per hour. Demolition machinery, such as excavators, hydraulic shears, and bulldozers, efficiently tear down structures and are generally more expensive. Skid steer loaders and other deconstruction machinery or equipment don’t need as much power and typically cost less.

Most contractors factor these costs into their estimates. They arrange machinery and operators from their own fleet or a heavy-duty machinery rental company.

Disposal and Cleanup

Demolishing a house leaves behind waste and debris that require proper disposal. Cleaning and disposal costs range from $300 to $1,800, with dumping fees ranging from $50 to $500 per ton, depending on whether the materials are hazardous. Demolition contractors usually include disposal and cleanup costs in their estimates but check the itemized contract before proceeding.

Additional House Demolition Cost Factors

While they won’t all necessarily apply to your project, consider these extra cost factors as you plan your demolition budget. 

Asbestos

Asbestos removal averages $2,200, or about $5 to $20 per square foot. Many homes built before 1989 may have asbestos insulation, a hazardous and currently banned material. Professional asbestos removal services use protective gear to carefully remove these materials ahead of demolition. They follow careful procedures and test the air quality according to Environmental Protection Agency standards to prevent asbestos exposure.

Accessibility and location play a role in asbestos costs, with less accessibility translating to higher rates.

Demolition vs. Deconstruction

Demolition involves fully tearing down the structure, typically with heavy-duty machinery, and disposing of the resulting debris. This option is best for buildings in poor condition with materials not worth salvaging, whether due to age, weather damage, fire, or other causes.

In comparison, deconstruction involves carefully dismantling a home to salvage wood, fixtures, hardware, and other materials. Deconstruction allows these materials to be recycled or repurposed in another build, reducing total construction and demolition waste contribution to landfills.

The manual labor required to deconstruct a home often outweighs the cost of demolition, sometimes even doubling costs. Donating these materials may qualify you for significant federal government tax benefits.

Rebuilding

If you plan to build a new home after demolition, the average cost is about $150 per square foot, ranging from $138,500 to $525,400. Location, materials, and other factors result in wide cost variations beyond these averages. Selling the land instead of rebuilding comes with closing fees, real estate agent costs, and more.

Demolition Costs by Structure Type

Some demolitions partially remove structures rather than the entire building. Partial demolition removes specific areas or structures, such as rotting floors or walls, pools, or kitchens. See cost ranges for common partial demolition projects below.

Interior Walls

Removing interior walls and other structures averages $1,200 to $5,000. Removing non-load-bearing walls may cost as little as $100 per wall. Demolishing load-bearing structures can cost up to $10,000 because it involves re-engineering a well-supported structure.

Many homeowners opt for demolishing their home’s interior because it retains the main structure and systems but offers a blank design canvas. You can customize a new layout, fix hidden damage, optimize energy efficiency, and enhance aesthetic appeal.

Shed or Barn

Demolishing a barn or shed costs $50 to $100 per hour or about $400 to $7,000. These structures are generally smaller than houses and feature less complex designs, making demolition easier and faster.

Roof

Roof demolition costs $5,000 to $11,000. Steep roof pitches, complex layouts, and other accessibility challenges increase costs. Asphalt disposal may add to the total if your municipality enforces high recycling fees.

Foundation

Foundation demolition costs range from $2,000 to $6,000, or $1 to $3 per square foot. The total costs depend on the foundation’s depth and basement excavation requirements.

Driveway

Demolition is common for worn and cracked driveways where repair isn’t an economical option. Total costs range from $1,800 to $2,300, depending on the driveway material, square footage, thickness, and disposal costs.

Swimming Pool

Removing an in-ground swimming pool costs between $4,000 and $19,000. Pools have carefully reinforced designs that require specialized removal, but the cost of excavation, removal, and fill-in can offer improved property value, safety, landscaping space, and other benefits.

House Demolition vs. Remodeling

Choosing between home demolition and rebuilding vs. remodeling depends on your budget, timeline, and other factors. Remodeling costs significantly less than rebuilding, and you can complete remodeling projects over time to spread out costs. It allows for updating and improving specific areas of the home while preserving the existing structure and characteristics. Quality remodels can offer strong returns and increased property value.

In many cases, demolition and rebuilding is a better choice than remodeling. Greater space requirements, structures in poor condition, and other factors may warrant demolition, especially if the cost is comparable to remodels or repairs. Demolition is best suited for homeowners wanting a customized build tailored to modern needs. It’s a higher upfront investment but provides a long-lasting home with updated materials.

Budgeting for a House Demolition

A house demolition is a major expense, but a strategic plan helps trim and streamline your budget. Try these tips to maximize the efficiency of your investment:

• Get quotes from multiple demolition contractors to get the best value.

• Research experienced and reputable contractors with good customer reviews.

• Salvage materials to repurpose, sell, or donate.

• Create a detailed plan for all costs, including permits and inspections.

• Pad your budget by 10% to 20% to accommodate surprise expenses.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.