What affects the cost of demolishing a house?

Demolition is priced job by job. These are the factors contractors weigh, roughly in order of how much they tend to matter.

Size and number of stories

More floor area means more material to take down and haul away. Contractors often quote by square foot of floor area, but a tall narrow house and a low wide one of the same floor area are not the same job.

Hazardous materials

Older homes may contain asbestos or lead paint. Where they are found, special handling and disposal are usually required, and the cost can rise a lot. Many places require a survey before demolition, so ask your local building department.

Basement, foundation and slabs

Removing a basement, footings or slab adds work and a lot of heavy debris. Some quotes cover only the structure above ground and leave the foundation for later, so check.

Access and site conditions

A tight lot, steep slope, narrow street or neighboring buildings close by can limit equipment and slow the work. Trees, fences, sheds, pools and septic tanks add to the list.

Utilities

Gas, electric, water and sewer must be disconnected safely before work starts. Find out who arranges this and who pays.

Debris disposal

Hauling and landfill fees vary by area and by material. Sorting out concrete, metal and wood for recycling can lower disposal costs in some places and cost extra in others.

Permits and rules

Most places require a demolition permit, and some require notices, inspections or protections for neighboring property. Fees and time vary.

Whole house or partial

Taking down part of a structure, or carefully removing materials to reuse them, is priced differently from knocking the whole thing down.