Demolishing part or all of a home costs between $3,600 and $15,100, with most people paying around $9,400.
On average, partial or total home demolition costs $9,400. However, you can pay anywhere between $300 and $50,000 depending on the size of the demolition area. You’ll spend $4 to $17 per square foot for many demolition jobs. Whether you’re planning to demo a single room or your entire house, here’s how to calculate demolition costs for your project.
To come up with an accurate house demolition cost calculation, you’ll need to consider the following factors.
The size of the space you’re demolishing is the main factor to consider when calculating the cost. On average, demolishing a home costs between $4 and $17 per square foot. So, the larger the demolition area, the more you’ll pay.
| Square Footage | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 | $400–$1,700 |
| 250 | $1,000–$4,250 |
| 500 | $2,000–$8,500 |
| 750 | $3,000–$12,750 |
| 1,000 | $4,000–$17,000 |
| 1,500 | $6,000–$25,500 |
| 2,000 | $8,000–$34,000 |
| 2,500 | $10,000–$42,500 |
| 3,000 | $12,000–$51,000 |
| 3,500 | $14,000–$59,500 |
If you don’t plan on demolishing your entire home, you might be curious how much it costs to demo individual parts of it. Here’s how much you can expect to pay for a partial demolition project based on the type of room or structure you’re removing.
| Structure | Average Demolition Cost |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Bathroom | $500–$2,500 |
| Garage | $2,000–$9,000 |
| Chimney | $4,000–$10,000 |
| Interior walls or ceilings | $1,200–$5,000 |
| Roof | $5,000–$11,000 |
| Driveway | $1,800–$2,300 |
| Basement | $300–$25,000 |
| Deck | $300–$3,000 |
| Foundation | $2,000–$6,000 |
Some materials are harder—and pricier—to get rid of than others. For example, heavy materials (like concrete, marble, and brick) are more difficult to demolish than lighter ones (such as wood). If you plan to remove bulky materials, you should increase your budget to account for additional equipment and extra labor.
Most demo projects are priced per square foot and include the price of labor (which represents a significant chunk of demolition costs). But if yours doesn’t, you can expect to pay a local demolition contractor between $50 and $100 per hour. Labor rates depend on your location and the contractor’s experience.
Specific permitting requirements and pricing depend on where you live, but you’ll likely need at least one permit for partial or total home demolition. On average, a demolition building permit costs $200. Contractors often pull the necessary permits for you (and include the costs in their estimate), but it’s best to confirm this ahead of time.
Your geographical location plays a big role in the overall cost of your project. Demolishing part or all of a home in a densely populated urban area will cost more than it would in a suburban or rural region due to higher labor costs, permitting fees, and other expenses.
You’ll also need to account for the cleanup and disposal of materials from your demolition. This runs between $300 and $1,800 and is often built into a contractor’s estimate (but it’s worth double-checking before the project begins). There may be additional costs for disposing of hazardous materials, like asbestos or lead paint.
In addition to your house, you might also want to demolish other structures on your property. Here’s how much you’ll pay for this type of work.
| Structure | Average Demolition Cost |
|---|---|
| In-ground swimming pool | $4,000–$19,000 |
| Aboveground swimming pool | $300–$2,500 |
| Shed | $400–$1,500 |
| Barn | $2,000–$7,000 |
You shouldn’t handle your own demolition work unless you’re actually a licensed demolition pro yourself. This job involves working with electrical and plumbing systems, load-bearing walls, and hazardous materials. Making a mistake could put your life at risk, compromise the structural integrity of your home, and cause other dangerous and costly problems. Plus, the equipment needed is costly, licensing is required, and you don’t have the logistical knowledge to finish the job in a normal amount of time.
With that said, if you’re an advanced DIYer, you might feel comfortable tackling small demolition projects, like tearing down a non-load-bearing wall. However, if you have any doubts whatsoever, play it safe and bring in a professional who can demolish a house. Similarly, if you think that your home might have asbestos, lead-based paint, or other hazardous materials, call a pro.
Demolition is often the first phase of a larger project. Once you’ve torn down and disposed of the existing materials and structures, here’s how much you should budget for rebuilding:
Cost to build a house: $138,800–$525,700
Cost to build a wall: $950–$3,200
Cost to build a pool: $25,00–$58,700
Cost to build a barn: $1,600–$5,300
Cost to build a shed: $1,000–$15,000
Demolishing part or all of your home is a major financial undertaking. Fortunately, though, there are some ways to save on this project. One of the best ways is to opt for deconstruction rather than demolition.
Deconstruction involves carefully dismantling your home to salvage certain materials and structures. While deconstruction costs more than demolition up front, you may be able to make up the difference by selling intact cabinets, high-end materials, appliances, or other valuable items. Alternatively, you could donate them to receive tax benefits or reuse them in a new construction.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
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You might consider demolishing a house if it has a faulty foundation, widespread mold or pest damage, or other significant issues. Older homes with outdated wiring systems or dangerous materials could also be good candidates for demolition. Or, if you’re planning to remodel the entire home, you might find that it’s more cost-effective to tear it all down and start from scratch.
Yes, you need permits and inspections to demolish a home. To avoid any fines or legal penalties, check your local laws and building codes before beginning any type of demo work. In many cases, your contractor will apply for the permits and include the cost in your quote, but if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask.
