Got a property that really needs to be demolished? Maybe you’re thinking of building an ADU in place of that old, rickety detached garage. Or you bought a great property but the building on it is falling apart. Whatever the reason, demolition may be in your future. You may be wondering if it’s even possible. How much will it cost? How do you even begin the process?
There are a few things to do to make the process of demolishing a building go seamlessly.
How much does it cost to demolish a building in Phoenix?
Depending on the type of building you are demolishing, the price will vary. It costs about $4 to $8 per square foot to demolish a commercial building. A house will cost about $2 to $17 per square foot. That’s a big variance in price, to be sure. It all comes down to the complexity of the project. The more complex the demolition, the more it is going to cost.
Since most demolition contractors charge by the square foot, it is imperative to get an accurate measurement of your property so you have an overall idea of the price. Your final cost is going to depend on whether the process is manual or requires heavy equipment.
That said, different buildings will have different demolition costs.
- Attached or Detached Garage: Since many garages have electrical and plumbing considerations, it can cost from $2 to $6 per square foot.
- Interior Walls and Ceilings: That open plan home doesn’t get that way on it’s own. You may have to tear out a wall or two to achieve this up-to-date look. It will cost about $1,200 to $5,000 to raze indoor walls.
- Decks: If your home has an unsound ground floor deck, your best bet is to tear it down and rebuild it. Depending on how your deck is designed, it could cost anywhere from $30 to $50 per square foot to demolish.
- Shed: Tearing out a shed will cost between $50 and $100 per hour. It all depends on the size of the building, how easy it is to access and the amount of debris that will have to be hauled away. Sure, a shed may seem like an easy thing to dismantle, but depending on the building material, the job may require extensive equipment for the demolition. Then, the pieces will have to be broken up and hauled away.
- Swimming Pool: Tearing out a swimming pool is a complex project. It costs between $2,700 to $19,000. It depends on whether you choose to fill in or partially demolish your pool, or completely tear the thing out.
- Roof: Are you demolishing the whole roof, or just problematic sections of it? How steep is that roof? These factor into the overall cost of tearing out a roof. Expect to pay $4 to $5 per square foot or $45+ an hour for labor.
- Driveway: Ahhh...the cracked driveway. Before you replace it, first you have to remove the old one. Expect to pay $1 to $2 per square foot.
- Foundation: If you want to remove that foundation, expect to pay between $1,000 and $5,000.
- Chimney: It costs about $4,000 to $10,000 to remove a chimney. The final cost depends on many factors. Is the chimney bolted to the building? Is it built into the structure? Do you have to repair any roof damage that may occur when removing the chimney?
- Additions: Have a space with a poorly constructed addition? Maybe it was added without permits and you want to have a permitted space? You may have to tear it out and start all over. Demolishing a home addition costs about $50 to $100 per hour in labor costs.
How do I get my site ready for a demolition in Phoenix?
Before you start tearing down your property, there are a few things you have to get in order. First of all, it is critical to ensure that gas, water, and electricity are shut off before you demolish anything. Make sure to disconnect those same gas, water and electricity lines before you bulldoze your structure. You will also need professionals to address plumbing pipes, HVAC units, and electrical wiring and outlets.
Take care of asbestos before you demolish your building in Phoenix
The dreaded word: asbestos. Many properties built in the 1980 or earlier contain asbestos. While it’s harmless while left alone, it becomes an airborne toxic when it flakes off and disburses in the air. Asbestos was commonly used in construction in floor tiles, cement sheet, steam pipes, insulations, etc. Before you even think about tearing down your structure, you want to hire a professional, certified asbestos inspector to take a look at your property.
If the hazardous material is found, it must be taken out very very carefully. It is crucial to remove ALL asbestos before any kind of demolition project. There are very rigid guidelines set by federal, state, and local authorities regarding the removal of asbestos. A professional must take the asbestos out of your home and dispose of it properly.
In general, it costs between $2 and $3 per square foot to remove asbestos, or about $2,000 for a home. Make sure you get a written estimate on how much it will cost to tear out and dispose of the asbestos before you begin your project.
Permits, Licenses, and Other Policies
Before demolishing anything, you want to make sure you have all your ducks in a row. So make sure you have all the necessary permits. Let the utility companies know that you are going to demolish your building. While permit cost is usually included in the price of your demolition, check with your contractor to make sure.