Interior Demolition Cost Per Square Foot

You’ll pay a total of $2 to $7 per square foot of demolition depending on the materials you’re removing. Most of the cost is labor, but it’s broken down into a few specific areas:

• Labor: $1-$5 per square foot.
• Dumping Fees: $30-$120 per ton.
• Permits: $400-$1,800 total.
• Equipment: $300-$1,000 per day.

Commercial Interior Demolition Cost Per Square Foot

Commercial building demolition costs $4 to $8 per square foot or $40,000 to $80,000 for 10,000 square feet. Commercial demo meets different building code and construction requirements so reflects a slightly higher price.

Dumping & Recycling Fees

Besides the dumpster rental fees of $300 to $500, your contractor must pay waste removal fees.

• Dumping: $30-$120 per ton. This is the fee charged by the dump.
• Recycling Fees: $95-$120 per 7 cubic yards
• Hauling Prices: $230-$900 per 7 cubic yards. Prices depend on weight. Base price is $230 plus $50 per ton.

You can estimate 125 square feet of demo per 1 cubic yard of debris.

Average Cost to Gut a House

The average cost to gut a home runs $3,000 to $6,000. After gutting the house, complete rehab adds another $75,000 to $150,000. Remodeling multiple rooms costs $20,000 to $75,000 on average.

Demo Cost by Room

Interior Demolition Pricing

Interior demolition costs $2 to $7 per square foot. But prices differ depending on region and materials. It can either be the entire house, a single room or just a floor or wall. In some extreme cases, it refers to gutting the entire home so just the studs and carpentry framework remain. This is only necessary for massive remodeling jobs. Some of the most common projects include:

• Ripping existing cabinets out from the wall: $15-$70 per cabinet
• Removing flooring: $500-$5,500
• Removing fixtures: $10-$50 per fixture
• Knocking down walls: $100-$500

The most common tools used include pry bars, hammers, screwdrivers and an electrical reciprocating saw, but many professionals will rely on an arsenal of supplies to get the job done.

Tile Demo Cost

Tile removal costs $2 to $4 per square foot. Dumping runs anywhere from $300 to $1,000 depending on weight. Consider recycling it for half the price.

Carpet & Floor Demolition Cost

Flooring demolition prices range from $0.10 to $8 per square foot plus $200 to $500 for dumping. You’ll pay depending on the type of material. Materials include:

Cost to Demo Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinet removal costs $150 to $1,000. This price only covers the cabinets. Pros bill for flooring, walls, ceiling and appliances separately. If they’re in good condition, you can recoup some of the expense by donating or selling the old cabinetry.

Brick Fireplace & Chimney Removal Cost

Brick fireplace and chimney removal costs $100 to $10,000. Expect to pay $4 to $6 per square foot plus $500+ to have it hauled away.

Shower or Tub

Removing a shower or tub runs $50 to $500 or more for large tiled surrounds. If they’re in good condition, try removing the materials intact for donation.

Drywall

Removing drywall from ceilings and walls runs $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot. Taking out a wall costs anywhere from $300 to $1,000.

Insulation & Asbestos

Asbestos removal costs $1,000 to $3,000. Regular blown-in or batting insulation runs $0.10 per square foot for removal with the largest fees in disposal.

Demolition vs. Deconstruction Cost

You’ll spend twice as much on deconstruction as demolition, but you might be able to recoup the added expense and help the environment. Some pros use the words interchangeably, but they refer to two very different things.

Demolition

Demo costs $2 to $7 per square foot. It’s the process of removing all unwanted materials from a home without trying to save any of it. All old materials are waste and end up in a landfill.

Deconstruction

Deconstruction costs $5 to $14 per square foot. It’s a controlled method of dismantling a home to salvage all the building materials for future use. It doubles both the price and the time spent. However, donating the materials is a tax deduction and better for the environment.

DIY vs. Hire an Interior Demolition Team

Only tackle demolition on your own if you understand how to avoid damaging plumbing, electrical and load bearing walls. For example, removing a tile surround might seem simple, but one wrong swing and the water pipes in the walls could get damaged.

Hiring a professional gets the job done quickly, the waste hauled away and puts the liability of any damage on the contractor. Don’t risk adding to the cost of renovations. Hire a professional demolition expert near you today.

FAQs

Can I remove a wall in my house?

You can remove a wall in your home. Make sure that load bearing walls have proper support prior to removal. Hire a structural engineer before removing a wall to determine if it is load bearing and how to safely remove it.

Do I need a permit for interior demolition?

The overall construction or building permit will generally include the right to complete interior demolition. Many cities also offer interior demolition permits. You’ll need additional permits and specialists for asbestos or lead paint.

What is controlled demolition?

Controlled demolition is the complete removal of a structure, usually with explosives, in a controlled and strategic way.

Do I need a license for demolition?

In most places, you need a license for demolition. Check with your local city, county or state government licensing office.

What is a gut rehab?

A gut rehab is a term used by real estate professionals and house flippers for completely gutting a home and installing all new walls, floors, ceilings, electrical, plumbing and finishes.

Can I salvage anything?

You can salvage almost everything using a deconstruction process. Even with standard demolition you can save things like kitchen appliances, cabinets and even flooring. Many companies will pay a minimal fee in order to keep these materials. They go on to sell them to builders and private buyers.