Worked example: demolishing a 600 sq ft detached garage
At $10/sq ft the structure is $6,000; slab removal adds $1,800; permits and utility disconnects $400 — total near $8,200. A clean wood-frame garage with no slab removal can come in under $5,000. Add a shared driveway access constraint or an attached structure and expect the quote to climb 20–30% for hand-demo portions.
- • Utility disconnects (electric, gas, water, sewer) must be completed and documented before the demo permit issues — schedule them 2–4 weeks ahead.
- • Salvage value is real: old-growth framing, brick, and fixtures can offset $500–$2,000 through salvage yards.
- • Neighbor notification and dust/debris control are permit conditions in most cities — a contractor who skips them risks your stop-work order.
The teardown math for investors
Teardown economics: land value minus (purchase + demo + carrying) must beat the cost of renovation. At $10/sq ft, a 1,500 sq ft teardown with abatement and foundation removal runs $35,000–$50,000 all-in — cheap against metro land values, expensive against rural ones. Always demo-quote before closing on a 'renovation' property with structural red flags; the demo number sometimes is the renovation budget.
FAQ
How much does it cost to demolish a house in 2026?
$8–$18 per sq ft, so $12,000–$27,000 for a 1,500 sq ft house — plus $5,000–$15,000 more if asbestos abatement or foundation removal is involved.
How much does garage demolition cost?
A detached two-car garage (400–600 sq ft) runs $4,000–$9,000 including disposal; slab removal adds $1,500–$3,000.
Do I need a permit for demolition?
Yes for structures in nearly every jurisdiction — plus documented utility disconnects. Interior non-structural gutting sometimes needs only a standard remodel permit.
How long does house demolition take?
Mechanical demo: 2–5 days for the structure, another 2–3 for debris and site grading. Asbestos abatement adds 1–3 weeks before the machines start.
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