Demolishing a structure is a significant undertaking that involves various costs beyond simply tearing down walls. Our Demolition Cost Calculator provides an estimated breakdown of these expenses to help you budget effectively. The cost is influenced by several key factors: the size of the structure, the type of construction, material disposal, site cleanup, and associated permits and labor.
How the Calculator Works
The calculator uses a formula that combines several cost components:
Base Demolition Cost: Calculated as Square Footage * Structure Type Factor. The 'Structure Type Factor' is a rate per square foot that varies based on the complexity and materials of the building.
Residential (Wood Frame): $10/sqft
Commercial (Light Steel/Masonry): $15/sqft
Industrial (Heavy Steel/Concrete): $20/sqft
Garages/Sheds: $12/sqft
Decks/Patios: $18/sqft
Material Disposal Cost: Calculated as Square Footage * Material Disposal Fee per sqft. This covers the cost of removing and disposing of debris, often requiring specialized hauling and landfill fees.
Site Cleanup Cost: Calculated as Square Footage * Site Cleanup Fee per sqft. This accounts for the labor and resources needed to clear the site of any remaining materials and prepare it for its next use.
Permits & Labor Factor: This is a multiplier applied to the sum of the above costs. It accounts for the cost of obtaining necessary permits, contractor overhead, insurance, and the overall labor involved in the project.
The Formula
Total Estimated Cost = ( (Square Footage * Structure Type Factor) + (Square Footage * Material Disposal Fee) + (Square Footage * Site Cleanup Fee) ) * Permits & Labor Factor
Example Calculation
Let's say you want to demolish a 1,500 sqft residential home (wood frame).
While this calculator provides a good estimate, real-world demolition costs can vary due to:
Location: Regional labor rates and disposal fees differ.
Accessibility: Difficult-to-access sites may incur higher costs.
Hazardous Materials: Presence of asbestos, lead paint, or other hazardous materials significantly increases costs due to specialized removal procedures.
Utilities: Disconnecting active utilities requires professional services.
Specific Requirements: Local regulations or client-specific needs can add complexity.
Always obtain quotes from multiple reputable demolition contractors for an accurate assessment of your specific project.
function calculateDemolitionCost() {
var sqft = parseFloat(document.getElementById("sqft").value);
var structureTypeFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById("structureType").value);
var materialDisposalFee = parseFloat(document.getElementById("materialDisposalFee").value);
var siteCleanupFee = parseFloat(document.getElementById("siteCleanupFee").value);
var permitsAndLaborFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById("permitsAndLabor").value);
var resultValue = 0;
var formattedResult = "$0.00";
if (!isNaN(sqft) && sqft > 0 &&
!isNaN(structureTypeFactor) && structureTypeFactor >= 0 &&
!isNaN(materialDisposalFee) && materialDisposalFee >= 0 &&
!isNaN(siteCleanupFee) && siteCleanupFee >= 0 &&
!isNaN(permitsAndLaborFactor) && permitsAndLaborFactor > 0) {
var baseDemolitionCost = sqft * structureTypeFactor;
var disposalCost = sqft * materialDisposalFee;
var cleanupCost = sqft * siteCleanupFee;
var subtotal = baseDemolitionCost + disposalCost + cleanupCost;
resultValue = subtotal * permitsAndLaborFactor;
formattedResult = "$" + resultValue.toFixed(2);
} else {
formattedResult = "Please enter valid numbers.";
}
document.getElementById("result-value").innerText = formattedResult;
}