Updated January 24, 2023
"Structural demolition" is the physical dismantling of any type of structure, whether it be a home, commercial building, barn, garage, etc.
In this guide, we'll outline the main points to consider when approaching structural demolition to ensure your project goes smoothly.
Jump to:
- How Structural Demolition Works
- How Much Structural Demolition Costs
- How to Find a Structural Demolition Contractor
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How Structural Demolition Works
The two most common ways to demolish a structure are either traditional, mechanical demolition with the assistance of heavy equipment, or by tearing down the structure by hand (also known as deconstruction).
Mechanical demolition is the most common form of demolition—the structure is ripped down with the help of hydraulic excavators and other heavy machinery.
The resulting debris is then hauled away typically using a dumpster rental.
Also known as "green demolition" or "demolition by hand," the deconstruction process involves manually stripping and deconstructing the structure piece by piece with the intent of salvaging as many of the materials inside the structure as possible.
Another option is a combination of the two—partially deconstructing the structure by hand before having the rest of the structure demolished with an excavator—and is a way to save some money on demolition.
Learn more:
- Deconstruction vs Demolition: When to Deconstruct a Building
- To Demolish or Not to Demolish: Historic Properties
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How Much Structural Demolition Costs
Traditional mechanical demolition is the cheapest and fastest structural demolition option, with the average structural demolition cost ranging quite a bit due to the various factors that come into play.
For example, house demolition costs range from $4,000-$14,000 on average, commercial building demolition costs range from $20,000-$40,000 on average, barn demolition costs range from $1,500-$10,000, and garage demolition costs range from $1,000-$3,000 on average.
For deconstruction, you can expect to pay 2-3x as much due to the additional labor involved.
Just as there's more than one way to demolish a structure, demolition costs vary, too.
Main Factors Affecting Structural Demolition Costs:
- Size of the structure
- Materials your structure was built with
- Location of your structure
- Demolition method used
- Whether or not hazardous materials are present
- Contractor you hire
Keep reading: How Much Does Demolition Cost per Square Foot?
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How to Find a Qualified Structural Demolition Contractor
Start by looking into local demolition contractors qualified to perform structural demolition in your area.
We recommend reading customer reviews to be sure their past customers had positive experiences.
Structural demolition contractors should also be licensed and insured to perform the work.
At Hometown, we specialize in helping customers find qualified local demolition contractors quickly and easily.
With Hometown, you can browse contractors that serve your zip code, learn more about their company, read customer reviews, and easily request multiple quotes to compare them—all in one place.
Hometown's online quote request form makes it easy to send a single quote request to multiple contractors with the click of a button.
Simply answer a few quick questions, and we'll send your request to up to three local contractors on your behalf, so you save time.
Reaching out to multiple contractors will increase your chances of hiring the best possible contractor for your project.
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