How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House
To the untrained eye, a house demolition can appear to be an uncomplicated process that does not require much preparation and planning. After all, what can be seen and heard during the process is the use of sledgehammers, crowbars and other tools of demolition. However, to demolish a house requires a lot of skill, experience and knowledge of building laws and infrastructure. There are a number of things that need to be considered: the size of the house, the age, materials used, environmental and health risks involved, etc.
Typical Cost To Demolish A House
The cost ranges from $12,500 to $31,500 for an average-sized American home.
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This estimate is arrived at using the following estimates:
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a) According to Hometown Demolition Contractors, the average range for residential demolition cost per square foot is $6.00 to $15.00 per square foot, and
- b) the average-sized American home in 2009, is 2,094 square feet according to estimates by the National Association of Home Builders.
Consider These Factors
- If a home has environmental issues (asbestos, for example) this can increase demolition costs by as much as $3 per square foot. The presence of asbestos and other hazardous material could require proper abatement under Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
- The type of materials used in the construction of the home also has an impact; the presence of concrete, for example, increases the overall cost.
- The number of floors also has to be considered. Multilevel structures mean higher expenses, since it is more difficult to safely demolish the building. .
Included In The Cost
Typical demolition costs include project planning, site preparation and demolition work. It can also include waste removal, environmental safeguards and site restoration. For home demolitions, the cost may include cost estimation of the demolition, asbestos abatement, securing the necessary permits, submitting necessary notifications, disconnecting gas, water and electric utilities, rodent baiting, and development of site-specific safety and work plans. Homes are demolished either manually or mechanically using large hydraulic equipment such as excavators, cranes or bulldozers.
Additional Costs
- Are you considering site restoration as part of the services you require? This could increase your demolition expenses.
- Site excavation and clearing activities can increase your costs. If you need to haul the debris to a landfill you will need to pay for hauling and landfill fees.
- If hauling debris is not part of the contract you had with a demolition services company, you may need to rent a dumpster to haul it yourself.
- Depending on the size, a 10-day dumpster rental ranges from $295 to $650. .
Tips
- When shopping around for home demolition services, get a detailed list of items included in the demolition quotes. Items you should watch out for include: travel costs, debris removal, equipment costs and insurance
- Compare quotes and ask for referrals from previous clients. Look at similar-sized projects they have undertaken. If a quotation is very different from the rest, ask why and be sure no crucial details are missed.
- To find a local demolition contractor in the US, go to Hometown Demolition Contractors. .
References.
30-Year Growth Spurt Ends for Average American House Size
http://ecopolitology.org/2010/02/21/30-year-growth-spurth-ends-for-average-american-house-size/</a.
Demolition Cost - Estimating Demolition Costs & Prices
http://www.hometowndemolitioncontractors.com/demolition-cost.html</a.
Demolition Cost Estimates and Scrap Metal Valuations
http://brick.olx.com/building-demolition-cost-estimates-and-scrap-metal-valuations-iid-32103994</a.
Dumpster Rental rates
http://www.thedumpsterdivers.com/pricing/dumpster/</a.