How Much Does It Cost to Demolish a House?

There’s a lot to think about when you’re considering building a home on your lot that already has a house on it. Whether you live in the house or not, you need to rely on experienced custom home builders to guide you in the process of demolition. Besides the outright monetary costs of tearing down a structure and carrying the material off to a dump, there’s also the costs to the environment to consider. Feel good about your decision, potentially save money and use your resources wisely by calling Cayman Builders before you make a final decision.

What’s It Cost to Tear Down an Existing House?

The cost of house demolition varies widely, depending on a wide range of factors, including whether you plan on using the same company to build a new house on your lot. According to homeadvisor.com, the average price in the U.S. to demolish a home as of October 2020 was $18,000, but prices can range from as little as $3,000 to as much as $25,000. Cayman Builders evaluates each situation individually, but demolition pricing is usually based on square footage.

Prices per square foot can vary between $2 to $17 per square foot, but usually average between $4 and $15. Rural areas tend to be much cheaper than densely populated urban areas, partly because there are fewer codes and regulations to follow. If the demolition includes the foundation, this can add significantly to the price, no matter where the tear-down occurs.

How Can I Determine the Cost of Demolition?

With the team of experienced professionals at Cayman Builders, you have an ally to work with. Rely on them to find you the best price and highest value when you need to demolish a structure before rebuilding. Besides the square footage and location, a demolition team needs to consider other factors, as well.

Given the nature of a demolition project, each one has to be approached as a unique endeavor. Details that typically raise your demolition costs include considerations such as:

• Does the house have any additions? Garages, additions and even porches can add to the cost.
• Are any toxic materials present? Asbestos and lead paint in particular have to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
• Are any special permits or inspections required? It depends on the location of the property.
• Are extra expenses required for waste material clearing?

Why Demolish and Rebuild Rather Than Renovate?

Many homeowners struggle with the decision of whether to demolish and rebuild or renovate what they have. If you’re unsure, the expert team at Cayman Builders can help you decide. But there are still some simple questions you can ask yourself to help you decide which course is best for your personal situation. These include:

• Do you hate your house, but love your location? If yes, it may be time to demolish.
• Does your house no longer fulfill its primary function for you? If your home doesn’t suit your current needs, it’s time to demolish.
• Will building an addition suffice? Building an addition is less expensive than demolishing and starting over. If all you need is an extra room or two, consider an addition. Otherwise, it’s time to demolish.
• Has the existing home aged poorly? Does it not meet strict the new building standards? The 2010 Building Code mandates much better construction techniques with stronger foundations and better mechanical systems. If you’re ready to upgrade to a newer structure, it’s time to demolish the old.
• Is your existing home eco-friendly? Cayman Builders’ new eco-friendly, energy efficient homes have a tighter building envelope for greater energy-efficiency and lower monthly utility bills.
• Have you found a great deal on the worst home in a great neighborhood? By demolishing and rebuilding, you can have the best house in that neighborhood.

Some owners of older homes have difficulty getting homeowners insurance, since structural issues can frighten insurance agents. Other reasons customers cite for preferring demolition over renovation include:

• The house doesn’t match the rest of the neighborhood.
• It’s smaller than average in square footage.
• The kitchens are outdated and especially tiny, with no room to expand.
• There aren’t enough bathrooms.
• There are structural or foundation issues.