Demolition Project Cost Estimator

Estimate the total cost of a demolition project based on structure type, size, location factors, and debris disposal requirements.

Fill in the fields above and click Calculate.

Formula

Total Cost = (Core Cost + Abatement + Disposal + Permits) × (1 + Contingency%)

  • Core Cost = Sq Ft × Base Rate ($/sqft) × Stories Multiplier × Method Multiplier × Location Multiplier
  • Base Rates (suburban): Wood frame $4–$8/sqft · Brick $6–$12/sqft · Light commercial $5–$10/sqft · Heavy commercial $10–$20/sqft · Garage $3–$6/sqft · Pool $3.50–$7/sqft
  • Stories Multiplier: 1 story = 1.00 · 2 stories = 1.15 · 3+ stories = 1.30
  • Method Multiplier: Mechanical = 1.00 · Selective/Deconstruction = 1.50 · Implosion = 2.20
  • Location Multiplier: Rural = 0.85 · Suburban = 1.00 · Urban = 1.20 · High-Cost Metro = 1.40
  • Abatement: Minor = 10% area × $25/sqft · Moderate = 40% area × $35/sqft · Full = 100% area × $50/sqft (all × location multiplier)
  • Debris Tons = (Sq Ft × lbs/sqft) ÷ 2000 · Wood/light = 1 lb/sqft · Masonry/heavy = 2 lbs/sqft
  • Disposal = Debris Tons × Rate/ton · Landfill = $65 · Recycling = $55 (−$10/ton salvage credit) · On-site = $15
  • Estimated Range = Total ± 15%

Assumptions & References