Are you looking to tear down a house for a rebuild? Or maybe you’d like to get rid of part of your property as part of a major renovation project?
Whatever the reasons behind your desire to fully or partially tear down a house or building, you’ll need to hire a demolition contractor and spend a considerable amount for their services.
If you’re wondering how much you’ll have to pay for the total or partial of your house demolition, read the following article. You’ll find information to help you estimate the cost to tear down a house.
COSTS TO TEAR DOWN A HOUSE IN QUEBEC: AVERAGE PRICES
The costs involved to tear down a house can vary greatly. Some of the elements to consider when estimating the costs of tearing down a house include:
- The permits cost.
- The type of project (garage demolition, pool demolition, balcony, floor, etc.).
- The transportation and rental of heavy equipment.
- The labor cost.
- The materials used in the house.
- The demolition waste management.
With so many variables to consider, it’s no surprise that the price to tear down a house can vary widely, ranging from $4,000 to $25,000, and it can even exceed that. Most demolition projects are calculated per square foot, typically ranging from $5 to $15.
Knowing this, measuring the dimensions of your home can help you get a more precise estimate to tear down a house.
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FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE COST OF TEARING DOWN A HOUSE
Now that you have an idea of the average costs, here are the factors that will affect those costs.
1- THE COST OF NECESSARY PERMITS
In most areas of Quebec, you must obtain a demolition permit before demolishing a building. While the cost to comply with this regulation is not exorbitant, it’s worth mentioning because it’s also a matter of compliance.
The cost of a demolition permit varies depending on the city or municipality but generally falls between $50 and $200.
Tip: Take the time to check with your municipal administration if you’re considering demolishing a building that may have heritage value. You might need a special permit or be required to preserve certain architectural elements.
2- SITE PROXIMITY
If you want to save money when tearing down your house, choose a contractor from your area. The reason is that demolition work often requires heavy machinery, which must be transported on trailers pulled by powerful trucks.
The farther the demolition site is, the more expensive it will be to transport the excavators and other heavy machinery (fuel, vehicle wear and tear, etc.). The demolition contractor will then have no choice but to increase their price.
3- SITE ACCESSIBILITY
Will it be easy for the contractor to access the site and work efficiently with the appropriate equipment? That’s the question you need to ask yourself.
If your building is on uneven terrain, it would be difficult for a large excavator to access it, the demolition crew won’t be able to work as efficiently or quickly. If there are landscaping features to preserve, this could also complicate the demolition work.
And if your house is built on a small urban plot, there’s a good chance that waste management and the demolition process will be more complex.
In short, any obstacle that hinders the demolition crew’s work can increase the final bill.
4- PREPARING THE DEMOLITION SITE
Before proceeding with a building demolition, the site must be properly prepared.
You need to ensure that the gas, water, and electricity supplies are cut off.
There are also certain elements of a house that need to be removed before the actual demolition begins. For example, some materials can be easily recycled, while others (like an oil tank) need to be taken to specific disposal sites.
5- HOUSE SIZE TO BE TEAR DOWN
In general, the larger a building, the more expensive it will be to tear down. For example, demolishing a small one-story stone house costs less than a multi-story mansion.
However, remember that what’s behind the exterior walls of a house will also affect the cost of its demolition.
6- ARCHITECTURE AND MATERIALS OF THE HOUSE
Architectural details like the building’s frame, wall thickness, or the presence of a floor or basement can influence the quote from a demolition contractor.
These characteristics might require additional equipment and labor to complete the job.
7- EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY NEEDED TO TEAR DOWN THE HOUSE
Some houses are more resistant than others and cannot be demolished without using specialized machinery (e.g., an excavator with a hydraulic hammer).
Heavy equipment may also be needed to demolish concrete foundations or balconies and remove the resulting heavy debris.
8- PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS
Many old houses were built and insulated with asbestos-containing materials, which are now considered hazardous to health and the environment. If your house is old, you may need to increase your demolition budget. There are special fees and considerations for the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials.
As these materials age, their texture changes, and they may crumble, causing asbestos fibers to become airborne during demolition. Demolishing a house contaminated with asbestos requires special handling.
9- LABOR COSTS
The hourly rate of the demolition crew you hire, as well as the number of hours they work, significantly impacts the cost to tear down a house.
That said, it’s not necessarily to your advantage to choose the demolition company that offers the lowest hourly rate, as a demolition carried out by skilled and experienced workers is usually done faster and cleaner.
10- PARTIAL OR TOTAL DEMOLITION PROJECT
A partial demolition means that only part of the house’s interior or exterior is demolished. This is common in major renovation projects.
Because partial demolition often requires careful work to avoid damaging the remaining parts of the house, it can be as expensive, if not more, than total demolition.
PRICE SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY FACTOR WHEN CHOOSING A DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR
By now, you probably understand why it’s so difficult to put an exact price on a demolition project. There are just too many variables!
If you’re tempted to choose the demolition contractor with the lowest bid, at least take the time to check that they operate in full compliance and that the proposed price includes all the factors presented in this article.
Remember that a residential demolition project has several important aspects that can lead to failure if neglected. That’s why it’s crucial to hire professionals like those at Excavation Chanthier.
To discuss demolition with experts in the field, feel free to contact our team. Our expertise and the quality of our work are recognized on the North Shore, South Shore, and in Montreal.