Demolition Scope Calculator
Demolition labor-hours + debris-yardage + total cost for kitchen, bath, room-gut, deck, slab, shed, or full-structure demo. Includes containment, utility cutoffs, asbestos abatement.
0 = use scope default
0 = use scope default
0 if not applicable
Result
- Total labor hoursCrew of 2
- 240.0
- Labor cost
- $13,200
- Total debris
- 25.0 yd³
- Recommend dumpster
- 30-yard
- Disposal cost
- $700
- Containment
- $180
- Utility cutoffs
- $220
- Asbestos abatement
- —
- Permit
- $0
- Total cost
- $14,300
This estimate is based on national average costs and may vary by region, project specifics, and market conditions. Use as a starting point for your bids.
Labor + debris benchmarks by demo scope
| Scope | Labor hr/sq ft | Debris yd³/sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen gut | 1.2 | 0.25 |
| Bath gut | 0.9 | 0.20 |
| Room gut (down to studs) | 0.6 | 0.15 |
| Deck removal | 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Concrete slab | 0.5 (jackhammer) | 0.30 (dense) |
| Shed / outbuilding | 0.5 | 0.20 |
| Full structure | 0.2 (excavator-driven) | 0.40 |
Hidden cost drivers
- Containment: plastic sheeting + temp HVAC seal for interior demo. $150–400 per room.
- Utility cut-offs: plumber + electrician disconnect fees before demo. $150–400.
- Asbestos abatement: pre-1980 popcorn ceiling, floor tile, pipe wrap. $1,500–8,000 per area.
- Permit: usually free for selective interior, $200–600 for structural or full demo.
- Disposal weight tickets: concrete + tile demos hit tonnage limits fast — budget overage.
Pricing benchmarks (installed)
- Selective interior demo: $3–7 per sq ft of demo area
- Full house demo (frame structure, no hazmat): $4–8 per sq ft
- Full house demo with hazmat: $6–14 per sq ft
- Concrete slab demo: $4–9 per sq ft
- Deck removal: $2–5 per sq ft of deck
Frequently asked questions
How long does interior demolition take?
Kitchen gut: ~1.2 labor-hours per sq ft for a 2-person crew (80 sq ft kitchen → 96 hours, ~1 week). Bath gut: ~0.9 hr/sq ft. Room gut (down to studs): ~0.6 hr/sq ft. The variance is in scope — pulling cabinets is fast, demoing tile floors is slow, and finding rot doubles the time on the spot.
How much debris from a kitchen gut?
About 0.25 cubic yards per sq ft. A typical 100 sq ft kitchen produces 25 yd³ of debris — that's a 30-yard dumpster. Concrete slabs throw 0.30 yd³ per sq ft but the tonnage is what hurts (~150 lb per cubic foot for concrete vs ~30 lb for typical interior demo).
Do I need a permit for demolition?
Interior selective demo (kitchen, bath, single room): usually no, but always check local — some jurisdictions require for any work over $5,000 or that requires a dumpster. Structural changes (load-bearing walls, exterior wall openings): always yes. Full structure demo: always yes plus utility cut-off coordination and sometimes asbestos survey.
When does asbestos abatement apply?
Pre-1980 popcorn ceilings, pre-1980 vinyl floor tiles, pre-1980 pipe wrap, pre-1980 'transite' siding — all suspect. Get a survey before demolition starts on any pre-1980 structure. Abatement is a licensed specialty and runs $1,500–8,000 per area depending on extent. Skipping the survey and finding asbestos mid-demo halts the job and triggers emergency abatement at 2–3× the cost.
How do I price a demo job?
Labor hours × loaded crew rate + debris yd³ × disposal rate + permits + utility cutoffs + containment (interior). Add 15-20% contingency — demo always uncovers something. Selective interior demo runs $3–7 per sq ft. Full structure demo runs $4–12 per sq ft with mechanical equipment, more with hazmat. Always inspect before quoting.
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