Cost of Commercial Demolition

If you’re looking to revamp your space, make room for a new building, and discussed the reasons for demolition, one of the first questions you will likely ask yourself is “how much is all of this going to cost me?” While the cost can fluctuate based on several factors, the average cost of commercial building demolition in the United States is just over $30,000. Depending on your needs and the scale of the project, your specific costs could be higher or lower. Here, we will examine a few important factors that contribute to your costs of commercial demolition. Read on for key insights from one of the top demolition contracting experts in the Chicagoland area.

Square Footage

Most of the costs associated with demolition projects are related to the square footage of your building or project. If the building you are looking to demolish is square or rectangular in shape, this process is relatively straightforward if you have the proper equipment, such as a tape measure or laser distance measurer.

If you would like to get a better idea of what demolition costs you can expect for your commercial building, take accurate measurements of the length and width of your building, then multiply them together to get your total square footage. Note that the average cost of commercial demolition can range anywhere from $4 to $8 per square foot and that this cost can fluctuate depending on the scale of the project in question. Typically, demolition companies treat projects like other industries treat bulk purchases; costs decrease as your square footage increases.

Permits, Licensing, & Other Policies

Unfortunately, there is no perfect method of estimating the costs of permits and licenses without knowing exactly where your commercial building demolition project is located and what the scope of the project will be. In some states, demolition costs can be as high as $10,000, however the average across the United States is closer to $200.

Ensure that you obtain all the proper permits, licenses, and other policies necessary for your project before beginning demolition. While these costs are often absorbed into the total price of your demolition process, you will want to be certain this is the case and that no costly surprises are waiting for you once ground has already been broken.

Asbestos

Often forgotten, professional asbestos removal is still one of the most important services many demolition contractors provide to their clients. Found in cement sheet, floor tiles, insulation, and additional building materials, if asbestos is located in your building, it will be important for you to get it removed quickly. Typically, old buildings built during or pre-1980’s are more likely to contain asbestos and other hazardous materials.

Because of the need for professional help, asbestos removal will often add to the cost of your demolition project. The Environmental Protection Agency has many guidelines surrounding asbestos removal to ensure the safety and health of all those involved. Ranging anywhere from $2 to $3 per square foot, removal of asbestos can quickly add up, so be sure to consider this in your own personal estimate process.

Landfill & Hauling Fees

Some contractors will handle the dirty job of waste disposal for you, but this isn’t always the case. Make sure you understand exactly what your chosen contractor is providing before forgetting to add this cost into your estimate.

If you know that you will be responsible for waste removal yourself there is luckily an easy way to generate the amount of post-demolition waste and an estimate for how much that process will cost. If you know the type of debris your project is going to produce (concrete, plaster, metal, etc.) and the square footage of your building (which you calculated in step one), most experienced dumpster rental companies will be able to quickly provide a fairly accurate estimate of pricing for you. You can even recycle the concrete being demolished from the building.

We always recommend obtaining a quote from a few companies to compare pricing and ensure you are getting the best deal possible.

Estimate Greatness with Alpine Demolition Services

At Alpine Demolition Services, we have an extremely thorough estimate process: perhaps one of the most thorough and accurate in the business. We spend so much time and resources on delivering an accurate estimate because we want you to have confidence in our process. When you receive an Alpine Estimate, you will have the most complete picture of your needs possible, so that we can work together to finish your demolition process on time, on budget, and without any monumental surprises.

If you would like Alpine to deliver an estimate for the demolition costs of your next commercial building project, contact our team today. We will be in contact with you as quickly as possible.