Estimate demolition cost from area, scope (strip-out, full gut, structural), debris volume in cubic yards and haul-away. Include hazardous abatement and get total tear-out cost instantly.
Demolition is the first real cost of any remodel, and it is easy to under-budget the debris. The Demolition Cost Calculator estimates tear-out from area and scope — strip-out, full gut or structural — then sizes the debris in cubic yards and prices haul-away, with an optional hazardous-materials line for asbestos or lead abatement.
Pick a scope to load realistic per-square-foot and debris factors, adjust to your site, and export a clean teardown estimate to pair with your rebuild budget.
Example 1 — Strip-out. 500 ft² strip-out: $3/ft² labor = $1,500; debris 150 cu yd × $40 = $6,000; total ~$7,500.
Example 2 — Full gut. 500 ft² full gut: $6/ft² = $3,000; debris 300 cu yd × $40 = $12,000; ~$15,000.
Example 3 — Structural. 300 ft² at $12/ft² = $3,600; debris 300 cu yd × $45 = $13,500; ~$17,100.
Example 4 — Hazardous. Add $4,000 abatement to Example 2 → ~$19,000.
Example 5 — Dumpster. 300 cu yd ≈ two 30-yd dumpsters; rental could be a separate line.