To prepare an accurate demolition cost estimate, you will need to gather information from previous demolition projects. The information should be broken down by cost centers, percentages, and dollar values. You will also need to establish standard accounting cost codes and common denominators.
These will make it easier for you to develop a cost estimate based on actual costs. Listed below are several tips on how to get an accurate estimate for a demolition project. Continue reading for a detailed description of the steps to prepare an estimate.
Expenses Associated with a Demolition Project
The cost of demolition projects can vary widely, depending on the type of house you’re tearing down. For example, the price of a concrete home is likely to be more expensive than a wood one because the demolition process requires heavy equipment.
Also, you’ll need to hire a plumber to safely disconnect your water lines and cap them before the demolition process begins. Then, there’s the waste from the project – it will probably require several truckloads of garbage. This waste will add to the overall demolition cost.
Demolition costs are related to the square footage of the building. The demolition process is relatively easy for rectangular and square formations, though demolition costs are still high. Remember to consider the equipment needed to complete the job.
It may be easier to demolish a smaller building yourself, but you’ll need to hire a demolition contractor to get the necessary permits. And remember to factor in the cost of a demolition permit.
The size of the structure is also essential.
The more extensive the network, the higher the cost. The more complex the network, the more resources are needed to complete the demolition. And not all houses are made of the same materials. Wooden homes are generally easier to demolish than stone, concrete, or metal houses.
Depending on the size of the structure, demolition projects can range from $4,800 to $18,000. But, if you’re looking to tear down a large home, it might cost more than this. The cost of the demolition project is further increased by the costs of asbestos removal and disposal.
These materials require specialized tools, safety gear, and trained technicians. A professional demolition company will comply with all government regulations to properly remove this material. Lastly, demolition projects can also contain hazardous materials, increasing costs.
Square Footage of a Building
When estimating demolition costs, the square footage of a building plays a vital role. While square or rectangular buildings are relatively easy to demolish, installation more than three stories in length requires special equipment. You can figure out your demolition cost by adding up the square footage of each building’s floor plans.
Then, divide each by its width and length, and add up all the square footage to get the cost per square foot. Developing a building demolition cost estimate requires assessing past demolition projects and checking each item that will affect the final cost. The estimator must then determine whether the price created looks reasonable.
A long-term demolition industry participant suggests a formula for competitive estimates: DC is Direct Cost, SC is Salvage Credit, V is Volume of Materials to be removed, and COP stands for Cost of Production. An accurate estimate will take into account all these elements.
A third factor that affects the demolition cost is the number of hazardous materials that will need to be removed. Removing dangerous materials from a building can increase your demolition cost by $2 to three percent. If you’re removing the foundation, you can expect the demolition price to be significantly higher. If you need to remove the roof and walls, the cost will be higher.
Other factors that affect the demolition cost include the amount of material to be removed, the rate of production, and the cost of disposal and salvage. In addition, you’ll need to account for overhead costs, permits, insurance, and travel expenses. Additionally, you’ll need to account for any environmental regulations and considerations. Remember that a demolition cost is not a science, so double-check the price with your demolition contractor to make sure it’s accurate.
Labor Rates
Deconstruction is a necessary step in many home improvement projects. Estimates usually range from $2 to $7 per square foot. The cost depends on the size of the home, materials used, and accessibility. For example, an average-sized 1,200-square-foot house will cost between $4,800 and $18,000 to demolish. On the other hand, a 3,000-square-foot house may cost anywhere from $12,000 to $45,000 to demolish.
The square footage of a building is often a good indicator of demolition costs. If a square or rectangular building is being demolished, the process is relatively simple. More complicated projects, such as those involving the demolition of large structures, will require more effective and more expensive labor rates.
In addition, many demolition projects require heavy equipment, which makes them more expensive. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to cut demolition costs. The main component of demolition costs is labor. Therefore, the best way to get an accurate estimate is to multiply the square footage by the labor rate.
If your property is 1,500 square feet and has two bathrooms, it should take a crew of two to three laborers three days. This is a reasonable estimate, considering that a typical unskilled laborer will earn between $15 and $30. For this example, you would need three laborers working eight-hour shifts for 72 hours.
Asbestos removal can be expensive. The Environmental Protection Agency has guidelines for asbestos removal. Asbestos removal can range from $2 to $3 per square foot. When estimating demolition costs, include all of the required permits, licenses, and insurance policies.
In addition to these costs, demolition permits can add up quickly. The average price of a demolition permit is $200. Depending on the size of your home, you can save money by keeping as much of your demolition project as possible intact.
Dumping Fees
Who can include demolition fees in your estimate if you have exceptional circumstances? For example, if you’re dealing with hazardous materials, you’ll have to pay about $2 to $3 per square foot. Depending on the size of the home, this cost can rise to as high as $7/sf. It’s also important to keep in mind that some areas require permits.
The exact cost of demolition varies by location and project, so be sure to ask the demolition company about dumping fees. In addition to dumpster rentals, some demolition companies offer debris removal services. These companies will remove debris from your property and clean up abandoned properties.
The prices will vary by region but generally start at about $800 for a single-family home. Some companies advertise flat fees, like one in Pennsylvania, for removing 12 cubic yards of debris. However, the actual cost can go up to $2,000 for a larger project and even higher if the company must pay for hazardous materials testing.
Dumpster rental costs are often included in the building demolition cost estimate but you should pay extra for this service if you plan to deliver a large dumpster. It will cost about $40 to $70 per day, and you may have to pay as much as $500 for a week of service. If you’re working in a neighborhood, check with your neighborhood association to determine if there are rules and regulations regarding large dumpster deliveries.
However, you can reduce this cost by handling part of the demolition project yourself or calling around for better deals. If you plan on doing demolition on a large scale, you should ask a professional demolition company for an estimate. They will be able to give you an accurate estimate based on various factors,
Hazardous Materials
What can drastically raise the cost of demolition if the project contains hazardous materials. For example, asbestos removal can cost about $2 to $3 per square foot of the building, depending on its condition. In addition, it is essential to acquire all necessary permits to remove the substance safely. Asbestos inspectors will help you avoid legal problems, and a professional can inspect your structure to determine the presence of asbestos.
The first step to determining the demolition cost includes evaluating hazardous materials. In addition to dangerous materials within the structure, this assessment may also have a variety of contaminants outside the building. For example, chlorofluorocarbons, lead-based paint, and polychlorinated biphenyls can all be hazardous. Some of the materials in the construction may not be hazardous, such as unsuitable soils. The contractor will need to look for all of these materials before determining whether or not to perform demolition.
In addition to asbestos, a pre-renovation/demolition survey may include testing for radon, odorless gas linked to lung cancer. Lead paint and asbestos are federally regulated. However, most state and local authorities handle the removal of lead paint and asbestos.
In Michigan, the Department of Environmental Quality oversees the state’s environmental regulations and labor laws. Asbestos surveys are mandatory for demolition projects, and the EPA has a website for these.
One of the biggest challenges in demolition is removing asbestos. This material must be removed by a professional to protect the surrounding area. Regardless of the type of asbestos, the contractor must also take special steps to safeguard subsurface utilities from damage. Asbestos removal is hazardous and requires a highly trained professional to handle it.
