How Much Does it Cost to Demo an Interior?

Interior Demolition Cost Per Square Foot

You’ll pay $2 to $7 per square foot to demo the interior, depending on the materials demolished and removed. The majority of the cost goes toward labor at $1 to $5 per square foot, and the remaining amount pays for dumping fees, recycling fees, permits, hauling, and necessary equipment. 

Commercial Interior Demolition Cost Per Square Foot

Commercial building demolition costs $4 to $8 per square foot or $40,000 to $80,000 for 10,000 square feet. Commercial building demolition requires unique building code and construction standards, with specialized permits and fees, leading to a slightly higher price than residential demo projects. These jobs are much larger than most residential projects, requiring more professional labor and more time. 

Demo Cost by Room

Each room demands unique demolition processes, with their own price ranges to match. 

Bathroom

Interior bathroom demolition costs $1,000 to $2,300, with higher prices for removing and moving walls to accommodate a new design or fixtures. Prices can increase if you remove and move walls to create a different footprint. Once finished, remodeling a bathroom costs between $6,600 and $16,500. 

Kitchen

Interior kitchen demolition costs $500 to $3,000, depending on the items removed, local regulations, and any associated fees. You may also pay extra when instructing pros to move slowly and carefully to not damage pre-existing fixtures and materials. Once the demo completes, remodeling a kitchen costs $13,500 to $38,000. 

Basement

Basement demolition costs $300 to $4,000, depending on size, accessibility, and the number of items and materials removed. This service is typically the first step of a total basement renovation or remodeling project. Remodeling a basement costs $12,200 to $33,300, including demolition, adding flooring, updating the ceiling and insulation, and placing carpeting or necessary fixtures.

Bedroom

Bedroom demolition services cost $500 to $1,200, depending on the size and complexity of the job. Demolition duties make up the beginning stages of a bedroom redesign or renovation. The average bedroom remodel costs $20,000 for a full renovation, including labor, design, inspection, and construction.

Common Interior Demolition Pricing

Different materials and fixtures throughout the home boast different price ranges. 

Tile 

Tile removal costs $2 to $4 per square foot, with dumping costing anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on weight. On the other hand, recycling costs half that at $150 to $500. However, there are hidden difficulties with tile removal, and many types require a diamond blade saw or a related tool. 

Carpet & Floor

Flooring demolition costs range from $0.10 to $8 per square foot, with $200 to $500 set aside for dumping. Flooring materials impact the overall price, as carpet removal costs $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, hardwood flooring removal costs $4 to $8 per square foot, and vinyl or linoleum costs $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot. 

Cabinets

Cabinet removal costs $150 to $1,000. If the cabinets are in good condition, recoup some of the expense by selling the old cabinetry or donate them to a local charity.

Fireplace and Chimney

A complete fireplace and chimney removal costs $4,000 to $6,000, depending on size, weight, and accessibility. Keep in mind that you’ll likely need to hire a structural engineer to approve the demolition, costing about $500.

Shower or Tub

Removing a shower or tub runs $50 to $500, and removal of large fixtures like tiled surround showers can increase the total bill. If the components of your shower or bath are in good condition, try removing the materials intact for donation or sale. 

Drywall

Removing drywall from ceilings and walls runs $0.50 to $1 per square foot. Taking out a wall costs anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on size, insulation type, and weight. Load-bearing walls or walls connected to foundational elements of the home fall on the more-expensive end of the price range. 

Insulation and Asbestos

Asbestos removal costs $1,200 to $3,000. Don’t try to DIY asbestos removal, as inhaling these toxic particles leads to serious health risks. As for other insulation types, regular blown-in or batting insulation runs $0.10 per square foot for removal, plus additional fees. 

Concrete Foundations

The cost to remove an old concrete foundation ranges from $2 to $6 per square foot. Concrete removal is a labor-intensive process, requiring tools like sledgehammers, digging bars, and rotary hammers, plus lifting and removal equipment. You’ll also pay $500 to $1,000 for dumping, though this price depends on the amount of concrete. 

Linoleum

Removing linoleum costs $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot, and it’s a meticulous process, particularly if the pro goes slowly to avoid damaging the floor underneath. Demolition experts cut up small strips of the linoleum for removal, cutting out the adhesive layer as a final step.

Hardwood

Demolishing and removing hardwood flooring costs $1 to $13 per square foot, as pros must work carefully to avoid damaging the subfloor. Additionally, cut hardwood is not appropriate for salvage. If you must salvage the hardwood, instruct your contractor to remove it without cutting it into sections. 

Windows

Removing windows from a home costs $50 to $100 per window, and most contractors include this service as part of a window replacement project. Dumping costs increase when removing multiple windows at once, so save some money by recycling or selling the windows. 

Staircase

Destroying and removing a full staircase costs $300 to $4,000, depending on the size of the staircase, materials used, and accessibility. If you’re demolishing multiple parts of your home, remove the staircase last to avoid accessibility issues when demolishing fixtures on the higher floors. 

Gutting a House

Gutting an entire home costs $2,500 to $9,800, or $2 to $7 per square foot. This cost varies depending on the size of the home, accessibility concerns, materials used during construction, and local disposal regulations. Remodeling multiple rooms costs $18,000 to $76,500 on average.

Interior Demolition Labor Costs

Much of the interior demolition costs go toward labor, as the demolition process does not require additional materials to complete. Labor costs $40 to $45 per hour for each worker, and some demolition jobs require multiple contractors working simultaneously. Reach out to your demolition company and ask how many contractors will be on-site. 

Demolition vs. Deconstruction Cost

Many people use these words interchangeably, but they are different processes, with differing price ranges. 

Demolition

Demolition is the process of removing all unwanted materials from a home without trying to save any of it. Demolition services cost $2 to $7 per square foot, depending on various factors. 

Deconstruction

Deconstruction is more expensive than demolition, costing $5 to $14 per square foot. It is a more controlled method of dismantling a home. Pros work salvage building materials for future use, allowing you to save or donate these materials as needed.  

DIY vs. Hire an Interior Demolition Team

Only tackle interior demolition on your own if you have expertise with the process, as mistakes lead to damaged plumbing, interruptions to electricity, and foundational issues. 

Hiring a local demolition professional ensures the job gets done quickly and safely. They’ll also haul away the waste and dispose of it properly, which is a frustrating task to complete on your own. Additionally, contractors assume all of the liability risk, and with demolition, accidental damage is a distinct possibility. 

FAQs

Can I remove a wall in my house?

You can remove a wall in your home, though do so carefully to avoid damage. Make sure that load-bearing walls have proper support prior to removal. Hire a structural engineer before removing a wall to determine if it is load-bearing and how to safely remove it. Demolition pros know how to spot load-bearing walls and to act accordingly. 

Do I need a permit for interior demolition?

The need for a permit depends on the local building regulations where you live. Some areas wrap up demolition with the cost of a standard building permit, while others require dedicated permits for demolition. Some parts of the country also require specialized permits for removing asbestos and lead paint. 

What is a controlled demolition?

Controlled demolition is the complete and strategic removal of a structure, usually with explosives, that avoids disturbing the surrounding environment. Many contractors use controlled demolition when removing an entire building, such as a commercial space.

Do I need a license for demolition?

Most areas require pros to acquire adequate licenses to complete a demolition, but regulations vary based on location. Check with your city, county, or state government licensing office to learn more.

What is gut rehab?

A gut rehab is a term used by real estate professionals and amateur house flippers, referring to the act of completely gutting and renovating a home. This process includes the demolition process as well as installing new fixtures, such walls, floors, ceilings, plumbing systems, electrical components, and more. 

Can I salvage anything?

If you opt for a deconstruction process over a standard demo, you’ll be able to salvage just about everything, from floorboards to slabs of tile and beyond. However, even regular demolition allows homeowners to preserve pre-existing fixtures, like kitchen appliances, bathroom appliances, cabinets, and some flooring types. Some contractors also provide discounts on demolition and deconstruction services if you allow them to keep the materials, as they will sell them to builders and private buyers.