How To Estimate The Cost of Commercial Building Demolition

To build a better future that provides more room for your company to flourish, you sometimes have to revamp your company building. Or, you may want to build a new development from scratch. A lot of times, this will require you to demolish the existing premises.

Such a big undertaking not only requires sufficient planning and time but will also require a significant financial investment. So how much is this going to cost you?

In this article, we will show you how to estimate the cost of demolishing a commercial building.

4 Factors to Consider When Estimating the Cost of Commercial Building Demolition

The cost of demolishing a commercial building in the United States can vary based on a myriad of factors. But, the average cost usually ranges between $30 000 – $35 000.

Apart from the scale of the project and your specific needs, there are some additional factors to consider when estimating construction costs.

Square Footage

One of the biggest factors to take into consideration when it comes to demolition project cost estimations is the square footage of the building. If the building in question is rectangular or square in shape, then the process will be relatively simple with proper measuring equipment.

After taking accurate measurements of the length and width of the building you want to demolish, multiply these two figures together to get your total square footage.

The average cost of commercial demolition usually ranges anywhere from $4 – $8 per square foot. This varies according to the size of the project in question.

Remember, your demolition costs will usually decrease as your square footage increases. It generally works on the same principle as buying something in bulk.

Hauling Fees

Your demolition contractor will often handle all the waste disposal activities that go hand in hand with demolition services for you. But, this is not always a given. It is crucial to stipulate and agree on exactly what your contractor will be doing and determine whether you will need to add hauling fees to your estimate.

If you have a fairly good idea of what debris your project will produce, and you can provide the square footage of the building you want to demolish, most dumpster companies will be able to provide you with an accurate price estimate for waste disposal.

Licensing and Permits

Permits and license fees vary depending on where your demolition project is located and the scope of the project. Unfortunately, there is no way to perfectly estimate these costs ahead of time, except if you have taken on more than one demolishing project in the same area as your current project.

These costs are usually included in the total figure of your demolition project. But, it is still important to determine the amount ahead of time so that no costly surprises lurk up on you.

It should be kept in mind that the average costs of demolition permits in the US are $200. Also, note that buildings in a city area will have more costly licensing and permit fees compared to a building in a residential area.

Asbestos Removal

Buildings built before the 1980s are most likely to contain asbestos and other hazardous materials. Asbestos is normally found in cement sheets, floor tiles, steam pipes, boilers, and furnaces.

Professional asbestos removal is a critical service that most demolition contractors can provide for you whilst demolishing the building. However, the service will definitely add some additional costs to your project cost estimation.

The Environmental Protection Agency has a list of guidelines regarding asbestos removal. These guidelines help prioritize the safety and health of all involved.

The cost of asbestos removal can range anywhere from $2 to $3 per square foot. So, it can quickly add up. By calculating these removal costs ahead of time, you will be able to better budget for similar add-on costs before the project kicks off.

What We Recommend

Although a demolishing project is exciting and taxing at the same time, the costs that go with it don’t have to get out of hand. We recommend that you table all of the cost estimates so you have an accurate idea of what to expect when asking demolition companies for a quote.

This way, you can better determine which company is offering you the best deal. In fact, the more you are prepared in terms of financial estimates, the better!

Final Thoughts

They say that knowledge is power, and that is definitely the case when estimating the demolition cost of any commercial company. By doing your homework ahead of time and taking all the factors into consideration, you will be aptly prepared for the project that lies ahead.

For professional demolition services, be sure to contact us at CF Excavating. We will answer all your questions and help you understand the costs of your project.