Are you starting a garage demolition project? If so, you’re in the right place. Garage demolition can sometimes be very demanding but when you know what to expect and how to handle the costs it can be done more easily.
If your garage is in bad condition, it can cause safety problems and it’s better to remove it to secure your and everyone else’s surroundings. Garage demolition allows you to make additional living space and adds value to your property if you build a new structure.
The national average cost of garage demolition is between $1,700 and $6,500.
Stay with us and find out everything about the factors that influence garage demolition costs and help you navigate through your project to ensure a smooth demolition process.
Garage demolition price
In the table below, check out the price breakdown for garage demolition costs:
| National average cost | $4,000 |
| Average range | $1,700 – $6,500 |
| Low-end | $1,000 |
| High-end | $76,000 |
In this table check out some examples of demolition prices for different states in the USA.
| State | City | Cost |
| California | San Jose | $4,600 |
| Florida | Jacksonville | $2,000 |
| Illinois | Chicago | $1,500 |
| Michigan | Detroit | $4,000 |
| New York | East Patchogue | $4,200 |
Garages come in different sizes, which means that the cost of demolishing can differ. Let’s see what is the average cost when demolishing a garage according to its size.
The average cost to demolish a garage by its size
The average cost to demolish a garage ranges from $5 and $10 per sq. ft. The larger the garage is, the more expensive it is to be demolished. Bigger garages require more work and equipment and also leave more debris that has to be taken to the dump for disposal.
In the table below, find out the average demolishing cost for different garage sizes:
| Garage size | Demolition cost |
| 12’ x 20’ (240 sq.ft.) | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| 14’ x 28’ (392 sq.ft.) | $1,600 – $3,300 |
| 16’ x 24’ (384 sq.ft.) | $1,550 – $3,100 |
| 20’ x 20’ (400 sq.ft.) | $1,700 – $3,350 |
| 20’ x 44’ (880 sq.ft.) | $3,500 – $7,100 |
| 24’ x 24’ (576 sq.ft.) | $2,400 – $4,700 |
| 30’ x 20’ (600 sq.ft.) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| 36’ x 24’ (864 sq.ft.) | $3,600 – $7,000 |
| 40’ x 20’ (800 sq.ft.) | $3,500 – $6,800 |
Now that we have established the prices for different garage sizes, let’s see how the cost changes for different demolition-type approaches.
Cost of different demolition types for a garage
Your budget will very much depend on the type of demolition you choose. Demolition is almost always done by heavy machinery including excavators and bulldozers. There are three approaches for garage demolition:
- Tear down (partial demolition) – This type of demolition is typically less expensive and it includes removing a part of the garage such as the wall or floor. It’s a great way of adding extra space or lighting to your garage while improving its overall look.
- Total demolition – If the garage is structurally unstable, unsafe, very old, or infested with pests such as termites or rodents, for cases like this, total demolition is the best option because it is more efficient and cost-effective.
- Deconstruction – This type of demolition includes carefully dismantling a garage to save its materials for reuse. It’s a very environmentally friendly approach to demolishing, but if a garage is too damaged and old to be safely deconstructed, total demolition may be the only option.
The type of demolition depends on the garage’s condition, location, and your needs. Always consult with a professional before making a final decision about the demolition type, because a professional will assess the situation and give the best advice for your particular project.
In the table below, check out the average prices of demolishing a 24’ x 24’ garage by type of demolition.
| Type | Cost |
| Tear down a garage | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Total garage demolition | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Garage deconstruction | $4,000 – $7,500 |
We saw the average prices for different demolition-type approaches, but now let’s see what happens with the price when we want to demolish a garage by its certain type and dig into the things that affect the costs a little more.
Demolishing a garage by its type
The price of demolishing a garage by your specific garage type is typically between $2,500 and $5,000 because garages have different roofing, siding, and foundation construction that need to be torn down and disposed of properly.
The most common types of garages are:
- Detached garages
- Attached garages
- Parking garages
In the table below, check out the demolition cost of a garage by type and size as well:
| Type | Cost |
| Detached garage (576 sq.ft.) | $2,500 – $3,600 |
| Attached garage (576 sq.ft.) | $4,000 – $5,000 |
| Parking garage (30.000 sq.ft.) | $125,000 – $245,000 |
Cost of tearing down a detached garage
The cost of tearing down a detached garage is between $2,500 and $3,600 to demolish a
24′ x 24′ detached garage. This type of garage is a free-standing structure and is cheaper to demolish than the attached ones because as their name says, they are not attached to any structure so the contractor won’t need any extra care when demolishing it.
Cost to tear down an attached garage
Demolishing the attached garage costs more, and the average price goes from $4,000 and $5,000. It is connected to the house with one or multiple shared walls, so when demolishing it, the contractor needs more time and extra care not to damage anything else during the demolition which is why this type of garage demolition costs more. All the walls and floors need to be taken down more carefully which adds to the overall cost and contractor labor.
Cost to tear down a parking garage
This type of garage demolition costs the most, and it goes from $125,000 to $245,000 for a 30,000 sq. ft. garage that can fit up to 100 cars. It is a separate structure that although built to last for a very long time, can deteriorate over time. Small damages can be repaired, but if the garage is too old it needs to be demolished.
Cost to demo a garage by material
The cost of a garage demolition depends very much on the specific material of the garage, with an average cost that goes between $2,000 and $7,500. The walls and main construction of a garage are usually made of metal, wood, concrete, or brick. Drywall and wood are easier to demolish than concrete and brick.
In the table below, check out the prices for garage demolition by material:
| Material | Demolition cost |
| Wood | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Metal | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Concrete | $3,000 – $6,500 |
| Brick | $5,000 – $7,500 |
After the process of garage demolition is done, one of the most important things is removing the debris. Let’s find out the prices for garage demolition clean-up and waste disposal.
Garage demolition waste disposal cost
Once you finish your garage demolition, there will be a lot of debris and waste that needs to be properly cleaned. The cost of waste removal ranges from $300 to $700 and it is very important to haul away all the debris so as not to cause any harm to the environment.
If there is asbestos or lead-based paint, the cost of waste disposal will be higher. This type of waste needs to be disposed of safely which can add between $500 and $5,500 to the overall cleanup cost.
Factors that influence the garage demo cost
Several factors can highly influence the cost and need to be considered when starting a garage demolition process such as:
- Inspection – A lot of local municipalities require an inspection to ensure the process is running according to safety standards. It involves a visual examination of the property which, when done, allows the contractor to keep working.
- Permits – Always check with your local department if your project needs a demolition permit, which most states do require. The document that is necessary for obtaining this type of permit is a site plan for permit.
- Foundation – Garage demolition with a concrete slab foundation can be more expensive and it can add up to $2,000 to the overall demolition costs because the concrete foundation needs to be demolished as well.
- Location – Garage demolition in a rural area costs less, and it’s around $3,000 while demolishing a garage in an urban area can add to costs up to $10,500 especially if the garage is attached to another structure.
- Labor cost – Per day and person, labor costs will usually be around $200 – $300. This type of work requires at least two contractors which means that you can expect the total labor cost to be between $300 – $1,700.
Now that we have established everything about the garage demolition costs, let’s see what is the cost of rebuilding a garage on your property.
Cost to rebuild a garage
So after you finish your garage demolition, you realize that you want to rebuild it. The first question is what is the cost for this? The cost to demolish and then rebuild a garage goes from $25,000 and $75,000. Of course, the precise cost depends on a lot of factors as the size and type of the garage that was demolished and the new one being built.
If you start building a new garage, you will need a building permit for garage and a site plan that will help your project run smoothly and accordingly to the local building department rules.
Cost to demolish a garage FAQs
Should I demolish my garage?
Demolishing a garage depends on the garage’s condition and your specific project needs. You should consider your plans for the future and plan a demolition based on that.
How to calculate garage demolition costs?
You need to determine key factors that influence the price such as its size, materials, and any additional costs. Get quotes from demolition contractors and sum up all of this information to get an approximate garage demolition cost.
Do you need a permit to demo a garage?
In most cases yes, but it depends on the location of your garage. You should always check in with your local building department to get all the necessary information.
Understanding the garage demolition cost will help in your project realization
Understanding the garage demolition costs and recognizing all the hidden costs along the way is crucial for a successful demolition. By always being aware and well-informed on the demolition expenses, such as the size of the garage, materials involved, and potential disposal fees, you can approach the project with clarity. A good garage demolition plan minimizes the risks of unexpected financial challenges and enables you to keep up with your planned budget.
If you’re planning a house demolition, it’s good to know everything about the cost to demolish a house so you can be prepared for all the unexpected costs.
