How much does it cost to demolish a garage?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Demolishing a garage may seem like a daunting task, but there are several reasons why it might be the best option for your home. If the garage is in poor condition, it can be a safety hazard, so it is better to remove it to ensure everyone around it is safe. Demolishing the structure and starting from scratch may be more cost-effective than trying to repair it. In addition, demolishing the garage allows you to create additional living space or add value to your property by building a new, more modern structure. Whatever your reasons are for demolishing a garage, make sure you hire a qualified professional to handle the job. With their expertise, the demolition process will be completed quickly and safely while ensuring your home is protected.

The national average cost to demolish a garage is between $1,600 and $6,000. Most people pay around $3,500 to inspect and demolish a 24’ x 24’ detached garage and have the contractor dispose of the waste. At the low end of the spectrum, you can spend $960 to demolish a 240 sq.ft. detached garage and rent a dumpster to dispose of the waste yourself. At the high end, you can pay up to $75,000 to inspect and demolish an attached garage with a concrete slab foundation and build a new 880 sq.ft. detached garage in your yard.

Garage Demolition Price

Average Cost to Demolish a Garage by Size

The size of a garage affects the cost of demolishing it, with average costs ranging between $4 and $8 per sq.ft. The project cost can start as low as $2 per sq.ft. for extremely old and run-down garages and go up to $15 per sq.ft. to demolish a garage made of sturdy materials like brick or concrete. The larger the garage, the more expensive it will be to demolish because larger garages require more manpower and equipment. Additionally, larger garages produce more debris, which must be taken to the dump for disposal. The table below shows how much you can expect to spend to demolish different garage sizes.

Cost to Demo a Garage by Type

Depending on the type of demolition, you can expect to spend between $1,150 and $7,000 to demolish a garage. Demolition is usually done by heavy machinery, such as excavators and bulldozers. The three most common garage demolition types include tearing down, also known as partial demolition, total demolition, and deconstruction. Depending on the homeowner's needs, the state of the garage, and its location, a different type of demolition will be recommended. It is important to consult with a professional before making a final decision about the type of demolition. They will assess the situation and give you the best advice for your particular case. Once the garage is broken down, you can remove the debris. Here is the average cost for every type of demolition of a 24’ x 24’ garage.

Tear Down a Garage

The cost to knock down a garage ranges between $1,150 and $3,500. The most common type of demolition is partial demolition, which involves removing part of the garage, such as a wall or a floor. Partial demolition is a great way of adding extra space or light to your garage and improving its overall appearance. In most cases, a partial demolition involves removing the roof and walls of the garage, leaving the foundation and floor intact. It is often recommended when the foundation is still in good condition or when the floor plan of the new garage will be similar to the old one. Partial demolitions are typically less expensive and disruptive than full demolition, making them a good option for homeowners planning to renovate their garage.

Garage Total Demolition

Complete demolition usually costs between $2,300 and $4,600, with labor. There are a few different scenarios in which it may be recommended to demolish an entire garage. One is if the garage is structurally unsound or in danger of collapsing. Another is if the garage is infested with pests such as termites or rodents. Finally, if the garage is too old or irreparable, it may be more cost-effective to demolish it and start from scratch rather than attempting to repair it.

Garage Deconstruction

Expect to spend between $3,500 and $7,000 for a garage deconstruction done by professionals. Unlike the other two methods that involve mechanically tearing down the garage, deconstruction is carefully dismantling a structure like a garage to preserve its materials for reuse. It is often more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to deconstruct a garage than demolish it. However, if the garage is too old or too damaged to be safely deconstructed, demolition may be the only choice.

Average Cost to Demolish a Garage by Type of Garage

The cost to demolish a garage varies depending on your garage type, with prices ranging between $2,300 and $4,600. The type of garage affects the cost because they have different roofing, siding, and foundation construction that needs to be torn down and disposed of properly. The most common garage types are detached, parking, and attached. You can find the cost to demolish different garage types and sizes in the table below.

Demolish a Detached Garage

Expect to spend between $2,300 and $3,450 to demolish a 24’ x 24’ (576 sq.ft.) detached garage. A detached garage is a free-standing structure, typically located in the backyard of a home. Detached garages tend to be more expensive to build but much cheaper to demolish than attached garages. They are not attached to any structure, so the contractor will not have to take extra care when demolishing it. They will demolish the whole structure and haul away the waste if this is included in the price.

Attached Garage Demolition

Demolishing a 24’ x 24’ (576 sq.ft.) attached garage costs more, with average prices ranging between $3,500 and $4,600. Unlike a detached one, an attached garage is connected to the house with one or multiple shared walls, which is why demolishing costs more. To demolish the attached garage, the contractor must take extra care not to damage anything else in the home during demolition. They have to take down the walls and floors more carefully, which adds to the time needed to demolish it.

Parking Garage Demolition

Demolishing a whole parking garage costs the most, with prices averaging $120,000 to $240,000 for a 30,000 sq.ft. parking garage that fits around 100 cars. A parking garage is a separate structure designed to fit a specific number of cars. Although these structures are built to last for years, their quality and sturdiness deteriorate over time. Minor damage can be repaired. However, if the parking garage is old, it would have to be demolished. Homeowners or businesses may want to remove it to build a new garage or another structure on the site. Regardless, demolishing a parking garage can be a costly job.

Cost to Demo a Garage by Material

The cost of demolishing a garage also depends on the material of the garage, with average costs ranging between $1,500 and $7,000. While most are made of a mix of materials, the main construction and the walls are typically made of metal, wood, concrete, or brick. Materials like drywall and wood are easier to bring down than sturdier ones like concrete and brick. The materials determine where they need to be disposed of, which is also a contributing factor.

The cost to demolish a wood garage depends on what elements are made of wood. A garage made fully out of wood costs more to demolish than a garage with a wooden frame and walls with drywall. Metal garages are mostly detached, so taking down the material requires only taking it apart from the construction. This is why their cost is lower than other types of garages, including wood ones. Concrete garages are one of the toughest to demolish because the material is quite sturdy. However, concrete is easy to dispose of, so the costs are not as high as the other materials. The cost of demolishing a brick garage will likely be the highest because this material is thick. Tearing them down requires heavier machinery and longer demolition time, so homeowners can expect the brick garage demolition cost to be higher than other garage materials. Here is how much you can expect to spend to demolish a 24’ x 24’ garage made of each material.

Cost to Demolish and Rebuild a Garage

The cost to demolish and rebuild a garage ranges between $24,000 and $70,000. The exact cost depends on several factors, mainly the size and type of the garage being demolished and the new one being built. While building an attached garage costs less, demolishing it costs more. In contrast, building a detached garage requires more materials and labor, so the cost to build it is higher but demolishing is easier and costs less.

If your garage is in disrepair, but you want to keep the same look and functionality, it may be time to demolish and rebuild it. This can be a big project. However, with careful planning and execution, it can be done. First, you must clear out the garage, remove any hazardous materials, and disconnect utilities. After you have cleared out the area, the actual demolition can take place. The contractor will come with the appropriate equipment and start demolishing or tearing apart the garage, depending on your chosen method. Once the old garage is gone and the debris cleared, you can start building the new one.

Garage Demolition Clean-Up Price

After a garage demolition, a lot of debris and waste is left behind, costing $200 to $600 to clean up. It is important to haul away this debris and waste so that it does not cause any damage or harm to the environment. Many companies offer this service and will usually come and pick up the debris and waste within a few days. This includes the removal of all nails, screws, nuts, washers, and anything else that was used to attach something to the garage. The company will also clean up the cement, drywall, wood, and anything else left after demolishing the garage. However, if there is asbestos or lead-based paint, they need to be disposed of safely, adding between $400 and $5,000 to the cleanup cost. If you want to save money, you can haul away the debris and waste yourself. This can be done by renting a dumpster or hiring a junk removal company.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Dumpster Rental

The cost to rent a dumpster is between $200 and $550. When demolishing a garage, it is important to rent a dumpster to dispose of the debris. A garage contains a lot of material that can be recycled, but it also contains hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead paint. If these materials are not disposed of properly, they can contaminate the soil and water. A dumpster rental ensures that all of the debris from your garage demolition is disposed of properly. In addition, a dumpster rental will save you time and money. Instead of hauling the debris to the landfill yourself, you can have the company provide the dumpster and deal with the disposal.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Inspection. Before a property can be demolished, most localities require an inspection to ensure that the demolition will not pose any safety hazards. The inspection typically involves visually examining the property and reviewing any engineering reports or other documentation. Once the inspection is complete, the demolition contractor will be given a permit to proceed with the work. The requirements vary from one jurisdiction to another. These inspections are typically necessary to protect the workers and the surrounding community.
• Permit. Before starting any demolition work, it is important to check with your local building department to see if you need any permits. Most states require a permit to demolish a structure, which costs between $50 and $100. Permits are issued after an inspection of the site and paperwork has been done. When the permits are issued, demolition can begin.
• DIY. You can do some garage demolitions on your own, given you have the right tools, safety equipment, and knowledge of how to take care of the project. However, it is important to have a professional contractor do the work because there are many potential hazards, such as asbestos and lead paint. If not handled properly, these materials pose serious health risks, so it is best to leave demolition projects to the professionals.
• Lead-based paint and asbestos. The building department issuing the permits will want to know how you will dispose of toxic elements like lead-based paint and asbestos before issuing the demolition permit. Certain disposal regulations ensure it is done safely and in compliance with local ordinances.
• Utilities. Before starting the demolition, the contractor will check if all utilities are turned off. All electrical, gas, water, and sewer connections have to be turned off to ensure the demolition can be done safely.
• Foundation. Demolishing a garage with a concrete slab foundation can add up to $1,500 to the overall cost. The concrete foundation would also have to be demolished, which requires extra work and machinery.
• Location. The location of the garage plays a vital role in the overall cost. Demolishing a garage in an urban area costs much more than demolishing a garage in a rural setting. For example, a garage demolition in a rural area costs around $2,000. However, if you are demolishing the same type of garage in an urban area, your costs may go up to $10,000 if the garage is attached to another structure.
• Recycling. After demolishing the garage, there will be a lot of waste left. However, homeowners do not have to dispose of it. Different options are available for recycling and reuse of the demo waste. For example, concrete can be crushed and used as gravel or new concrete, wood can be chipped and used as mulch, and metals can be recycled through local scrap yards. Recycling can be less expensive than traditional disposal methods while reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.