Residential Demolition in Cleveland, OH

Residential demolition covers taking down garages, sheds, porches, decks, in-ground pools, concrete slabs and whole houses, then hauling the debris and leaving the ground graded. Around Cleveland, much of that work involves detached garages and outbuildings from the early and mid 1900s that have rotted, leaned or been damaged by snow load, along with older homes being cleared for a rebuild. We handle the teardown, the hauling and the site work in one job.

Garages and outbuildings

Detached garages are the most common residential teardown. HomeAdvisor lists garage demolition at $4 to $10 per square foot and sheds at $250 to $3,000. A garage job usually includes the slab, the footing and any electrical feed, which must be disconnected first. If a new garage is going up, we can leave a compacted, graded pad ready for forms.

Full house demolition

Whole-house teardowns take more planning: utility disconnects from gas, electric and water providers, an asbestos survey, a demolition permit, and a plan for the foundation and basement. HomeAdvisor puts house demolition at $6,000 to $25,000, with an average of about $15,800 for a 2,000 square foot house, and asbestos work averaging about $2,000 when it is needed. Foundation removal adds $1,000 to $5,000. We fill and compact the basement hole so the lot does not sink later.

Pools, slabs and hardscape

Old in-ground pools, cracked patios and failing driveways are frequent demolition jobs. HomeAdvisor lists concrete and driveway removal at $1 to $2 per square foot and deck removal at $5 to $15 per square foot. Pool removal includes breaking out or perforating the shell, filling with compacted material and grading so the area drains.

Debris and recycling

Where we can, concrete and metal go to recyclers rather than landfill. Debris removal is priced in the estimate, which HomeAdvisor puts at $300 to $1,800 depending on volume and whether any of it is hazardous.

Permits and neighbors

Cities across Cuyahoga County require demolition permits for most structures, and some require utility sign-offs before work starts. On narrow lots we plan dust control, truck staging and protection for neighbors' fences and driveways.

What happens after

A teardown is usually the start of something: a new garage, an addition, a bigger yard or a new house. We plan the end state at the start. If a new structure is going up, we leave a compacted pad or open the foundation hole to plan. If the area is going back to lawn, we bring in clean fill and topsoil so it does not settle into a low spot that holds water.