Here's a plain-English summary of 2026 demolition prices from Angi's national cost guide, with notes on what moves the number up or down for a job around Springfield. Treat these as planning ranges. Only a site visit gives you a real price.
House demolition
National average $15,800; most pay $6,000 to $25,000; extremes run from about $4,800 to $50,000. Per square foot: $4 to $17.
| House size | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $4,800 to $20,400 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $6,000 to $25,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $8,000 to $34,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $10,000 to $32,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $12,000 to $51,000 |
Angi reports a median of $15,570 for a 1,500 sq ft house and $21,250 for 2,500 sq ft.
Other structures
| Job | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Mobile home | $3,000 to $7,000 |
| Shed or barn | $250 to $3,000 |
| Garage | $2,000 to $10,000 |
| Foundation removal | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| Deck | $5 to $15 per sq ft |
| Driveway | $1 to $2 per sq ft |
| In-ground pool | $13 to $15 per sq ft |
| Interior walls (select) | $1,200 to $5,000 |
Add-ons people forget
- Permits: roughly $100 to $500 each; separate structures may each need one.
- Utility disconnects: gas and electric utilities, plus a plumber to cap the sewer.
- Disposal: $300 to $1,800 if it isn't in the quote. Landfill and tipping fees vary by area.
- Asbestos: budget around $2,000 more on average for proper disposal, plus inspection. In Missouri, the Department of Natural Resources runs the state asbestos program, which covers demolition notifications and inspections for regulated projects. Check its asbestos page or ask your contractor whether your project is covered.
- Fill and grading: clean fill to backfill a basement can be a significant line item.
- Equipment: Angi lists excavators with operator at $100 to $250 per hour; most contractors fold this into the price.
Why quotes differ so much
Two contractors can quote the same house thousands of dollars apart. Common reasons: one includes foundation removal and backfill and the other doesn't; one assumes the owner handles utility disconnects; disposal distance and landfill rates differ; or one contractor is busy and pricing high. Ask each bidder for a line-item scope so you're comparing the same job.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Clear out furniture and personal items yourself.
- Pull fixtures, cabinets and appliances you want to keep or sell.
- Get the asbestos inspection done early so it doesn't stall the schedule.
- Bundle jobs: removing the garage, shed and driveway at the same time as the house saves mobilization.
- Consider timing. Angi notes contractors' slower months can bring better pricing.
- Get at least two or three written quotes.
DIY versus hiring out
Angi estimates labor is 50% to 60% of a demolition project, but equipment for a DIY teardown can cost $500 to $3,000 to rent, and DIYers take on the risk of collapse, gas and electrical hazards, permitting and asbestos rules. For anything bigger than a small shed, hiring a demolition contractor is usually the safer and often the cheaper choice.
A worked example
Suppose you're tearing down a 1,500 square foot, one-story house with a basement and a detached garage. Using Angi's national ranges as a guide: the house itself at $6,000 to $25,500, foundation removal at $1,000 to $5,000, a garage at $2,000 to $10,000, permits at $100 to $500 each, and disposal at $300 to $1,800 if it isn't included. Add asbestos inspection and any abatement, utility disconnect fees, and clean fill to backfill the basement. It's easy to see how the total moves from the low end to well above the $15,800 national average. A contractor visit narrows that range quickly.
How payment usually works
Many demolition contractors ask for a deposit at signing, with the balance due when the lot is cleared and graded. Larger jobs may have progress payments tied to milestones, such as structure down, foundation removed, and backfill complete. Avoid paying the full amount up front. Get a written contract that lists the scope, schedule, payment terms, who pulls permits, and what condition the lot will be in when they leave.
Grants and city programs
Some cities and counties run programs for vacant, blighted or unsafe structures, and some land banks handle demolitions on certain properties. Eligibility is narrow and varies by place. If your property has been cited as unsafe, ask the code enforcement office what options exist before you hire privately.
Before you request quotes: a checklist
- Year built and construction. Contractors use it to judge asbestos and lead risk and the method they'll need.
- Size. Approximate square footage and number of stories, plus basement, crawlspace or slab.
- Everything that's coming down. House, garage, sheds, decks, fences, pool, driveway, trees.
- Utilities. Which are still active (gas, electric, water, sewer or septic, propane tank, oil tank).
- Access. Driveway width, overhead lines, fences, neighbors close to the property line.
- Photos. All four sides plus the interior and basement.
- What's next. Rebuild, sell or leave vacant, since that sets how the lot should be left.
- Timeline. Any deadline from a buyer, lender, insurer or code enforcement order.
With this information, a contractor can usually give a ballpark range by phone and a firm number after a site visit.
Serving Springfield and nearby
We take requests from property owners across Springfield and the Ozarks, including Springfield, Battlefield, Republic, Willard, Strafford, Rogersville, Nixa, Ozark, Marshfield. Coverage depends on contractor availability; tell us your town or ZIP. Before any digging, your contractor contacts Missouri One Call (811) to get buried utilities marked.
Common questions
Is demolition cheaper than renovating?
Not usually on its own, but if a house needs a new foundation, structure and systems, demolition plus a new build can make more sense. Angi suggests demolition when the foundation is compromised or the house is worth less than the land.
Does the contractor haul everything away?
Most residential demolition quotes include hauling, but not all. Confirm disposal, foundation removal and backfill are in writing.
Why do some contractors charge by the hour?
Small or uncertain jobs, like a shed or interior removal, are sometimes billed hourly. Angi lists $50 to $100 an hour for small outbuilding jobs. Whole houses are almost always priced per job.
Are there hidden costs?
The common surprises are foundation removal, fill dirt, asbestos, disposal fees and utility disconnects. A written line-item quote prevents most of them.
Is deconstruction more expensive?
Usually yes for labor, but salvaged material and possible tax deductions can offset part of the cost.