How to Estimate the Cost of a Commercial Demolition Project

The average cost to demolish a commercial building in the United States is about $30,500. However, the cost varies and it is good to determine how much your commercial building demolition will cost. Here are factors to consider when determining the cost of demolishing a commercial building:

The Square Footage of the Commercial Building
It’s good to measure the square footage of the commercial building you want to demolish as most of the costs associated with demolition projects are charged by square foot. If the commercial building you want to demolish is rectangle-shaped or square-shaped, measure it using a laser or tape measure.

After measuring the length and the width of the building, multiply them together. The average cost to demolish a commercial building is between $4 and $8 per square foot. Keep in mind that this cost can go up or go down depending on the square footage. The cost of demolishing a commercial building decreases with increased square footage.

Asbestos
It costs more to demolish a building with asbestos. This is because the asbestos has to be removed by professionals before the building is demolished. Look for professionals to inspect your commercial building before demolishing it. Those buildings built in the 1980s or earlier are more likely to have asbestos or other hazardous materials as the construction industry used asbestos in the 1980s and earlier.

Asbestos is mostly found in cement sheet, floor tiles, steam pipes, millboard, insulation around furnaces, boilers and so on. Hire a reputable, professional asbestos inspector to inspect your commercial building before demolishing it. If the inspector finds hazardous materials, it is good to have the materials removed.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guidelines to ensure the proper and safe removal of asbestos. The cost of removing asbestos ranges between $2 and $3 per square foot. It is a good idea to get a written estimate of the cost of removing and disposing of asbestos from the abatement professional.

Permits, Licenses, and Other Policies
Ensure that you get permits, licenses, and other policies before demolishing your commercial building. Inform utility companies that you are planning to demolish your commercial building. The average cost of demolition permits is $200.

This cost varies depending on where you live and permits in some states cost as much as $10,000. While the permit cost is mostly included in the price of a demolition service, it is important to confirm this when you get your written estimate.

Have a planned demolition project in Tampa or St. Petersburg? Contact Industrial Demolition today!

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