Updated July 11, 2023
If your commercial building was recently damaged or destroyed by a fire, demolition is likely the best option.
Demolishing a commercial structure that was damaged by a fire—whether it's a warehouse, grocery store, or clothing store—is not only the safest option, but it's often the most affordable option as well.
In this guide, we'll discuss the average cost of tearing down a fire-damaged commercial building, what goes into the process, and who to hire to get it done.
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Fire-Damaged Commercial Building Demolition Cost
The average cost to demolish a commercial structure that was fire-damaged is $20,000-$30,000, including debris disposal.
Your exact commercial demolition cost will depend on a number of factors, including how big the structure is, materials used to build it, whether or not any of the structure is repairable, the contents inside the structure that will also need to be disposed of, where the building is located and the average cost of living and disposal fees, as well as who you hire.
Common factors that influence the total cost of commercial demolition include:
- Size of the structure
- Location and accessibility of the building
- Materials used to build the structure
- Whether or not the foundation needs to be removed
- Whether or not hazardous materials, like asbestos or lead paint, are present
- Amount of salvageable material
- Who you hire to do the work
As we've already mentioned, getting multiple quotes from contractors in your area is key to getting a good price and good customer service, so don't skip this step.
Not doing your due diligence when researching contractors could cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Read on:
- How to Estimate the Cost of Commercial Demolition
- Commercial Retail Space Demolition Cost Guide
- Commercial Office Interior Demolition Cost Guide
Fire-Damaged Commercial Building Demolition Process
Many demolition contractors with experience handling fire-damaged commercial building demolition will assist with the insurance process, but that isn't always the case.
After you've spoken with your insurance company and sorted out coverage, here's what you can expect from the commercial demolition process...
Permit
Qualified, licensed, and insured contractors will happily pull permits for you, but confirm this with the contractors you speak to. This is a necessary step to ensure the work is done properly, safely, and up to code.
Safety
Ideally, no people will be around who could be harmed in the process. If there are any items in the surrounding area that can't be relocated, cover up those surfaces to prevent damaging them during the demolition process.
Utilities
Turn off any water, gas, or electricity in the structure. This is an important step to making sure the demolition can be completed safely without further issues.
Demolition
Mechanical demolition is the most common form of fire-damaged structure demolition—the structure is ripped down with the help of hydraulic excavators and other heavy machinery.
Debris
As the demolition process is completed, the debris is loaded into nearby dumpsters, and all resulting debris is then hauled away.
Who to Hire
Commercial demolition, especially when the structure is fire-damaged or structurally unsound, is dangerous work that requires an experienced professional.
Commercial demolition experts can have your structure safely removed in a matter of days in most cases, leaving you with a clean, freshly graded space.
Luckily, Hometown makes it easy to find contractors in your city or town, read verified customer reviews, and request quotes from as many contractors as you'd like.
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