Updated January 23, 2023
If you are looking to have extensive or selective interior demolition done, you're likely wondering how much it will cost to complete your project.
Whether you're looking to gut a room or entire house, the first question you're probably asking yourself is, 'How much is this going to cost?'
We understand that getting the best price for your interior demolition is of the utmost importance to you, and we want to help ensure you get that.
This guide will go over the average costs for both types of interior demolition:
Interior demolition costs vary based on a number of factors, including the amount of work you need done, the building materials being removed, where the building is located, whether or not hazardous materials are present, who you hire, and more.
Your exact project cost will depend on these factors, and the best way to get an accurate estimate for your project is to reach out to multiple contractors in your area for a quote.
This not only ensures you get the best price but also allows you to choose the best interior demolition contractor for the job, not just the cheapest.
Residential Interior Demolition Average Cost
Residential interior demolition costs $3-$8 per square foot on average.
The national average cost of residential interior demolition projects falls around $4,000, including debris disposal, with most residential interior demolition projects costing between $550 and $12,000.
However, as with all demolition jobs, the exact size and complexity of your interior demolition work will affect how much your project costs.
Common Factors Affecting the Cost of Interior Demolition
- Size of the project
- Location of the job site
- Complexity of the project (Is electrical/plumbing involved?)
- Type of building materials being removed
- Whether or not hazardous materials are present
- Who you hire to do the work
Below are real-life examples of what others have paid for their residential interior demolition project.
These sample prices can help give you an idea of what interior demolition costs across the country look like, how they vary, and why.
| State | City | Project Description | Project Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Los Angeles | Removal of 50 sq ft tile shower and flooring | $1,300 |
| California | Yucaipa | Removal of 800 sq ft of ceramic tile and 2,200 sq ft of carpet | $1,500 |
| California | Laguna Beach | Removal of kitchen wall and cabinets | $600 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Demolition of 700 sq ft apartment interior and additional bedroom | $2,200 |
| Massachusetts | Wakefield | Demolition of 2,000 sq ft of interior space and removal of 70 ft of asbestos pipe insulation | $12,000 |
| Massachusetts | Hull | Demolition 4,200 sq ft of interior space, including insulation, plaster walls, and bathroom fixtures | $5,000 |
| Michigan | Holland | Removal of 300 sq ft of asbestos tile flooring | $1,000 |
| Michigan | White Lake | Demolition of 1,000 sq ft of interior space | $5,500 |
| Minnesota | Plymouth | Removal of 75 sq ft of asbestos tile flooring | $550 |
| New Jersey | Edison | Demolition of 1,600 sq ft of interior space, including full bath, kitchen, two bedrooms, attic, and laundry room | $4,500 |
| New Jersey | Marlton | Demolition of 100 sq ft bathroom interior | $950 |
| New York | Massapequa | Demolition of 130 sq ft interior space | $550 |
| Texas | Highland Park | Demolition of 5,500 sq ft of interior space, including plaster walls | $6,800 |
| Utah | Layton | Demolition of 6,500 sq ft interior space, including walls, carpeting, and doors | $6,000 |
| Virginia | Alexandria | Demolition of 185 sq ft interior room | $1,000 |
As you can see, the size and complexity of the interior demolition project have the greatest effect on cost.
Likewise, you can generally expect to pay more for your project if you live in an area with high waste disposal fees and a high cost of living (COL).
Because prices are typically based on the square footage of building material being removed and the labor required to get it done, the larger and more complex the project, the more it will cost to complete the job.
For example, a resident of Massapequa, New York—where the COL is 155.7/100—paid $550 to demolish 130 sq ft of basic interior space, while a resident in Marlton, New Jersey—where the COL is 105.4/100—paid $950 to demolish 100 sq ft of bathroom interior.
Though the COL is significantly higher in Massapequa and more square footage of interior space is being removed, demolition work involving plumbing requires much more caution and time to handle properly and therefore costs more to complete.
Another factor in residential interior demolition costs is whether or not hazardous materials, like asbestos or lead paint, are present and need to be abated.
For example, a resident in Wakefield, Massachusetts paid $7,000 more than a neighboring resident in Hull, Massachusetts to have half the amount of interior square footage removed.
The interior demolition project in Wakefield is significantly more expensive because 70 ft of asbestos pipe insulation needed to be removed, while the project in Hull—though a larger project by more than 2,000 sq ft—did not involve asbestos removal.
Find residential interior demolition experts near you
Keep reading about interior demolition:
- Interior Demolition Cost Guide to Appliance, Ceiling, Floor, and Wall Removal
- What's the Best Time of Year to Handle Interior Demolition Projects?
- DIY Interior Demolition: Is It Really Worth It?
Commercial Interior Demolition Average Cost
Commercial interior demolition costs $4-$8 per square foot on average.
The national average cost of commercial interior demolition projects falls around $9,000, including debris disposal.
However, commercial interior demolition projects can range anywhere from $1,000 to millions of dollars.
As with all demolition jobs, the exact size and complexity of your commercial interior demolition work will affect how much your project costs.
Common Factors Affecting the Cost of Interior Demolition
- Size of the project
- Location of the job site
- Complexity of the project (Is electrical/plumbing involved?)
- Type of building materials being removed
- Whether or not hazardous materials are present
- Who you hire to do the work
Below are real-life examples of what others have paid for their commercial interior demolition project.
These sample prices can help give you an idea of what interior demolition costs across the country look like, how they vary, and why.
| State | City | Project Description | Project Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Santa Fe Springs | Demolition of 2,900 sq ft of a cell phone store's interior space | $6,000 |
| Michigan | Ann Arbor | Demolition of 1,500 sq ft of commercial interior space, including mechanical and electrical | $9,000 |
| Michigan | Detroit | Demolition of 1,500 sq ft of interior salon space | $9,800 |
| New Jersey | Cherry Hill | Demolition of 24,616 sq ft of commercial interior down to the studs | $1,000,000 |
| Texas | Dallas | Demolition of 336 sq ft of commercial interior walls | $700 |
As you can see from the above examples, it costs a great deal more to gut a warehouse-style commercial building than it does to gut the average retail space, like a cell phone store.
Commercial spaces vary in size, from 1,000-2,000 sq ft for the average retail space to 5,000 sq ft for the average office space, and as high as 16,500 sq ft for the average warehouse space.
Because of this, the cost to gut these interiors can fluctuate a great deal, too.
You can also see from these examples that the smaller and simpler the project is (those that don't involve plumbing or electrical), the less the project costs.
For example, it only cost a Dallas, Texas (COL 101.6/100) business owner $700 to demolish 336 sq ft of basic interior walls, while a Detroit, Michigan (COL 87.6/100) business owner had to pay $9,800 to demolish an additional 800 sq ft and the plumbing and electrical that comes with a salon.
Find commercial interior demolition experts in your area
Learn more about commercial demolition: