Yes, but not the way most homeowners think. In Broward County, demolition and new construction are two separate permitted processes. You cannot pull a single permit that covers both.
What you can do is sequence them so your rebuild permit is approved and ready before demolition is complete, cutting weeks off your total project timeline.
This guide explains exactly how that works, what Broward County requires, and how to avoid the delays that slow most demo-rebuild projects down.
Can You Start Rebuilding Before Demolition Is Finished?
No. In Broward County, a Certificate of Demolition must be issued before a new construction permit can be issued for the same lot.
The building department requires confirmation that the existing structure has been removed and the lot is cleared before it allows foundation work to begin.
What you can do in parallel:
- Submit your rebuild permit application while demolition is still in progress
- Get your architectural plans reviewed and approved during the demolition phase
- Have your new construction contractor mobilized and ready to start the day clearance is issued
The wait is in the permit reviews, not the physical work. That overlap is where smart project management saves you time.
What Permits Does Broward County Require for a Demo-Rebuild?
You need two separate permits. They run on separate tracks but can be applied for simultaneously.
| Permit | Who Pulls It | When It’s Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition Permit | Licensed demolition contractor | Before any structure is torn down |
| Building Permit (New Construction) | General contractor or builder | Applied for during demolition, activated after lot clearance |
The demolition permit covers structure removal, utility disconnection, and site clearing. The building permit covers your new foundation, framing, systems, and finishes.
What Is the Step-by-Step Process for a Demo-Rebuild in Broward County?
Step 1: Hire Your Demolition Contractor First
The demolition contractor pulls the demo permit. This process takes 2 to 4 weeks in Broward County, depending on the structure size and whether an asbestos survey is required.
Properties built before 1989 require a licensed asbestos inspector to clear the structure before demo can begin.
Step 2: Apply for Your Build Permit at the Same Time
While your demolition contractor is processing the demo permit, your builder should be submitting construction documents to the county.
Plan review for new residential construction in Broward County currently takes 4 to 8 weeks. Starting this process during the demo means your build permit is waiting on you, not the other way around, the moment the lot clears.
Step 3: Demolition Begins
Once the demo permit is issued and any hazmat is cleared, active demolition of a typical single-family home takes 1 to 3 days.
The stages of demolition in Broward County pre-demo inspection, utility disconnection, structural teardown, and debris removal run in sequence, and each one has to be documented before the county signs off.
Step 4: Lot Clearance and Inspection
After demolition, the county inspects the site and issues a Certificate of Demolition. This is the trigger that activates your building permit.
Step 5: New Construction Begins
With the demolition certificate in hand and your building permit already approved, your general contractor can break ground the same week.
How Long Does a Demo-Rebuild Take in Broward County?
| Phase | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Asbestos survey (if required) | 1–2 weeks |
| Demo permit processing | 2–4 weeks |
| Active demolition | 1–3 days |
| Site clearing & debris removal | 2–5 days |
| Build permit review | 4–8 weeks |
| Gap before construction starts | 0–2 weeks |
Most homeowners are surprised that residential demolition itself takes only a few days; it is the permitting on both ends that determines your real start date if you wait until after demolition is complete to begin the build permit process, you are adding 4 to 8 weeks to your total timeline for no reason.
What Are the Biggest Mistakes People Make on Demo-Rebuild Projects?
Waiting to hire the builder until after demo is done.
This is the most common mistake. Demo takes a few days. Building permit review takes weeks. Every day you delay submitting construction documents adds to your move-in date.
Skipping the asbestos survey.
Florida DEP requires a licensed asbestos survey before demolition of any pre-1989 structure. If a contractor does not bring this up, that is a red flag. Missing it can result in stop-work orders and cleanup fines that set the entire project back months.
Not understanding what your demo budget actually covers.
Before signing with any contractor, get a line-item breakdown. The cost to demolish a house in Broward County varies significantly depending on structure type and slab condition. Whether hazmat abatement is needed should be visible in your quote, not buried in a later change order.
Assuming one contractor handles both permits.
Demolition contractors and general contractors hold different types of licenses in Florida. Confirm who is pulling which permit before work starts. Verify both licenses at myfloridalicense.com.
Does the Existing Foundation Affect Your Rebuild?
Yes. In Broward County, whether you keep or remove the existing foundation depends on your new construction plans.
- If the new structure has the same footprint, the engineer may certify the existing slab for reuse, saving costs.
- If the footprint changes or the slab is damaged, it must come out as part of the demo scope.
- Post-tension slabs are common in South Florida and require specialized cutting equipment. Not every contractor has this capability, so confirm experience with post-tension work before signing.
How Much Does a Demo-Rebuild Cost in Broward County?
Demolition and new construction are priced and permitted separately. For the demolition side, Broward County permit fees are just one line in your total cost structure; size, material type, and hazmat scope drive the larger numbers.
General benchmarks for residential demolition in Broward County:
- Wood frame home under 1,500 sq ft: $8,000 to $14,000
- CBS home under 1,500 sq ft: $12,000 to $22,000
- Asbestos abatement, if required: $3,000 to $15,000 additional
New construction in Broward County currently runs $200 to $350 per square foot for custom residential builds, depending on finishes and specs.
Who Coordinates the Two Permits?
Both contractors should be coordinating with you, but you are the point of contact between them. The cleaner setup is a general contractor who has an established demolition subcontractor they manage the sequencing and permit handoff internally.
If you hire them separately, keep a shared timeline and confirm permit status weekly. According to the Broward County Building Division, both permits can be tracked in real time through the county’s online permit portal.
Ready to Start Your Demo-Rebuild in Broward County?
Florida Demolition Experts handles the full demolition phase for residential demo-rebuild projects across Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and surrounding areas.
We pull the permit, manage asbestos abatement, complete the teardown, and clear the lot so your builder can break ground without waiting on us.
We coordinate directly with your general contractor so the permit sequencing is right from day one.
