The cost to demolish a house in Broward County typically runs $8,000 to $25,000 for a standard single-family home, with most residential demolition projects in Broward County falling between $10 and $18 per square foot, depending on the home’s size, construction type, whether hazardous materials are present, and which city your property is located in.
A small 1,000-square-foot concrete block home runs toward the lower end. A two-story CBS home with asbestos abatement, pool removal, and full site clearing runs significantly higher.
This guide breaks down every cost category so you can build an accurate budget before calling a contractor.
Quick cost summary:
| Home size | Estimated total cost |
|---|---|
| Under 1,000 sq ft | $8,000 to $15,000 |
| 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft | $12,000 to $22,000 |
| 1,500 to 2,500 sq ft | $18,000 to $35,000 |
| 2,500 to 4,000 sq ft | $30,000 to $55,000 |
| Over 4,000 sq ft | $50,000 and up |
What Factors Affect the Cost to Demolish a House in Broward County?
Several variables specific to South Florida and Broward County consistently push the final price up or down relative to the per-square-foot baseline.
Construction Type
The vast majority of homes in Broward County are built with concrete block and stucco rather than wood frame. CBS construction is heavier, requires larger equipment, and generates significantly more debris by weight than wood-frame homes of the same size.
This is why Broward County residential demolition costs run higher than the national average, which is often based on wood-frame construction common in northern states.
Hazardous Materials
Homes built before 1978 frequently contain lead paint. Homes built before 1989 commonly contain asbestos in floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, pipe insulation, and roof materials. Both require licensed testing and abatement before demolition can begin.
Foundation Type
Post-tension concrete slabs, common in Broward County homes built from the 1980s onward, require a licensed structural engineer to identify and cut the tension cables before the slab can be removed. Standard slab removal is included in most demolition quotes; post-tension work is often a separate line item.
Site Access
A property with narrow gate access, tight property lines, or overhead utility lines requires smaller equipment and more hand-demolition time, both of which increase labor hours.
Pool and Outbuildings
If the property has a pool, detached garage, shed, or fence that needs to come down as part of the project, each adds to the total cost.
How Much Does House Demolition Cost Per Square Foot in Broward County?
The per-square-foot rate for residential demolition in Broward County breaks down by construction type:
| Construction type | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Wood frame | $8 to $12 per sq ft |
| Concrete block (CBS) | $12 to $18 per sq ft |
| CBS with post-tension slab | $15 to $22 per sq ft |
| Two-story CBS | $16 to $24 per sq ft |
The per-square-foot rate for residential demolition in Broward County breaks down by construction type:
These figures cover only physical demolition labor and equipment.
Permitting, asbestos abatement, utility disconnection, pool removal, and debris disposal are separate costs that add to the base demolition rate.
How Much Does the Demolition Permit Add to the Total Cost?
Every residential demolition in Broward County requires a permit, and the permit fee is a separate expense in addition to the contractor’s demolition fee.
For a standard single-family home in unincorporated Broward County, total permit costs, including the base permit fee, plan review, inspections, and state surcharge, typically run from $325 to $1,140.
The permit fee is calculated on the declared value of the demolition work, not the property value. Your licensed contractor declares the project value when submitting the application, and the building department applies Broward County’s fee schedule to that figure.
Permit costs vary by city. Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Miramar each have their own building departments and fee schedules. For a complete breakdown of what Broward County charges for a demolition permit by fee category, see the article on demolition permit costs in Broward County.
How Much Does Asbestos Testing and Removal Add to the Cost?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos-containing materials in homes built before 1980 must be identified and removed by a licensed abatement contractor before demolition begins.
In Broward County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection enforces this requirement at the state level, and violations carry significant fines.
For a typical Broward County home with moderate asbestos presence, budget these ranges:
- Asbestos inspection and survey: $200 to $500
- Floor tile abatement: $3 to $8 per square foot
- Popcorn ceiling abatement: $3 to $7 per square foot
- Pipe insulation removal: $10 to $20 per linear foot
- Roof material abatement: $5 to $12 per square foot
A home with asbestos in multiple locations can add $5,000 to $30,000 to the total project cost before demolition work begins. Testing first is always cheaper than discovering asbestos after demolition has started. For what the full process involves in Broward County, see what happens when asbestos is found before demolition.
How Much Does Pool Demolition Add to the Cost?
Pool removal is a common add-on for Broward County residential demolition projects, particularly when the property is being sold as a teardown lot or redeveloped for new construction.
There are two methods for pool removal in Broward County:
Full removal: the pool shell is completely broken up, and all concrete is hauled off-site. This is the more expensive option, but it leaves the lot with no restrictions on future construction in that footprint. Cost: $5,000 to $12,000 for a standard residential pool.
The tool shell is punctured for drainage, partially broken down, and filled with clean, compacted fill material. This method is faster and less expensive but may create deed restrictions or disclosure requirements depending on Broward County and city rules. Cost: $3,000 to $7,000.
If your demolition project includes pool removal, confirm with your contractor which method is appropriate for your intended next use of the property.
How Much Does Debris Removal Cost for Residential Demolition in Broward County?
Debris removal is priced by the ton and is typically included in most residential demolition quotes as a bundled line item. Still, it is worth confirming this before signing a contract.
A standard CBS single-family home in Broward County generates 50 to 150 tons of demolition debris. At $50 to $100 per ton for disposal at a licensed Broward County facility, debris removal alone costs $2,500 to $15,000, depending on home size and construction materials.
Some contractors haul materials with salvage value, such as steel, copper, and aluminum, to recycling facilities and apply a credit to offset disposal costs. Ask your contractor whether any salvage credit is factored into their estimate.
How Does the Broward County Residential Demolition Timeline Affect Cost?
Project duration affects total labor cost. A demolition that runs longer than expected due to unexpected structural conditions, equipment delays, or failed inspections adds crew hours to the final bill.
For most standard single-family home demolitions in Broward County, the physical teardown takes 1 to 3 days. The full project timeline from permit application to cleared lot runs 4 to 10 weeks when permit approval, utility disconnection, and debris removal are included. For the full phase-by-phase breakdown, see how long residential demolition takes in Broward County.
What Is the Total All-In Cost to Demolish a House in Broward County?
When you add every cost category together- demolition, permit, asbestos abatement, utility disconnection, debris removal, and pool removal, if applicable- here is what a realistic all-in budget looks like for common project types in Broward County:
| Project type | All-in estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Small CBS home, no hazmat, no pool | $12,000 to $22,000 |
| Mid-size CBS home with asbestos abatement | $25,000 to $45,000 |
| Large two-story home with pool removal | $45,000 to $75,000 |
| Full teardown with hazmat, pool, and outbuildings | $55,000 to $90,000+ |
These are real-world Broward County project ranges, not national averages. For how these figures compare to Florida-wide residential demolition pricing, see residential demolition cost in Florida.
How Do You Get an Accurate Demolition Cost for Your Broward County Home?
The only way to get an accurate number for your specific property is an on-site assessment. Square footage and construction type give you a ballpark. The site visit reveals what drives the final cost: foundation type, presence of hazardous materials, site access, and the condition of utilities.
Florida Demolition Experts provides free residential demolition estimates across Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and surrounding cities. We provide a complete line-item breakdown covering every cost category before any work begins, so there are no surprises once the project starts.
Contact us today to schedule your free on-site estimate and get a complete cost breakdown for your Broward County home demolition.
