What Are Examples of Demolition?

When most people think of demolition, they picture massive wrecking balls swinging into tall buildings or controlled explosions bringing down entire city blocks. While those large-scale projects are certainly part of the industry, demolition comes in many different forms—ranging from small residential jobs to large commercial and industrial takedowns.

At its core, demolition is the process of tearing down or removing a structure, either partially or completely, to make way for something new. It could be as simple as knocking down an old garden shed or as complex as dismantling a multi-story building in the middle of a crowded neighborhood. Whether big or small, demolition requires planning, expertise, and often professional excavation services to ensure the site is properly prepared for the next stage of construction.
​
This article will walk through several examples of demolition, explain why it’s done, and highlight how hiring the right professionals—like excavation services in Ogden—makes all the difference.

Residential Demolition

One of the most common types of demolition is residential demolition. This includes projects that take place on private properties where homeowners want to remove old, outdated, or unsafe structures.
Examples of Residential Demolition

• Garage Removal: A homeowner may want to demolish an old garage to replace it with a larger, more modern one. For instance, tearing down a small one-car garage and rebuilding a spacious two-car garage with storage is a typical project.
• Home Expansions: In many cases, families need more space. This often means removing old rooms, porches, or attached sheds to make way for larger additions.
• Shed or Barn Demolition: Old sheds, barns, or outbuildings that have become unsafe or unusable are often torn down to clear space.
• Interior Demolition: Sometimes the goal isn’t to knock down the entire house but to strip out certain rooms. Kitchen gut jobs, basement clean-outs, and interior wall removals all count as demolition.

Residential demolition can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of the structure, accessibility, and local disposal fees. Even smaller jobs like tearing down a shed may still run a few thousand dollars because of labor, safety measures, and debris removal.

Commercial Demolition

Commercial demolition involves removing structures such as office buildings, retail stores, or warehouses. These jobs are generally larger and require careful coordination with city regulations, utility companies, and waste management services.
Examples of Commercial Demolition

• Office Buildings: Businesses often move, downsize, or upgrade. Old office buildings may need to be torn down to make way for new developments.
• Retail Stores: Shopping centers or standalone stores are sometimes demolished to create modern commercial spaces or mixed-use developments.
• Restaurants: Aging restaurants with outdated layouts or failing infrastructure are often demolished and rebuilt with more efficient designs.

Commercial demolition tends to be more expensive than residential. A small commercial building may cost $30,000 to $50,000 to demolish, while larger projects can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Industrial Demolition

Industrial demolition is one of the most complex and dangerous forms of demolition. These projects involve facilities like factories, plants, and warehouses that often contain hazardous materials, heavy machinery, and large footprints.
Examples of Industrial Demolition

• Factories: Old manufacturing plants may be taken down to repurpose the land for new industries or residential neighborhoods.
• Power Plants: Decommissioned power plants require specialized demolition teams to handle potentially hazardous waste and structural challenges.
• Warehouses: Large, outdated warehouses may be demolished and replaced with modern facilities designed to handle today’s supply chain needs.

Costs for industrial demolition vary widely but typically range from $50,000 to well over $1 million, depending on the scale and safety requirements.

Selective Demolition

Not every demolition project involves tearing down an entire structure. Sometimes only part of a building or structure is removed. This is called selective demolition.
Examples of Selective Demolition

• Removing a Wing of a Building: A school may demolish an outdated wing while keeping the rest of the facility intact.
• Interior Demolition for Renovation: Removing walls, flooring, or ceilings inside a building to remodel the space.
• Structural Modifications: Taking down staircases, balconies, or sections of a roof to make way for modern improvements.

Selective demolition is usually less expensive than full-scale demolition, but the costs can still range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on complexity.

Controlled Demolition

When safety and precision are paramount, controlled demolition is used. This often involves explosives, cranes, or high-tech equipment to bring down structures in a very specific way.
Examples of Controlled Demolition

• Implosions: High-rise buildings in urban environments are often demolished by implosion, where explosives are carefully placed to make the structure collapse inward.
• Bridge Removal: Large bridges may be demolished using explosives or heavy machinery while ensuring surrounding areas remain safe.
• Tower Demolition: Radio towers, smokestacks, and other tall structures are often dismantled with precision techniques.

Controlled demolition can cost anywhere from $20,000 to several million dollars, depending on the size and location of the project.

Environmental Considerations in Demolition

Modern demolition is not just about tearing things down—it’s also about doing it responsibly. Materials such as concrete, wood, and metal can often be recycled, reducing waste and costs. Hazardous materials like asbestos or lead paint must be removed safely to protect workers and the environment.
​
In many cases, professional excavation services handle both demolition and site cleanup, ensuring that the land is ready for its next use.

Why Hire Professionals for Demolition and Excavation?

Demolition may look straightforward, but it’s rarely a DIY project. Professional demolition and excavation services offer several advantages:

1. Safety: Experts know how to handle heavy equipment, hazardous materials, and structural risks.
2. Efficiency: Professionals complete jobs faster, with less disruption to surrounding areas.
3. Permits and Regulations: Licensed contractors handle the paperwork, permits, and legal requirements.
4. Proper Site Preparation: After demolition, excavation services prepare the land for the next stage of construction—whether it’s grading, trenching, or foundation work.

If you’ve ever searched for “excavation services near me” or “excavation services Ogden”, you’ve likely noticed that not all companies offer the same level of skill and professionalism. Choosing the right team ensures your project is done safely, on time, and within budget.

Understanding Demolition Through an Example

Imagine a homeowner who wants to expand their property. They have an old, run-down garage that no longer serves its purpose. Instead of simply patching it up, they decide to demolish it to build a larger, modern garage.
The demolition process will involve:

• Safely tearing down the old garage.
• Removing all debris and disposing of it properly.
• Preparing the land through excavation services so that the foundation for the new structure can be laid.

This example shows how demolition and excavation often go hand in hand. Demolition clears the way, and excavation prepares the land for what comes next.

The Costs of Demolition and Excavation

Costs for demolition and excavation vary based on the project size, materials, and location. On average:

• Small residential demolition: $4,000–$15,000
• Commercial demolition: $30,000–$50,000+
• Industrial demolition: $50,000–$1,000,000+
• Selective demolition: $5,000–$25,000

Excavation costs are typically calculated separately, with small residential excavation averaging $3,000 to $8,000, while large commercial or industrial projects can run much higher. Investing in professional services ensures that you don’t face costly mistakes or delays later in the construction process.

Conclusion: Get Professional Help for Your Demolition and Excavation Needs

Demolition takes many forms—residential, commercial, industrial, selective, and controlled. Whether you’re knocking down a small garage, gutting an office building, or preparing land for a new development, professional help is essential. With the right demolition and excavation services, you can clear your property safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all local regulations.

If you’re in the Ogden area and searching for excavation services near me or excavation services Ogden, look no further. At Ogden Excavation, we provide reliable, affordable, and professional services tailored to your needs. From demolition to site preparation, our team is ready to handle projects of any size.
​
Call Ogden Excavation today at (801) 516-4487 to discuss your demolition or excavation project. Let us help you clear the way for your next big project with confidence.