Full teardown of a house, detached garage, shed, or outbuilding down to a clear lot, including the slab if you want it gone, with permit coordination and the required asbestos survey built into the plan.
Clearing a lot for a rebuild or an ADU starts with the permit and the survey, not the excavator. The City of Bellingham requires a demolition permit to remove a structure, and we handle that coordination along with the required asbestos and lead survey. Once the paperwork is in order and any abatement is done, we take the structure down, separate what can be salvaged or recycled, and haul the rest to the transfer station, leaving you a clear, graded lot ready for the next phase.
Whatcom County housing stock skews older, so most full teardowns we do are on homes built between the 1950s and 1970s with asbestos in the siding, tile, or pipe wrap. We file the NWCAA notification before work starts and never knowingly disturb regulated material. For larger or complex sites we quote by consultation after we walk it.
What it actually costs.
Whole-house demolition $8,000 to $25,000
SizeSquare footage and number of stories
Foundation/slabWhether the slab and footings come out too
Survey & abatementAsbestos and lead survey, plus abatement if needed (quoted separately)
Access & disposalSite access, haul distance, and transfer-station fees
Our process.
Free on-site walkthrough & quote
We walk the property, scope the teardown, and give you a clear written quote, plus tell you exactly what permit and survey your job needs.
Permit & survey coordination
We coordinate the City of Bellingham demolition permit, the required asbestos and lead survey, and the NWCAA notification before work starts.
Teardown & separation
We take the structure down safely, separate salvageable and recyclable material to cut dump fees, and keep dust and debris controlled.
Haul-away & grade
We haul everything to the transfer station and leave a clear, graded lot ready for your rebuild or ADU.
Why hire a licensed crew.
City of Bellingham demolition permit coordinated for you
Required asbestos and lead survey built into the plan
NWCAA notification filed before work starts
Salvage and recycling separated to lower disposal cost
Clear, graded, build-ready lot when we leave
Frequently asked questions.
How much does it cost to demolish a house in Bellingham?
A typical single-family home runs $8,000 to $25,000 to demolish in Bellingham, depending on size, number of stories, whether the slab and footings come out, and site access. Larger or complex sites are quoted by consultation. The required asbestos and lead survey and any abatement are quoted separately because they are regulated work.
Do I need a permit to tear down a house, and who pulls it?
Most full-structure teardowns need a City of Bellingham demolition permit. We tell you up front what your job needs and handle the coordination, along with the required asbestos survey and the NWCAA notification.
What about asbestos and lead in an older house?
Homes built before 1980 very often have asbestos in tile, popcorn ceilings, pipe wrap, and siding, plus lead-based hazards on anything pre-1978. We schedule the required survey first and, if anything turns up, coordinate certified abatement before demo.
Ready for a free whole-house demolition quote?
Tell us what needs to come down. We offer a free on-site walkthrough and most homeowners hear back the same day.
Every neighborhood we serve has its own demolition challenges, from pre-1980 asbestos surveys in the core to rotted Lake Whatcom decks. Pick your area for local notes and pricing: