1. Total demolition
Total or complete demolition removes the whole structure, usually down to the foundation and sometimes including it. On homes this is typically done with an excavator fitted with a bucket or grapple, after utilities are disconnected and any hazardous materials have been dealt with.
It's the fastest way to clear a lot for a new build, and it's usually the cheapest per square foot, but very little of the material gets reused.
2. Selective demolition
Selective demolition, also called partial, interior or light demolition, removes only specific parts of a building while the structure stays standing. Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, non-load-bearing walls, ceilings, an old addition, a porch or a carport are all common targets.
It's the first step of almost every renovation, and it's what most homeowners actually need. It's done mostly with hand and power tools, and the debris is hauled out as the work goes.
3. Deconstruction
Deconstruction is demolition in reverse: the building is taken apart carefully, roughly in the opposite order it was built, so that lumber, doors, windows, cabinets, fixtures, metal and masonry can be reused or recycled.
It takes longer and costs more in labor. HomeGuide puts it at about $8 to $16 per square foot. Some of that can be offset by the value of salvaged materials or donations.
How the three types compare
| Total demolition | Selective demolition | Deconstruction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What's removed | The entire structure | Specific parts only | The entire structure, piece by piece |
| Building stays standing | No | Yes | No |
| Main tools | Excavators, loaders | Hand and power tools | Hand tools, light equipment |
| Speed | Fastest | Fast for its scope | Slowest |
| Reuse and recycling | Low | Moderate | Highest |
| Typical use | Clearing a lot for a new build | Renovations, storm repairs, outdoor structures | Green builds, salvage, historic materials |
What about implosion?
Implosion uses carefully placed explosives to bring a large building down onto its own footprint. It's used for towers, stadiums and big industrial structures, requires specialized engineering firms and extensive permitting, and is never used on houses.
Which type do you need?
- Remodeling a kitchen, bathroom or floor, or removing a shed, deck or fence: selective demolition.
- Replacing a house entirely with a new one: total demolition, done by a licensed demolition contractor with permits.
- Want to salvage materials or reduce landfill waste on a teardown: deconstruction.
Common questions
What type of demolition is used for renovations?
Selective demolition, also called interior or light demolition. Only the parts being replaced come out, and the rest of the building stays standing.
Is deconstruction more expensive than demolition?
Usually yes in labor, because the building is taken apart by hand. Salvage value, donations and lower disposal costs can offset part of the difference.
What is soft stripping?
Soft stripping is removing non-structural interior items, like fixtures, fittings, flooring, ceilings and partitions, before a larger demolition or renovation. It's a form of selective demolition.
Which type of demolition does Sunshine Demolition do?
Selective, or light, demolition: interior tear-outs, sheds, decks, fences, hot tubs and similar jobs, plus the cleanup and haul-away. We don't do total demolition of houses or implosions.