--- title: "House Demolition Cost in St. Louis: Price Ranges and Permits" description: "LawnMasters reports $6,000 to $25,500 to demolish a standard house, or $4 to $17 per square foot. Basements, asbestos and permits add cost. See City rules." url: https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/house-demolition-cost-in-st-louis publisher: Advanced Environmental Services phone: +1-314-865-2662 quote: https://www.aes-stl.com/contact --- Local: St. Louis: 6 min read, published October 12, 2026 # House Demolition Cost in St. Louis: Price Ranges and Permits LawnMasters reports that, nationally, most homeowners spend $6,000 to $25,500 to demolish a standard 2,000-square-foot house, and prices run $4 to $17 per square foot. Asbestos and a basement add more. In the City of St. Louis, a certified demolition contractor pulls the permit for a typical house. [Request a Quote](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact)[(314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662) ![AES lift and equipment parked between brick buildings on a job site](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/lead-abatement-2025-12-03-11.52.58.B1pmqNuI_2tzsob.webp) ![Worker in an orange lift working on the upper floor of a brick building](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/Lead-2.9LKWOFtB_1gAHyw.webp) ![Large interior hall stripped to the floor during an AES abatement and demolition job](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/lead-abatement-2025-12-03-11.52.45._J8XFnrR_ZErVBy.webp) ## How much does it cost to demolish a house? LawnMasters reports that the national average to demolish a house is roughly $14,000, though most homeowners spend between $6,000 and $25,500 for a standard 2,000-square-foot property. Most contractors price the job at $4 to $17 per square foot, depending on complexity and location. These are national figures, not a St. Louis quote and not an AES price. Item Figure Source and condition Whole house $6,000 to $25,500 LawnMasters; most homeowners, standard 2,000-square-foot property; national average roughly $14,000 Per square foot $4 to $17 LawnMasters; depends on complexity and location House with a basement, Missouri $12,771.88 (range $8,325.00 to $17,218.75) ProMatcher; fixed fee reported to them for Missouri Full basement removal $5,000 to $15,000 extra LawnMasters; beyond the standard demolition price Concrete slab foundation $2,000 to $6,000 LawnMasters Asbestos removal $2,000 to $20,000 or more LawnMasters; depends on how extensively it was used City garage or shed permit $25.00 City of St. Louis; permit good for 30 days AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use [our contact page](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact). ## What changes the price of a house demolition? Size, method, basement, hazardous material, permits and utilities. LawnMasters says square footage is the single biggest factor. Mechanical demolition costs $4 to $10 per square foot, and deconstruction costs $8 to $16. A basement, an attached neighbor or hidden hazards each add work. For a St. Louis house, these questions decide the price. 1. **How big is it, and does it have a basement?** More volume means more hauling. LawnMasters puts full basement removal at $5,000 to $15,000 beyond the standard demolition price. 2. **Is it attached to neighbors?** Row houses and tight lots need careful, slower work. The City asks for photos of all four sides and of neighboring structures before it issues a permit. 3. **What is inside?** Old homes can hold asbestos in floor tile, pipe insulation or siding, and lead in paint. 4. **Which method fits?** LawnMasters says mechanical demolition is the most common and least expensive method. Deconstruction salvages flooring, fixtures, doors and windows but costs roughly double. 5. **What do utilities need?** LawnMasters says gas, electric, water, sewer and telecommunications must be disconnected before demolition proceeds, and that some providers need several weeks’ notice. Ask who arranges it. LawnMasters says permit fees typically cost $200 to $1,000 or more depending on the city and project scope. That is a national figure. The City of St. Louis bases its fee on the size of the building, so ask the Permit Section for your address. The sources also differ on hazards. LawnMasters gives asbestos a wide range, $2,000 to $20,000 or more, and says it depends on how extensively the material was used. A survey tells you which end applies. Do not rely on any single average. ## Does asbestos change the cost of demolition? Yes, in two ways. LawnMasters says asbestos removal alone can cost $2,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on how extensively it was used. The survey and the notice also come before any teardown, so they affect the schedule. Hazardous material comes out first. St. Louis County puts the survey first. The County says all municipalities and County Public Works rely on its Air Pollution Control Program to ensure that all asbestos and other environmental hazards are addressed before issuing their demolition permits. Phone 314.615.8924 for that office. Plan on this order. 1. A licensed inspector surveys the structure for asbestos. 2. Any regulated asbestos comes out before demolition. 3. The notice and permit paperwork are filed. 4. The teardown begins. Our [asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/asbestos-survey) page and the glossary entry on [asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-survey) explain the first step. The [Missouri demolition and renovation asbestos rules](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/missouri-demolition-and-renovation-asbestos-rules) guide covers the notice rules, including the [NESHAP](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/neshap) notice. Our post on the [Missouri asbestos notification, 10 working days](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/missouri-asbestos-notification-10-working-days) explains the timing, and our post on [asbestos testing cost](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-much-does-asbestos-testing-cost) covers the survey price. Do not skip the survey to save money. A missed hazard can stop the job and cost more. ## Who can pull a demolition permit in the City of St. Louis? A demolition contractor certified by the City must obtain demolition permits. An owner may be issued one only for a small building: no more than 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet high, less than 10,000 cubic feet, and less than 1,000 square feet of floor area, with no basement. All of those conditions apply. A typical house with a basement does not meet the test. If your building is… Who pulls the permit A garage or shed An owner may be issued a permit; the fee is $25.00, good for 30 days 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet or less, under 10,000 cubic feet and 1,000 square feet, no basement An owner may be issued a permit Any building with a basement, or larger than that limit A City-certified demolition contractor A partial demolition Call the Permit Section, (314) 622-3313, for the requirements The City says the cost of the demolition permit is based on the size of the building. If the applicant is not the owner, the City requires a notarized letter from the building owner. Every application needs photographs of the structure. Our [St. Louis City asbestos and demolition permits](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/st-louis-city-asbestos-and-demolition-permits) guide and the [St. Louis County version](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/st-louis-county-asbestos-and-demolition-permits) cover the paperwork. Our posts on [demolishing your own house in St. Louis](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/can-you-demolish-your-own-house-in-st-louis) and [how long a demolition permit takes](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-long-to-get-a-demolition-permit-in-st-louis) answer the next two questions. Our post on the [City asbestos abatement permit](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/st-louis-city-asbestos-abatement-permit) explains the abatement side. AES holds a City of St. Louis Demolition Contractors’ Certificate, Class II, for the period 02/28/2026 to 02/28/2027. The certificate does not define Class II, so ask the City what a Class II certificate covers for your building. ## Does a historic district change the plan in St. Louis? It can. The City says structures within Local Historic Districts (about 10% of the city), within Preservation Review Districts, or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places may be flagged through its Cultural Resources Office. That office reviews whether the structure should be demolished. Check this before you sign a contract. A review adds time and can change the answer. Ask the contractor whether your address sits in a historic or preservation district, and ask the Permit Section at (314) 622-3313. ## What should a demolition quote include? A clear quote names the structure, the hazards, the permits, the utilities, the hauling and the site condition when the crew leaves. Ask for it itemized. LawnMasters says to request at least three written estimates that itemize labor, equipment, permits, disposal and any hazardous material abatement. - **Survey.** Is the asbestos survey in the price, or separate? - **Abatement.** Who removes any asbestos, and is that priced? - **Permits and notices.** Who files them, and who pays? - **Utilities.** Who coordinates shut-off and capping? - **Debris.** Who hauls it, and is hauling in the price? - **Basement.** Are the walls, floor and backfill in the price? - **Site.** Is the lot graded, filled or left rough? Compare scopes, not totals. A low price that leaves out the survey, permits or hauling comes back as change orders. ## Can only part of the building come down? Yes. Demolition can mean full building removal, interior demolition, or removal of one wing of a building. AES lists these on its demolition page. LawnMasters says partial demolition targets specific areas or features, such as a garage, deck, pool or chimney, and that these jobs cost considerably less than a full teardown. The same survey and hazard rules apply to the part you disturb. Interior work follows the same logic. The glossary explains [interior demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/interior-demolition), and AES covers it on its [interior demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/interior-demolition) page. See the [demolition from survey to debris](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/demolition-from-survey-to-debris) guide for the full order of steps, and our post on [how long it takes to demolish a house](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-demolish-a-house) for the schedule. ## Next step AES removes debris and dangerous materials such as mold, asbestos and lead as part of its demolition work. Send AES the address, a few photos and the size of the building. AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use [our contact page](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact). See the [house demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/house-demolition) page for scope. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does it cost to demolish a house in St. Louis? LawnMasters reports that most homeowners spend between $6,000 and $25,500 for a standard 2,000-square-foot property, with a national average of roughly $14,000. ProMatcher's Missouri report lists $12,771.88 for a house with a basement. These are not St. Louis quotes. AES quotes each job. ### Does asbestos add to the cost of demolition? Yes. LawnMasters says asbestos removal alone can cost $2,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on how extensively it was used. In St. Louis County, the Air Pollution Control Program makes sure asbestos and other environmental hazards are addressed before demolition permits are issued. ### Who can pull a demolition permit in the City of St. Louis? The City says a certified demolition contractor must obtain demolition permits, and that an owner may be issued one only if the building is no more than 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet high, under 10,000 cubic feet and 1,000 square feet of floor area, with no basement. Owners may also be issued a permit for a garage or shed. ### What does a demolition permit cost in St. Louis? The City says the cost of the demolition permit is based on the size of the building to be demolished, and the permit fee for a garage or shed is $25.00. The City page does not list a house fee in the text we read, so call the Permit Section at (314) 622-3313 for your address. ### Does a basement add to the demolition price? Yes. LawnMasters says full basement removal is an additional $5,000 to $15,000 beyond the standard demolition price, and that removing a concrete slab foundation typically costs $2,000 to $6,000. Ask any contractor whether the quote covers the basement walls, the floor and the backfill. ### Is a historic building harder to demolish in St. Louis? It can be. The City says structures within Local Historic Districts (about 10% of the city), within Preservation Review Districts, or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places may be flagged through its Cultural Resources Office, which reviews whether the structure should be demolished. ## Terms on this page - [Interior demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/interior-demolition) - [Asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-survey) - [NESHAP](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/neshap) ## Sources 1. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026)](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 2. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), per square foot](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 3. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), mechanical](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 4. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), deconstruction](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 5. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), asbestos](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 6. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), basement](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 7. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), slab](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 8. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), permits](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 9. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), utilities](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 10. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), estimates](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 11. [LawnMasters: How Much Does It Cost To Demolish A House? (2026), partial](https://lawnmasters.com/costs/cost-to-demolish-a-house) 12. [ProMatcher: Missouri Demolition Costs & Prices](https://demolition.promatcher.com/cost/missouri.aspx) 13. [City of St. Louis: Apply for a Demolition Permit, owner permits](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 14. [City of St. Louis: Apply for a Demolition Permit, fee](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 15. [City of St. Louis: Apply for a Demolition Permit, garage or shed fee](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 16. [City of St. Louis: Apply for a Demolition Permit, permit length](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 17. [City of St. Louis: Apply for a Demolition Permit, contractor](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 18. [City of St. Louis: Apply for a Demolition Permit, photos](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 19. [City of St. Louis: Apply for a Demolition Permit, historic review](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 20. [St. Louis County Public Health: Demolition Inspections](https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/public-health/environmental-services/air-pollution-control/demolition-inspections/) Written by Advanced Environmental Services and checked against the sources above on October 12, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [St. Louis County demolition permits and asbestos rules: who issues what, and what it costsIn St. Louis County, Public Works issues demolition permits for unincorporated areas and for cities that contract with the County. Air Pollution Control must clear asbestos first. The base permit fee is $126. Twelve named cities also require a letter from the municipality. Utilities, septic tanks, wells and propane tanks must be handled before the permit issues.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/st-louis-county-asbestos-and-demolition-permits) - [City of St. Louis demolition permits and asbestos notices: who files, what it costsIn the City of St. Louis, two offices work side by side. The Building Division issues the demolition permit. Air Pollution Control takes the asbestos notices. An owner may pull a permit only for a small building. Larger jobs need a City-certified demolition contractor. The City's asbestos trigger is 10 square feet, lower than the state's.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/st-louis-city-asbestos-and-demolition-permits) - [Demolition in Missouri, From Survey to Debris: Every Step in OrderA Missouri demolition starts with a survey for asbestos, lead and mold, not with equipment. Next come notices to DNR or the city, utility disconnects and abatement. Only then does teardown begin, followed by salvage sorting and hauling debris to a regulated landfill. Each step protects the next one.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/demolition-from-survey-to-debris) - [Missouri asbestos rules for demolition and renovation: who you notify and whenIn Missouri, a regulated demolition or renovation needs an inspection by a certified asbestos inspector and a notice at least 10 working days before work starts. Thresholds of 160 square feet, 260 linear feet or 35 cubic feet trigger removal by a registered contractor. Most single-family homes are exempt.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/missouri-demolition-and-renovation-asbestos-rules) - [Can You Demolish Your Own House in St. Louis City?Rarely. In St. Louis City an owner can get a demolition permit only if the building is no more than 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet tall, under 10,000 cubic feet and 1,000 square feet of floor area, with no basement. Many houses are bigger, so a City-certified demolition contractor must pull the permit.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/can-you-demolish-your-own-house-in-st-louis) - [How Long Does It Take to Demolish a House? A Missouri TimelineAES says that if all the paperwork is present, a house can often be demolished in as little as 3 to 5 days. AES also says a small to medium building takes 5 to 10 days without extra work such as asbestos removal. Permits and notices can take a minimum of 10 working days first.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-demolish-a-house) ## Request your custom environmental remediation estimate Contact us for a free environmental remediation or restoration estimate and a personalized solution to your problems. [Or call (314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662)