"Demolition" sounds like wrecking balls, but most residential demo jobs in Orange County are small and surgical: a deck that is past saving, a kitchen prepped for remodel, a patio slab that needs to go. Here is how these jobs are priced and what actually drives the cost.
How demolition is priced
Unlike junk removal, which is priced by truck volume, demolition is quoted per project. Every quote weighs four things:
- Size and scope. A 100 square foot deck versus a 600 square foot deck, or one wall versus a whole-room strip-out.
- Material. Wood comes apart fast. Concrete, tile, and stucco fight back, and they are heavy, which raises disposal costs.
- Access. Can a truck get close? Is there a slope, stairs, or a narrow gate? Debris that has to travel farther by wheelbarrow takes more labor.
- Disposal. Demo debris is billed by weight at the landfill. Concrete and tile are the heavyweights, and that cost is built into your quote upfront.
Typical residential demo projects
Deck and patio cover removal. The most common backyard demo. Older wood decks come down quickly; the price mostly tracks size and how the debris gets to the truck.
Shed and structure removal. Sheds, playhouses, gazebos, and old patio structures. Usually a half-day job including haul-off.
[Kitchen demolition](/kitchen-demolition). Cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances removed before a remodel. Contractors love walking into a clean, stripped kitchen, and doing demo separately often costs less than having the remodel crew do it.
[Bathroom demolition](/bathroom-demolition). Tub, tile, and vanity out, down to the studs if needed. Tile adds weight and time, and we quote that honestly upfront.
[Concrete and patio demo](/patio-demolition). Priced largely by square footage and thickness. Breaking, hauling, and disposal of concrete is heavy work, and it is the job most homeowners regret attempting themselves.
Every one of these gets a firm, written price before work starts. Estimates are free.
Do I need a permit?
Many small demo jobs, like removing a freestanding deck or shed, do not require a permit in most Orange County cities, but rules vary by city and by what is attached to the house. Interior demo tied to a remodel is typically covered under the remodel's permit. When you get a quote, tell us what city you are in, from Irvine to San Juan Capistrano, and we will flag anything that needs checking before demo day.
Why licensed matters more for demo than anything else
Demolition touches structure, electrical, gas, and plumbing. An unlicensed crew with a sledgehammer can turn a $2,000 project into a $20,000 repair by cutting the wrong thing. Junk Tigers is licensed and insured (Lic. #1152273), we disconnect and cap utilities properly, and we leave a clean site your contractor can build on the same day.
Get a demo quote this week
Text photos of the project to (949) 842-4688 or grab a free estimate through the quote form. Most small demo jobs are scheduled within days, not weeks.