How Much It Costs to Tear Down a Barn

If you have an old barn on your property that is no longer in use, you’re probably looking forward to the day that you can get rid of it. An old run-down barn can be an eyesore and can require a lot of maintenance. For those reasons, many people want their barn torn down. Once they decide, their next consideration is how much it will cost to get the job done. 

Cost of Tearing Down a Barn in Calgary, Canada

The cost of tearing down a barn in Calgary, Canada, will vary depending on several factors. In just a moment, we’ll explain what a few of those factors are. For now, let’s consider what the general cost of tearing down a barn is. 

In Calgary, demolition and deconstruction costs are typically related to the square footage of the building in question. Often the total price falls somewhere between $2 and $17 per square foot. 

What that means is that you can expect to pay several thousand dollars for barn demolition services. Again, that number will vary based on the factors that we will soon discuss. 

What Determines the Cost of Tearing Down a Barn?

No two barns are identical, which means that no two barn removal projects are precisely the same. Naturally, that leads to differences in the total price to tear down a barn. Here are some explanations of the influencing factors that will affect what it costs you to get rid of your old barn. 

Overall Barn Size

As we mentioned earlier, the total size of your barn will be one of the main influences over the total removal price. In general, the larger your barn is, the more it will cost for a team to tear it down. The reason for this is somewhat obvious as larger barns will require more time and effort on the part of the removal team. 

Barn Location

While some barns are out in an open field and easy to access, others are not. As such, the location of your barn can impact the cost of removal as well. If there are large structures nearby or if your barn sits in a relatively inaccessible area, then you can expect to pay a bit more. 

Barn Materials and Construction

The materials that comprise your barn will also influence the cost to tear it down. Simply put, some barn materials are weaker and therefore easier to remove. Materials that are strong and sturdy or are, for some reason, difficult to work with will lead to a high price for barn removal. 

One example of this is toxic materials. Some older barns may include substances such as lead paint or asbestos. Today we know that those materials are harmful to human health. But not long ago, they were normal features of the construction industry. Many demolition companies will charge a higher rate based on the danger of handling such materials. 

Foundation Removal

Many barns have concrete foundations similar to the ones you would find below your home. If yours does, then you’ll need to decide whether you want to remove that foundation along with the rest of your barn. If you do, that added work will often bring an additional charge for the hard labor it takes to break down and remove that concrete. 

Demolition vs. Deconstruction

There is more than one way to tear down a barn, and the method you choose will significantly impact the removal price. Many people are happy to have their old barns demolished completely, but there is another popular route that may offer some advantages. 

Deconstruction is a service that involves tearing down a barn while salvaging any valuable materials that may be present there. While an old barn does not appear to have much value, that is not always the case. Instead, many unused barns consist of hardwood that can later be used to make furniture and other products. 

The issue here is that deconstruction is often vastly more expensive than demolition. That is because the team conducting the deconstruction will need to take extra time to evaluate and safely store materials worth keeping. That will lead to the project taking longer to complete and costing more in the end. 

If you are unsure whether you should choose demolition or deconstruction, consider hiring a professional team to inspect your barn to help you decide which route is right for you. 

Who Is Doing the Work?

The final factor in the cost to tear down your barn is the company you choose to do the work. Not all companies offer the same pricing system. Likewise, not all companies can provide the same value and quality of work. If you want to hire an efficient and affordable team, you should count on Calgary Demolition Services next time you need to tear down a barn.