Demolition · Orange County
Residential Demolition in Orange County
Full house tear-downs, partial demolition for additions, and lot clearing for rebuilds — handled start to finish so your builder gets a clean, compacted pad on schedule.
- Locally owned in Fullerton
- Free written estimates
- Haul-off included
Residential Demolition done right
Most Orange County homes coming down today are 1950s–1970s tract houses being replaced with a larger custom build, or a single-story home losing part of its structure for a second-story addition. Both jobs look simple from the street and are not: there are gas and electric disconnects to confirm, a sewer lateral to cap, an asbestos survey the South Coast AQMD requires before any demolition, and neighbors on three sides who will notice dust, noise and trucks.
We plan each residential demolition around those realities. We walk the property with you, identify what is coming out and what has to stay — trees, block walls, a neighbor’s fence, a foundation you may want to reuse — and give you a written scope that your architect, builder and lender can all read.
What’s included
- Pre-demolition site walk and written scope of work
- Coordination of the city demolition permit and utility disconnect sign-offs
- Asbestos and lead survey arranged through a certified consultant (SCAQMD Rule 1403)
- Erosion control, dust suppression and street protection
- Structure, foundation and flatwork removal as scoped
- Separation of concrete, metal and green waste for recycling
- Rough grade of the pad and final site clean-up
Our process
How we handle residential demolition
- 01
Site walk & scope
We measure the structure, note access for equipment and trucks, and flag anything that needs to be protected.
- 02
Permits & surveys
We coordinate the demolition permit, the asbestos survey and utility disconnects so nothing stalls the start date.
- 03
Soft strip
Interior materials, fixtures and anything salvageable come out first, which keeps the main demolition cleaner and lowers disposal costs.
- 04
Structure demolition
Equipment brings the structure down in a controlled sequence with water on the work face to keep dust down.
- 05
Foundation & haul-off
Slab, footings and flatwork are broken out, loaded and hauled; concrete is taken to a recycler, not a landfill.
- 06
Final grade
The lot is rough-graded and left ready for your surveyor, soils engineer or builder.
Photos
Residential Demolition — recent work
What affects the price
Every estimate we write is based on measurements, not guesses. These are the factors that move the number most for residential demolition:
- Square footage and number of stories
- Foundation type — slab-on-grade vs. raised foundation
- Asbestos or lead abatement required by the survey
- Equipment and truck access (street width, gates, overhead lines)
- Whether pools, block walls, driveways or trees are included
Residential Demolition in Orange County
Many older Orange County neighborhoods sit on narrow streets with parked cars on both sides and mature trees overhead. We schedule truck traffic around school hours and street sweeping, use smaller track equipment where a full-size excavator won’t fit, and place notices with neighbors before work begins.
Find residential demolition near you
FAQ
Residential Demolition questions
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Orange County?
Yes. Every city in Orange County requires a demolition permit for removing a house or other habitable structure, and most require proof of utility disconnects and an asbestos survey before the permit is issued. We coordinate this paperwork as part of the job.
How long does a house demolition take?
The physical demolition of a typical single-family home usually takes a few working days. The full timeline — including the permit, utility disconnects and asbestos survey — is more often several weeks, which is why we recommend calling us as soon as your rebuild plans are underway.
Can you keep the foundation for my new build?
Sometimes. If your engineer wants to reuse part of the existing foundation, we demolish the structure down to it and protect it. We will tell you on the site walk whether that is realistic.
What happens to the debris?
We separate concrete, asphalt, metal and green waste so they can go to recyclers. Mixed debris that cannot be recycled goes to a licensed transfer station. You get a clean lot.
Will you protect my neighbor’s fence and landscaping?
Yes. Protection of adjacent property is part of the scope we write up. Anything at risk is identified on the site walk and either protected in place or discussed with you before work begins.
Related services
Often done together
Garage Demolition
Detached garages and sheds removed — often to make room for an ADU.
Learn moreSelective Demolition
Interior strip-outs for remodels and tenant improvements.
Learn moreConcrete Slab Removal
House pads, garage floors, ADU sites and commercial floor slabs.
Learn moreDebris Hauling
Concrete, dirt, rock and mixed C&D debris loaded and hauled.
Learn moreGet a free residential demolition estimate
Send photos and a few details — we’ll reply within one business day with next steps or a price.