Demolition cost estimates

[fotomada]

I am a planning/law student working on a real estate development project. Can anyone point me to estimates for demolition costs? If not, does anyone have a "rule of thumb" estimate that I can plug into my spreadsheet. I don't need incredible precision here; any good estimate will do.

If it helps, my site is a 3-storey vocational school, built in the late 60's and early 70's in an urban neighborhood in Cleveland. The materials are brick and metal. The total floor space is about 200,000 sq. ft. (including all 3 storeys).

[Cardinal]

There are too may variables to give you a good answer. Are there environmental issues? Asbestos? What are you intending to do with the debris? Can any portion of the foundations remain or will you require everything to be removed? Is there anything salvagable that might have value and offset the costs? What is the construction method? Does demolition include removal of asphalt or just the building? Is site restoration part of the project?

I have bid similarly-sized buildings and found a range from $50,000 (unqualified) to over $300,000.

[noottamevas]

I agree with Cardinal, to many variables. Around here, free standing, 2-story buildings are being demolished for about $10/square foot (footprint area, not floor area) plus asbestos abatement.

[Tobinn]

Try getting your hands on a copy of the latest edition of RSMeans Site Work and Landscape Cost Data