Demolition & Debris Removal in Pittsburgh, PA

Demolition and debris removal covers taking down structures you do not want and leaving clean ground behind. In and around Pittsburgh that usually means a failing detached garage cut into a hillside, an old deck hanging off a slope, an unused in-ground pool, a crumbling concrete driveway or walk, or a shed that has rotted out. We take it apart, sort what can be recycled, haul the rest and restore the grade.

Hillside garages

Many older Pittsburgh homes have garages built into the slope, with the back wall acting as a retaining wall. Removing one can leave a cut face that needs support. We look at what the garage is holding back before we tear it down and plan a wall, regrading or backfill so the hill does not move once the garage is gone.

Decks and porches on slopes

Decks on hillside lots often sit on tall posts with footings in the slope. Removing them means taking out the footings without leaving holes that collect water. HomeAdvisor lists deck demolition at $5 to $15 per square foot.

Pools

In-ground pools can be partially removed and filled or fully removed. Either way the fill has to be placed and compacted in lifts. On sloped lots, we also check where the pool's water and the yard's drainage will go after it is filled.

Concrete and asphalt

Old driveways, walks and slabs are broken out and usually recycled. HomeAdvisor puts driveway demolition at $1 to $2 per square foot.

Permits and utilities

Building demolition usually needs a municipal permit, and utilities have to be disconnected first. HomeAdvisor lists permits at roughly $100 to $500 and debris cleanup and disposal at $300 to $1,800. Older buildings may contain asbestos, which must be tested and removed by a licensed abatement firm before demolition.

Restoring the ground

After demolition, holes from footings, slabs and pools are filled with suitable material and compacted in lifts. On slopes, the finished grade is shaped so water runs off without eroding. We leave the area ready for seed, a new structure or whatever you have planned.