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Residential Demolition in Central New York

House, garage, pool, barn, and outbuilding demolition across CNY. Asbestos abatement self-performed. Permits handled. Bonded and insured.


Residential demolition projects — from a 1,200 sf bungalow being torn down for a new build, to a detached garage cleanup, to a swimming pool removal — are Backwell's bread and butter. All work self-performed, including asbestos abatement (NYS DOL licensed), with one contractor responsible from permit through site restoration.

Call (315) 400-2654 for a free written estimate. Free site visits across Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Oneida, Cayuga, Cortland, Wayne, and Jefferson counties.

Residential Demolition Services

House Demolition

Whole-house teardown for:

Typical timeline: 1–3 weeks including pre-demo asbestos abatement, permit acquisition, demolition, foundation removal, backfill, and site restoration.

Typical cost: $9,000–$28,000 depending on size, age (asbestos), foundation type, and site restoration scope.

Garage Demolition

Detached and attached garages — wood frame, concrete block, masonry. Cost: $2,500–$6,500 for typical 1- or 2-car detached garages. Attached garages handled as part of whole-house or as standalone with structural separation work.

Swimming Pool Removal

Two removal methods:

Barn & Outbuilding Demolition

Pole barns, traditional barns, silos, sheds, agricultural outbuildings. Cost: $4,000–$12,000 for typical residential-scale structures. Agricultural disposal coordinated for hay, manure, and equipment.

Concrete Demolition

Driveways, walkways, patios, retaining walls, foundations. Cost: $3–$8 per square foot for typical residential concrete.

Mobile Home / Trailer Removal

Removal of single-wide and double-wide mobile homes for redevelopment. Cost: $4,500–$9,000.

Deck, Porch & Hardscape Removal

Wood decks, screened porches, gazebos, brick patios. Quoted by scope.

Underground Oil Tank Removal

Residential heating oil tanks (typically 275-gallon basement tanks or 500-1,000 gallon underground tanks). Cost: $1,500–$4,500 for typical removal. Petroleum-contaminated soil remediation, if encountered, coordinated with environmental specialists.

Why Backwell for Residential Demolition

Asbestos Abatement Self-Performed

Most residential demolition contractors in CNY subcontract asbestos abatement to a separate firm. Backwell holds NYS Department of Labor asbestos handler and contractor licenses and performs abatement in-house. For a typical pre-1980 home with asbestos floor tile, pipe insulation, and possibly siding, this saves homeowners the cost of two separate contractors and weeks of coordination.

Owner-Operated

Ron Starusnak owns and operates Backwell. Phone calls answered directly: (315) 400-2654.

Equipment for Any Site

Bonded, Insured, Licensed

Same-Week Site Visits

Site visits scheduled within 5 business days. Free written estimates.

Federal Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

For homeowners with federally-funded demolition (HUD, USDA Rural Development, FEMA disaster recovery), Backwell's WOSB designation may help projects with set-aside requirements.

Permits & Pre-Demolition Requirements

Every residential demolition in NY requires:

Backwell handles all of these as part of standard scope.

Counties & Cities for Residential Demolition

We serve the same eight-county Central NY region for residential demolition as for our other services:

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to demolish a house in Central NY?

$9,000–$18,000 for a single-story 1,200–1,800 sf home. $14,000–$28,000 for a two-story home. Add $5,000–$30,000+ for asbestos abatement.

Do I need to test for asbestos before demolishing my house?

Yes. NYS DOL requires testing of suspect materials before any demolition disturbance for buildings constructed before 1980. Backwell performs the testing and the abatement in-house if asbestos is confirmed.

How long does residential demolition take?

1–3 weeks for a typical house including asbestos abatement, demolition, foundation removal, backfill, and restoration. Without asbestos, 3–7 days. Garage demolition: 1–3 days. Pool removal: 2–5 days.

Will demolition damage my landscaping or driveway?

We work hard to minimize collateral damage, but heavy equipment access and debris handling will affect the immediate work area. Site restoration (topsoil, seed) is included in our standard scope. Driveway / hardscape damage beyond the demo site is quoted separately.

Can you demolish a house with the foundation only (saving the foundation)?

Yes. Selective demolition keeping the foundation for new construction is common. We coordinate carefully to avoid foundation damage during structural removal.

What if my house has lead paint?

NYS requires lead testing on pre-1978 buildings. If lead is present, certified containment is required during demolition. We coordinate with licensed lead abatement firms when needed.

Do you handle the utility disconnections?

We coordinate utility disconnections (gas, electric, water, sewer/septic) with the local utilities and the building department. Property owner usually has to call utilities to schedule the disconnect; Backwell coordinates timing.

Can you remove the foundation along with the house?

Yes. Standard scope. Foundation excavation and removal below grade is part of typical demolition. Site backfilled with clean fill to match surrounding grade.

Do you handle septic system abandonment when demolishing a rural home?

Yes. Old septic systems are abandoned per NYSDOH requirements (pumping, crushing/filling tank, marking). Coordinated with county health department.

Are the materials recycled?

Where possible. Steel and concrete are recycled. Clean wood is salvaged or chipped for mulch. Mixed C&D debris is hauled to licensed Construction & Demolition recycling facilities, where additional sorting recovers more recyclable material.


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After Backwell completes site work on a commercial development or multi-family project, owners often need property management. RenPro Commercial Property Management is our sister company in Syracuse handling office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use buildings. Property managers can also try our software at RenPro.com. See our full network.