By Bruno Venichand, J. Perry & Sons — Florida CGC1540699
Interior demolition costs $4–$9 per sq ft in South Florida, including haul-away, for gutting finishes, non-structural walls, ceilings and cabinetry. Tile floor removal alone is $4–$6 per sq ft, and a full bathroom gut runs $2,750–$4,250. Where the job lands in that range depends on what comes out, how far it travels to the dumpster and whether the building is occupied. This guide from J. Perry & Sons tile removal and demolition breaks down what demolition contractors include and what they should not skip.
Interior demolition cost by scope
| Scope | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| General interior demolition | $4–$9 per sq ft | Finishes, drywall, non-load-bearing partitions, ceilings, cabinets, haul-away |
| Tile floor removal, slab on grade | $4–$6 per sq ft | Tile and thinset to a clean slab |
| Natural stone or thick mud-set floor | $5.50–$8 per sq ft | Heavier bed, slower removal |
| Shower demo to studs and slab | $1,250–$2,000 | Pan, curb, wall tile, backer |
| Full bathroom demo | $2,750–$4,250 | Tile, tub, vanity, toilet, drywall |
| Wood, laminate or LVP removal | $1.50–$2.50 per sq ft | Planks, pad, fasteners |
| Dustless removal upgrade | +$1–$1.50 per sq ft | Vacuum-shrouded tools |
A whole-condo gut of 1,200 sq ft typically falls at $4,800–$10,800 for the general demolition, with tile removal priced on the floor area where it applies.
What moves the price inside the range
- Distance to the dumpster. A ground-floor house with a driveway dumpster is fast. A 14th-floor condo with one service elevator, booked windows and padding requirements is slow.
- Material. Plaster over lath, thick mud-set tile and glued-down wood are slower than drywall and thinset tile.
- Protection. Occupied homes need zip walls, floor protection and negative air. Condos often require hallway and elevator protection.
- Disposal. Dumpster size, number of swaps and county disposal fees.
- Surprises. Old galvanized pipe, abandoned wiring, termite damage or water damage behind walls. We stop, photograph and price before going on.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Send photos and a short list of what should come out and we'll reply with a same-day range.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.
What a demolition contractor should do before the first swing
- Walk the space with the plan. Mark what stays, what goes and what gets salvaged.
- Identify structure. We do not remove load-bearing walls on demolition scope. When a wall may carry load, we do not do engineering; we build to the engineer's drawings and coordinate a licensed engineer when the work needs one.
- Shut off and make safe. Plumbing capped, circuits de-energized by the electrician, gas disconnected by a licensed plumber.
- Test where needed. Popcorn ceilings, old mastic and some joint compounds in older buildings can contain asbestos. Testing comes before disturbance.
- Protect floors, doors and the path out.
- Permits. Demolition that is part of a renovation goes on the renovation permit. We pull it.
Residential vs. commercial interior demolition
Residential demo is usually one unit, one dumpster, one week. Commercial interior demolition (a tenant space returned to shell, a restaurant strip-out, an office floor) brings different rules: after-hours work, COIs naming the landlord, MEP make-safe by the tenant's trades, and phased removal so neighboring tenants stay open. Our commercial demolition services cover that side, priced per sq ft from the drawings.
South Florida factors
- Condo rules. Most buildings limit work hours, noise days and elevator use. Plan around those before you book a start date. Our condo renovation rules checklist covers the common ones.
- Concrete slabs everywhere. Most demo here ends at a slab, which makes tile removal the slowest line. Dustless removal matters in occupied homes.
- Hurricane season. Open dumpsters and loose debris must be secured or removed when a storm is forecast.
- Older buildings. Pre-1980s condos and homes are where asbestos testing matters most.
Timeline for interior demolition
- One bathroom: 1–2 days
- Kitchen: 1–3 days
- Whole condo gut, 1,000–1,500 sq ft: 4–8 working days, depending on elevator access
- Single-family interior gut: 1–2 weeks
Demolition is usually the shortest phase of a renovation. The waiting comes from permits, inspections of what was found, and material lead times for what goes back in.
Demolition and renovation by city
- Commercial renovation in Fort Lauderdale
- Commercial renovation in Miami
- Bathroom renovation in Boca Raton
- Kitchen renovation in Coral Gables
- Kitchen renovation in Aventura
- Bathroom renovation in Delray Beach
- Kitchen renovation in West Palm Beach
Related guides: Tile demolition: what to expect · Dustless tile removal in South Florida · Bathroom demolition cost
Prefer to send photos or plans? Send us your project
Interior demolition cost — FAQ
How much does interior demolition cost per square foot? $4–$9 per sq ft in South Florida, including haul-away. Tile removal to a clean slab is $4–$6 per sq ft and heavier stone floors $5.50–$8.
Do I need a permit for interior demolition? When demolition is part of a renovation, it goes on the renovation permit, which we pull. Condo work also needs association approval before start.
Can you remove a wall during demolition? Non-load-bearing partitions, yes. A load-bearing wall needs an engineer's design first, and we build to those drawings.
Is debris removal included? Yes. Our demolition prices include loading, the dumpster and disposal unless the scope says otherwise.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or send photos and rough dimensions through our project form. A written estimate is typically ready within 24–48 hours after a site review and scope confirmation.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.