Residential Demolition in San Francisco, CA
We take down houses in San Francisco. We plan for shared walls, steep lots, and tight streets. We also help with city permits and air district notices. When we finish, your lot is clean and safe.
- Licensed and insured
- Help with city permits and air district notices
- Debris sorted for recycling
- Crews who plan for shared walls
Get Your Free House Demo Estimate
Share your San Francisco house details below—we check shared walls and street access on a free visit and send a written bid.
No obligation • Direct local dispatch: (415) 555-0196
Our Three Services for Houses in San Francisco
We work on houses in three ways. Each way has its own page with more detail. Some jobs need the whole house gone. Others keep part of the house. A few start with a city notice. Pick the service that fits your project. Next, click through to see the steps, the permits, and what to expect.
Whole House Teardown
Some projects need the whole house gone. Owners who plan to rebuild or sell often start here. So do owners with a house that is no longer safe. In San Francisco, removing a home can also need a Planning review. This means that the paperwork may start months before the crew arrives. Our full tear down plan for a whole house covers the job from the first visit to the final grade.
What the plan includes:
- A site visit and a written estimate.
- Help with the permit, the air district notice, and the asbestos survey.
- Utility shutoffs and protection for shared walls.
- Controlled demolition, debris sorting, and hauling.
When we finish, you have a clean, level lot and your recycling papers. Your builder can then start on solid ground.
This service is best for owners who plan to rebuild, sell, or clear a house that is no longer safe. If your house shares a wall with a neighbor, we plan that wall first. We pick small machines and cut in a safe order. Then we protect the neighbor’s side until the work is done.
Partial and Selective Demo
Sometimes only one part of the house must go. This can be an addition, a back room, or one floor. The part that stays needs strong protection. So we plan each cut before we start. Our partial demolition work for additions and remodels makes a clean cut line. A building permit is usually needed for this kind of work.
Be careful with the amount you remove. If too much comes out, the city can treat the job as a full demolition. That brings a Planning review and a longer wait. For this reason, we check the plan with you first.
What the work includes:
- Shoring and cover to protect the part that stays.
- Hand work and small tools near the walls you keep.
- Dust control so the rest of the house stays clean.
- Debris removal and a swept cut line.
Your builder then gets a safe, clean start.
This service is best for owners who plan to add on, open up a floor plan, or remove an old back room. It also suits people who live in the house during the work. We keep the work area closed off. We also tidy the area as we go, so the rest of your home stays usable.
Unpermitted Structure Demo
Some owners have a room, an addition, or a building made without a permit. A city notice or a home sale often brings it to light. This can feel stressful. Our help with removing a structure built without a permit starts with a calm plan. First, we look at the structure and the notice. Next, we help you plan the right permit for the removal. A city notice often sets a deadline, so early action helps.
What the work includes:
- A site visit and a plan for the removal.
- Help with the permit steps for taking the work out.
- Safe removal and cleanup of the structure.
- Clear records of what was removed.
This is general information, not legal advice. Please ask the city or a lawyer about your own case. In the end, you have a safe lot and clear records.
This service is best for owners who got a city notice. It also helps owners who plan to sell and buyers who found work without a permit. In each case, the first step is the same. Learn the facts. Then pick the safest path.
Estimate Your San Francisco House Teardown Cost
Select Residential House or Interior/Selective Demo, set your home’s square footage and shared-wall access, and preview a realistic starting price range before booking your free site walk.
Step 1: Pick Your San Francisco Project Type
Select the structure or surface our crew will remove:
Step 2: Enter Approximate Size & Lot Access
Step 3: Permits, Notices & Debris Recovery
Include San Francisco permit, testing, and slab options:
Step 4: Your Starting Price Range
Starting range based on size and site access. Final price comes after a free on-site visit.
Includes debris sorting for San Francisco recycling rules
How We Take Down a House, Step by Step
Step 1: Free Site Visit and Written Estimate
First, we visit your lot. We look at the size, the access, and the materials. Next, we send a written estimate that lists each cost.
Step 2: Survey, Permits, and Notices
Next, we set up an asbestos survey with you. We also handle the permit and the air district notice. So the paperwork is ready before the crew arrives.
Step 3: Utility Shutoffs and Site Protection
Then the utilities must be shut off. We also protect the street, the sidewalk, and the homes next door.
Step 4: Controlled Demolition and Dust Control
Now the work begins. We take the house down in a safe order. We also keep dust down with water.
Step 5: Sorting, Hauling, and Final Grading
Last, we sort the debris and haul it away. Then we grade the lot so it is clean and level.
Want dates? Read how long each step takes in our house demolition questions below.
Why San Francisco Owners Hire Our Crew
Taking down a house is a big step. You want a crew that is clear, careful, and on time. Here is what you can expect from us. Each point is simple. Each one saves you stress.
We Help With Permits and Notices
Paperwork can slow a job. So we handle the permit steps and the air district notice with you. We also track what the city needs next. This means fewer delays and fewer surprises. You always know which step comes next.
We Plan for Shared Walls
Your neighbor’s wall matters as much as your own. So we plan each cut before we start. Next, we choose machines that fit the lot. We also use hand work near shared walls. This protects the homes around you.
We Know San Francisco Rules
Each city has its own rules. San Francisco has a demolition permit, a Planning review, an air district notice, and a debris plan. Street space matters too. We work with these steps all the time. So we can tell you early what your house will need.
You Get a Clear Written Bid
A good bid lists labor, equipment, hauling, and fees. We explain each line in plain words. Then you can compare bids with ease. If something changes on site, we tell you before we act.
We Keep You Updated
You should not have to chase us for news. So we share the plan, the dates, and any changes. We answer your questions in plain English. Also, we tell you when each step is done.
We Leave a Clean Lot
When the work ends, we sweep and grade the site. Also, you get your recycling papers. Then you can hand the lot to your builder. Your project can move on with no loose ends.
Our Recent Projects
Take a look at recent jobs our crew completed across Northern California.
1. Fire Damaged House Taken Down in Magalia
- Location: Magalia, Butte County
- Service: Fire damage cleanup and structural teardown
- What was removed: Burned framing, curved steel beams, metal siding, and damaged drywall.
- The outcome: Our excavator took the burned house down to bare ground. This left the owner a clean, safe parcel ready to rebuild.
Related service: fire demolition services.
2. Inground Pool Removed in Sacramento
- Location: Sacramento, CA
- Service: Full shell swimming pool and patio removal
- What was removed: Gunite pool shell, rebar, spa wall, and the surrounding concrete patio.
- The outcome: We moved a mini excavator and a loader into the yard. We broke up the full concrete shell and hauled off the rubble. Then we leveled the yard for new grass.
Related service: our pool jobs.
3. Mobile Home Park Demolition
- Location: Northern California
- Service: Manufactured home teardown and tie-down removal
- What was removed: Worn manufactured home framing, insulation, aluminum roof panels, and ground anchors.
- The outcome: Our crew took the structure down section by section with a hydraulic thumb. We loaded the debris straight into our dump trailers. This left a clean pad behind.
Related service: manufactured home jobs.
Other Work on Your Property
Many owners need more than the house gone. You may also have a garage, a pool, or land to prepare. We handle garage and barn removal work, pool removal service, and land clearing and site prep. You can also see all of our San Francisco demolition services on our home page.
San Francisco Permits and Rules Before You Take Down a House
San Francisco has many rules. Here are the main ones. We help you with each step.
Demolition permit.
To take down a whole building, you need a demolition permit from the Department of Building Inspection. For partial work, a building permit is used instead.
Planning review.
Removing a home usually needs a review by the Planning Department. It often means a public hearing, unless an exception applies.
Air district notice.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District needs notice before any demolition. It gives you a J number. The notice is due about 10 business days before work. Buildings with four or fewer homes may use a shorter notice for an extra fee.
Asbestos survey.
A survey must happen before demolition.
Debris plan.
A full building demolition needs a debris recovery plan. It must recycle or reuse at least 75 percent of the debris.
Street space.
A debris box on the street needs a street space permit. A clear sidewalk path must stay open.
Utilities.
PG&E removes the gas and electric service. The sewer line is capped. Someone must call 811 at least two working days before any digging.
Walls left standing.
An engineer must sign off on any wall that stays.
See our San Francisco house demolition questions below for more detail on permits, Section 317 reviews, J numbers, and PG&E power, gas, and sewer shutoff steps.
San Francisco Neighborhoods We Serve
Our crews take down houses and clear lots across all neighborhoods in the City of San Francisco and nearby Bay Area cities. Check your address in our service areas list below. Here are the areas we serve:
Downtown and Northeast San Francisco
Financial District, Union Square, Chinatown, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, North Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf, Embarcadero, SoMa.
Northwest San Francisco and the Richmond
Marina, Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Laurel Heights, Inner Richmond, Outer Richmond, Sea Cliff.
Central San Francisco
Haight-Ashbury, Cole Valley, Alamo Square, Hayes Valley, Western Addition, Japantown, Twin Peaks, Castro, Noe Valley, Glen Park, Diamond Heights.
Southeast San Francisco
Mission District, Bernal Heights, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, Mission Bay, Bayview, Hunters Point, Excelsior, Portola, Visitacion Valley.
Sunset and Southwest San Francisco
Inner Sunset, Outer Sunset, Parkside, West Portal, Forest Hill, Ocean View, Merced Heights, Ingleside, Stonestown.
Nearby Bay Area Cities
Daly City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, San Mateo, Sausalito, Mill Valley, San Rafael, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda.
Questions About Taking Down a House
Do I need a permit to take down a house in San Francisco?
Yes. To take down a whole house, you need a demolition permit from the Department of Building Inspection. If only part of the house comes down, a building permit is used instead. The air district also needs notice first. We handle these steps with you.
What is the Planning Section 317 review?
Section 317 is a city rule that protects homes. Taking out a home usually needs Planning review and often a public hearing. Some projects qualify for an exception. The rule also counts big partial jobs as demolition. That happens when the work removes more than half of the front and back walls. It must also remove more than 65 percent of all outside walls.
What is a J number?
A J number is an ID from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. You get it after you file a demolition notice. It shows that the notice was filed. The person in charge of the work files it. We handle this step with you.
Do I need an asbestos test first?
Yes. A survey must happen before demolition. Older houses are more likely to have asbestos. We set up testing with you. Then we plan the job around the results.
How do you protect the houses next door?
Many houses touch their neighbors. So we plan each step before we start. We use small machines and hand work near shared walls. We also keep dust down with water.
How long does it take to take down a house?
The work on site often takes 1 to 7 days for the house itself. With debris hauling and cleanup, it often takes 1 to 3 weeks. Permits and reviews take longer. They can take months. So start early.
What if part of my house was built without a permit?
First, do not ignore a city notice. These notices usually set a deadline, often about 30 days. Next, you can get a permit to make the work legal, or a permit to remove it. We can help you plan the removal. This is general information, not legal advice.
Who shuts off the power, gas, and sewer?
PG&E removes the gas and electric service. The sewer line must be capped. Also, someone must call 811 at least two working days before any digging. We plan these steps early, because PG&E can take several weeks.
Ready to Take Down Your House in San Francisco?
Tell us about your project. We will visit your lot, check the access, and send a written estimate. Then we help you plan the permits and the dates. Ask for your free estimate today.
- Direct Dispatch: (415) 555-0196
- CSLB License #103982 (C-21 & Class A)
- SF DBI Permits, BAAQMD J-Numbers & 75%+ Recycling
Request Your Free Written Estimate
Share your San Francisco or Bay Area property details below and we will schedule your free on-site walk.