Demolition comparison
Demolition Contractor vs General Contractor
Should you hire a demolition contractor or let your general contractor handle the teardown?
Many rebuild projects start with a general contractor who then subcontracts the demolition. Hiring the demolition side directly can give you more control over scope, schedule and what the lot looks like when the builder arrives.
Hire a demolition contractor directly
Best for:
- You want the lot cleared before you pick a builder
- You're selling the lot or the house is condemned
- You want a separate written demolition scope
Let the general contractor handle it
Best for:
- The builder is already under contract
- You want one contract for everything
- The builder has a demolition crew they trust
| Hire a demolition contractor directly | Let the general contractor handle it | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pulls the demolition permit | The demolition contractor | The GC or their subcontractor |
| Who you talk to | The crew doing the work | The GC, who passes it along |
| Markup | None added by a middleman | GCs often add a markup on subcontracted work |
| Scheduling | Can be done before a builder is chosen | Tied to the builder's schedule |
Our take
If your builder isn't chosen yet, or you want a clean lot first, hiring demolition directly is usually simpler. If the builder is already signed, ask whether demolition is subcontracted and who holds the permit. We also work as the demolition subcontractor for general contractors.
Questions
Can you work under my general contractor?
Yes. We take on demolition scope for general contractors under written terms.
Does the demolition permit transfer to the builder?
Demolition and new-construction permits are usually separate. Your building department decides what each covers.
See the service page, what we demolish or all comparisons. We handle the permit and are licensed, insured and bonded.