Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Service
Full Residential Teardown
Residential Demolition
in South Florida
House teardowns, slab removal and lot clearing. Permitted and done right since 1992.
Since 1992 License CGC1540779 Fully Insured OSHA Certified Family Owned & Operated
Residential Teardowns
More Than a Machine and a Dump Truck
South Florida Demolition Services provides licensed residential demolition, house teardowns, and lot clearing across Fort Lauderdale and all of South Florida. Since 1992, we have managed the entire teardown process for homeowners and developers—handling utility kills, asbestos surveys, debris hauling, and final grading.
Clearing a residential lot requires navigating strict county permits, working inches from a neighbor's property line, and controlling dust and noise in crowded neighborhoods. Our crews bring the heavy equipment and local experience needed to bring down older homes safely and prepare the dirt for your new build.
Quick Facts
| Average Teardown Time | 1–3 Days |
|---|---|
| Permit Phase Timeline | 3–6 Weeks |
| Final Cleanup & Rough Grade | 1 Day (Included) |
| Permit Management | Handled in-house with local city/county building departments |
| Contractor License | CGC1540779 (Florida Certified General Contractor) |
| Equipment Used | Company-owned excavators and dump trucks (No rentals) |
| Insurance | Admirals Insurance Group (General Liability + Workers' Comp) |
| Service Area | Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Collier, Pinellas, Hillsborough |
| Timelines shown are typical ranges and vary by project scope, site conditions, and municipal processing times. | |
Scope of Work
What We Handle
Complete House Teardowns
-
Single-Family Homes
Full removal of the structure, slab and footings. Clean lot ready for your new crew to break ground.
-
Duplexes & Multi-Unit Buildings
We handle larger residential footprints with the same precision. Every buried footing comes out.
-
Tight-Lot Work
Neighborhoods like Rio Vista, Coral Gables and Boca Raton. We know how to work inches from a neighbor's fence.
Secondary Structure Removal
-
Detached Garages
Cleared down to the slab and footing. No buried obstructions left for your next contractor.
-
Guest Houses & Pool Houses
Full structure and foundation removal. We match the grade to the rest of the lot.
-
Sheds & Outbuildings
Any structure on the property footprint that needs to go. We clear it.
Slab, Foundation & Driveway Removal
-
Concrete Slabs & Footings
Post-tensioned slabs, deep footings, all of it broken and hauled away. Nothing buried.
-
Driveways & Walkways
Asphalt and concrete cleared fast. We don't leave chunks for the next crew to deal with.
-
Final Cleanup & Rough Grade
We clean up the site and rough-grade the dirt so drainage is correct and the lot is ready to build.
How It Works
The Demo Process
Permit Management
We handle the building departments in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and across South Florida. We secure the demo permit so you don't have to learn how that process works.
Utility Coordination
We coordinate the sewer caps, water terminations and electrical disconnects. No equipment moves until the site is safe.
Hazardous Material Check
We guide you through the asbestos surveys required by Florida law before any demolition can begin. No shortcuts.
Structural Removal
We bring down the building, load the debris into our own trucks and haul it to licensed facilities. Nothing stays on your lot.
Site Prep
We finish by grading the lot for proper drainage. Clean, flat and ready for your new build.
Final Inspection
We schedule the final site inspection with the building department to close the permit. You get a clean record. No open permits against the property when you're ready to build.
Why Work With Us
What Sets Us Apart
Family-Owned Since 1992
South Florida Demolition Services is led by Jack, Brendan, and Rebecah O'Connor. We bring over 30 years of direct, hands-on experience to every teardown. As a Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC1540779) with full OSHA certification (26-607271741), our crews operate with a proven safety record in residential neighborhoods.
Company-Owned Heavy Equipment Fleet
We own our excavators, crushers, dump trucks, and loaders. Relying on rental companies causes scheduling delays when machines are unavailable. By operating our own fleet, we control the timeline and deploy the exact right-sized equipment for tight residential lots.
In-House Broward & Miami-Dade Permit Expediting
We do not just file paperwork; we know the specific requirements of building departments across Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach. Our team handles the entire permit process from initial filing to final inspection closure so your new build is not stalled by county red tape.
Field Work
Recent Residential Demo Projects
View All Projects →South Florida Demolition Services has completed residential demo work across Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Collier counties since 1992 — fully licensed under CGC1540779 and insured through Admirals Insurance Group.
Location
Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL
Service
Full Residential Teardown & Pool Removal
Equipment
CAT 328 Excavator
Location
Boca Raton, FL
Service
Two-Story Full Residential Teardown
Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Service
Full Residential Teardown
Common Questions
Residential Demolition FAQ
- How long does a house demolition take in South Florida?
- The teardown itself usually takes 1 to 3 days. The pre-demo phase (permits, utility disconnects and hazardous material surveys) typically runs 3 to 6 weeks depending on the city and county.
- Do you handle the demolition permits?
- Yes. We manage the entire permit process with the city or county building department. We pull the permit, coordinate the required inspections and handle the paperwork so you don't have to.
- How much does it cost to demolish a house in South Florida?
- Every job is different. Size, site access, materials and whether hazardous materials are present all affect the cost. Call us and we can give you a ballpark quote over the phone. Final pricing is confirmed after we see the site or review your plans.
- Do I need to move out during the demolition?
- Yes. The house has to be vacant and all utilities must be disconnected before any equipment moves on site. That's a safety requirement, not optional.
- What happens to the debris?
- We haul it to licensed recycling and disposal facilities. We prioritize recycling concrete, wood and metal to keep material out of Florida landfills where we can.
- Can you demolish a house that is close to a neighbor?
- All the time. Tight lots are standard in South Florida. We use dust suppression and precision machinery to protect neighboring structures and keep the surrounding properties clean throughout the job.
- Are you licensed and insured for residential demolition?
- Yes. We hold Florida Certified General Contractor license CGC1540779 and carry full general liability and workers' compensation insurance through Admirals Insurance Group.
- Do you offer emergency demolition after a storm or fire?
- Yes. We have a rapid response team for emergencies. If a home is deemed unsafe by the city or county following storm or fire damage, we can mobilize quickly across our service area. Call 954-853-4293 any time.
- Do I need an asbestos survey before demolishing a house in Florida?
- Yes. Florida law requires an asbestos survey before any structural demolition can begin. We coordinate the required testing and abatement through licensed partners so your project stays compliant and moves forward safely.
- Does residential demolition include lot grading?
- Yes. Once the structure, slab, and footings are removed, we grade the dirt to match the surrounding property lines. The final result is a clean, flat lot with proper drainage, ready for your foundation crew to break ground.
Where We Work
Serving South Florida and the Tampa Bay Area
Broward County
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hollywood
- Pompano Beach
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
- Lighthouse Point
- Pembroke Pines
- Coral Springs
- Miramar
- Plantation
Miami-Dade County
- Miami
- Coral Gables
- Coconut Grove
- Brickell
- Hialeah
Palm Beach County
- West Palm Beach
- Boca Raton
- Delray Beach
- Boynton Beach
Collier County
- Naples
- Marco Island
- Bonita Springs
Pinellas County
- St. Petersburg
- Clearwater
- Largo
- Dunedin
Hillsborough County
- Tampa
- Brandon
- Plant City
- Riverview
Don't see your city listed? We service all of South Florida. Anywhere south of Orlando. Call us and we'll confirm your area in 60 seconds.
Tearing Down a House in South Florida?
Get an on-site estimate from a licensed crew that has been working residential lots across South Florida since 1992.