House demolition is not a process that is for the faint of heart or the light in the wallet. House demolition can cost upwards of $50,000 and the process of obtaining a permit for demolishing a house can take weeks or months depending upon your municipalities regulations.

But there are some alternatives to house demolition. Or rather some alternative ways to demolish a house that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Fire Department Training

Local fire departments frequently use dilapidated structures, both houses and commercial properties, for live training. These firefighting exercises include interior smoke training and live burning events. In some cases a fire department may complete burn a house or structure to the ground. You will probably be required to obtain an open burn permit and make sure that certain hazardous materials like asbestos shingling are removed prior to the training exercise. The fire department does most of the demolition for you. You may be responsible for disposal of the materials afterwards however.

Habitat for Humanity 

Habit for Humanity sometimes will demolish dilapidated structures in a community. Habit for Humanity salvages and reuses items taken from the home for other projects. Not all Habit for Humanity affiliates do house demolition. Call your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate for more details.