Commercial – Residential – Public works
Demolition and Site Clearing in Orange County
Buildings down, foundations and paving out, the lot cleared, grubbed and fenced. SoCal Removal takes Orange County sites from standing structures to a clean lot ready for grading or the next build.
- CSLB #980451
- A, B, C-21, HAZ
- DIR 1000040690
- Based in Santa Ana
Scope
What demolition and site clearing covers
One crew and one schedule for everything between a standing structure and a clear lot.
01
Structure demolition
Houses, garages, ADUs, sheds and commercial buildings, taken down to the slab or to dirt, sorted and hauled.
02
Foundations, slabs and paving
Footings, slabs, driveways, parking lots, curbs and block walls broken out and sent to concrete and asphalt recyclers.
03
Trees, brush and grubbing
Clearing and grubbing, tree and stump removal, and weed abatement for fire clearance or city notices.
04
Debris and dumping cleanup
Accumulated rubbish, illegally dumped material and fire debris removed and disposed of, with tickets for the record.
05
Below-grade features
Pools, basements, septic tanks and abandoned lines removed or abandoned the way the city requires, after DigAlert.
06
Fencing and site controls
Temporary fence, silt fence, inlet protection and a stabilized entrance so the site stays secure and passes inspection.
Commercial and Residential
Commercial sites and residential lots
The work is the same; the paperwork, scale and pricing basis are not.
Commercial and industrial sites
Retail buildings, offices, warehouses, tilt-ups and industrial structures, often with abatement first and paving, utilities and site work after. Buildings are priced as a lump sum from plans or a site walk, because construction type, height, foundations and haul distance move the price more than floor area does.
Residential lots and teardowns
Houses, garages, ADUs and accessory structures for rebuilds, lot splits and sales. Our published 2026 price is $26.50–$31.50 per square foot of floor area to collapse and remove with the slab left, and $42–$51 per square foot to take it to dirt.
Before Anything Comes Down
What has to happen before demolition starts
Most demolition start dates are set by these steps, not by the crew. The proposal says who handles each one.
- Asbestos survey and air district noticeEvery demolition in the South Coast basin needs an asbestos survey and a Rule 1403 notice about ten working days before work starts, even when the survey comes back clean.
- Demolition permitThe city issues the demolition permit, often with a sewer cap inspection, dust and stormwater conditions, and a final inspection.
- Utility disconnectsGas, electric and water are disconnected by the utilities, and the sewer lateral is capped where the city requires. Cal/OSHA requires utilities to be shut off, capped or otherwise controlled before demolition.
- Engineering surveyA qualified person surveys the structure and any adjacent structure before work starts, and the written survey stays on site.
- DigAlertExcavators notify DigAlert at least two working days before digging, after marking the dig area in white.
Abatement comes first
When the survey finds asbestos, lead or other regulated materials, that work is completed and cleared before the structure comes down. All asbestos abatement, whatever the size, is performed by a Cal/OSHA-registered asbestos abatement contractor under subcontract to SoCal Removal.
Project Sequence
How a site clearing project moves forward
- 01Site walk, plans and photos
- 02Asbestos survey, permit and AQMD notice
- 03Utility disconnects and DigAlert
- 04Fencing, dust and stormwater controls
- 05Demolition, sorting and recycling
- 06Foundations, paving and grubbing out
- 07Clean-up, rough grade and turnover
Pricing
What demolition and site clearing cost
Our published 2026 prices, the same in every Southern California county we serve. Jobs start at the $3,750 minimum.
- House, garage or ADU, collapse and remove (slab left): $26.50–$31.50 per square foot
- Full demolition to dirt: $42–$51 per square foot
- Concrete slab, 4 in.: $8.75–$10.50 per square foot ($6–$7.25 at 5,000 SF and up)
- Asphalt, 4 in.: $7.25–$8.50 per square foot ($3.70–$4.75 at 5,000 SF and up)
- Debris removal: $135–$160 per cubic yard
- Clearing and grubbing: $22,000–$26,250 per acre
- Weed abatement: $1,775–$2,100 per acre
- Temporary fence, 6 ft chain link: $21–$25 per linear foot
Not included
Permits and other government fees, the asbestos survey and testing, engineering, and utility disconnects by the utilities. Commercial and industrial buildings are priced as a lump sum from plans.
Project Proof
Orange County demolition and clearing projects
Commercial and industrial site, Anaheim
About 10,500 square feet of structures removed from a former commercial and industrial flex property for the City of Anaheim.
Former retail building, Mission Viejo
Pre-demolition abatement, demolition of the block building and clearing of the work area ahead of redevelopment.
Property cleanup and fencing, Orange County
Accumulated rubbish and illegally dumped material cleared, then chain-link perimeter fencing with locking access.
Also see the Yorba Linda Town Center demolition and site clearing and the Orange Coast College recycling center demolition.
Service Area
Orange County cities we serve
Based in Santa Ana, we work across Orange County. City pages cover local permit and project notes.
Anaheim · Costa Mesa · Dana Point · Huntington Beach · Irvine · Laguna Beach · Mission Viejo · Newport Beach · Orange · San Clemente · Santa Ana · Tustin
Site Clearing Questions
Demolition and site clearing FAQs
How much does demolition cost in Orange County?
Our published 2026 price for a house, garage or ADU is $26.50–$31.50 per square foot of floor area with the slab left, and $42–$51 to take it to dirt. Commercial buildings are priced as a lump sum from plans. Jobs start at $3,750.
Do I need an asbestos survey to demolish a building?
Yes. Every demolition in the South Coast basin needs an asbestos survey and a Rule 1403 notice about ten working days before work starts, whatever year the building was built.
Who handles the permit and utility disconnects?
The proposal assigns responsibility. Utilities disconnect their own services, the city issues the permit and inspections, and we arrange the steps assigned to us. Agencies control their timelines.
Can you clear a lot for a city weed abatement notice?
Yes. Call early, because those deadlines are hard to extend. Weed abatement and brush cutting runs $1,775–$2,100 per acre.
Do you recycle concrete and asphalt?
Yes. Concrete, asphalt and metals are separated and sent to recyclers where they are accepted, and disposal tickets are kept for the project record.
How long does demolition and clearing take?
The asbestos survey, permit and notice period usually take longer than the demolition itself. Field time depends on the structures, foundations, access and haul distance, and the proposal includes the schedule.
What do you need for a quote?
The address, photos, what needs to come out and what stays, any plans or surveys, the target schedule, and whether it is public or private work.
Get a Quote
Send us your site clearing project
Start with the address, what needs to be removed and your target schedule. Add photos, plans and any surveys. We will review the scope and identify what is needed for a defined proposal, including whether a site walk is needed.
Prefer to speak directly?
Call (949) 446-0000
Get a Quote
Use our project review form to share the site, scope and photos. Your information helps us prepare the next step.