How much does kitchen demolition cost in New Brunswick?

Kitchen demolition in New Brunswick typically costs $1,000-$3,000 for a standard kitchen, covering labour, dumpster rental, and disposal fees. The exact cost depends on your kitchen's size, the materials being removed, and whether any hazardous materials like asbestos are present.

A basic demolition of a standard NB kitchen (removing cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring, and fixtures) runs $1,000-$2,000 when done by a contractor. This includes 1-2 days of labour for a two-person crew and hauling debris to a dumpster. A more complex demolition that involves removing built-in appliances, tearing out walls, or dealing with difficult materials like tile set in mortar over plywood pushes the cost to $2,000-$3,000. If you are doing a full gut renovation that includes removing portions of drywall to access plumbing and electrical, expect the higher end of that range.

Dumpster rental is usually the biggest single cost within demolition. In Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John, a 10-yard dumpster (sufficient for most kitchen demos) costs $350-$600 including delivery, pickup, and disposal fees based on weight. A 20-yard bin runs $500-$800 and is needed only for larger kitchens or when you are gutting a kitchen plus adjacent rooms. Some contractors include dumpster rental in their demolition quote, while others charge it separately, so ask for clarification.

Hazardous material removal is where demolition costs can spike significantly. If your NB home was built before 1990 and has 9"x9" floor tiles, there is a strong chance they contain asbestos. Professional asbestos abatement adds $2,000-$6,000 to your demolition costs, as it requires certified abatement workers, containment with poly sheeting and negative air pressure, HEPA filtration, and proper disposal at an approved facility. Testing before demolition costs just $30-$75 per sample and should always be done in older NB homes. Skipping the test and having your contractor break up asbestos tiles unknowingly creates a health hazard and potential WorkSafeNB violation.

DIY demolition is one area where homeowners can save real money. If you handle the demolition yourself, your main cost is the dumpster rental ($350-$600) plus basic tools like a pry bar, reciprocating saw, and safety equipment (dust mask, safety glasses, work gloves). This can save $500-$1,500 in labour. However, you must shut off water, electrical, and gas to the kitchen before starting, and you should not disconnect gas lines yourself. Leave any suspected hazardous materials for professionals.

When getting quotes from NB kitchen renovation contractors, ask whether demolition and disposal are included in their price or quoted separately. Some contractors prefer to handle demo themselves so they can inspect the condition of walls, subfloor, plumbing, and wiring as they go, catching hidden issues before new materials are installed. Others are happy to let homeowners do the demo to reduce the overall project cost. Either way, make sure the demolition scope and disposal costs are clearly defined in writing before work begins.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations