1. Why You’re Even Thinking About Doing It Yourself

You’re staring at that old garage, deck, or bathroom wall and thinking, “How hard could it really be to tear it down myself?”

If you live in Chittenden County or anywhere nearby, you’ve probably seen a neighbor or two take on a demo project solo. And let’s face it, the idea of saving money is tempting. The videos online make it look pretty simple: rent a dumpster, grab a sledgehammer, and go to town. But deep down, there’s a little hesitation. What if I hit the wrong thing? What if there’s something dangerous behind the wall? Or worse—what if I start and realize I’m in over my head?

We get it. At Complete Excavation & Septic, based out of Isle La Motte and serving Grand Isle, Franklin, and Chittenden Counties, we’ve talked to plenty of homeowners in this exact situation. You're smart to weigh your options. Because when it comes to demolition, what you don’t know can cost you more than what you were hoping to save.

2. What Demolition Actually Involves (It’s More Than Just Swinging a Hammer)

There’s this idea that demolition is the easy part of any project. That it’s just about tearing stuff down. But here’s what’s usually involved, even in the smallest jobs:

• Permits: Towns like Burlington or South Burlington may require specific permits, even for partial demolition work.
  

• Utility checks: You need to make sure you’re not cutting into electrical lines, water pipes, gas, or sewer.
  

• Disposal: You can’t just throw demo waste in your regular trash. Local transfer stations and CSWD (Chittenden Solid Waste District) have strict rules.
  

• Hazardous materials: Vermiculite insulation, lead paint, or asbestos are still found in many Vermont homes.
  

• Structural awareness: Tearing down a wall without knowing what it supports could be dangerous—or expensive to fix.

So yes, it can be “fun” at first. But real demolition involves planning, safety, and equipment. It’s not just about muscle.

3. The Pros and Cons of DIY Demolition in Chittenden County

Let’s break it down so you can really weigh the decision.

Pros:

• Lower upfront cost (no labor charges)
  

• More control over timeline
  

• Satisfying work—if you enjoy it
  

• Learning experience

Cons:

• Tool rental costs add up (dumpsters, reciprocating saws, PPE)
  

• Risk of injury (falls, cuts, dust inhalation)
  

• Potential code violations
  

• Higher stress if something goes wrong
  

• You’re responsible for cleanup and disposal—no shortcuts

It’s not uncommon for DIY jobs to start strong and end with a call to a professional after something goes sideways.

4. The Real Costs of Hiring a Professional Demolition Contractor Near You

In Chittenden County, you can expect to pay:

• Interior non-structural demolition: $3 to $12 per square foot
  

• Detached garage demo: $2,500–$6,000
  

• Deck or porch demo: $500–$2,000
  

• Full house demo (not including foundation): $10,000–$30,000+

These costs usually include:

• Permit handling
  

• Utility locating services
  

• Labor and equipment
  

• Disposal and hauling fees
  

• Insurance and safety compliance

At Complete Excavation & Septic, we don’t offer cookie-cutter pricing because every job is different. We work with clients to scale to their needs—and sometimes that even means helping with just part of the demolition, not the whole thing.

5. Hidden Dangers: When DIY Can Go Very Wrong

If you’re lucky, DIY demolition ends with a sore back and a full dumpster. But if you’re not? Here are a few stories we’ve seen in our area:

• One homeowner in Colchester hit a sewer line while tearing up a concrete slab. That repair added $3,000 to the project.
  

• Another in Milton found vermiculite insulation behind a wall, which tested positive for asbestos. That turned into a $6,500 remediation job.
  

• A family in South Hero removed a “non-load-bearing” wall—except it was holding up part of the ceiling. Repairs required permits, an engineer, and a licensed carpenter.

These stories aren’t rare. They’re part of why people call us after they start a job and realize it’s more than they bargained for.

6. When Hiring a Pro Is Absolutely Worth It (and Why It Can Save You Money in the Long Run)

Here are a few signs that professional demolition is the smarter move:

• You're not 100% sure what's behind the wall, slab, or structure.
  

• There’s electrical, plumbing, or HVAC nearby.
  

• You don’t own the right safety gear or tools.
  

• You’re on a tight timeline.
  

• You need the debris hauled and disposed of legally.
  

• You’d rather not spend weekends and nights doing manual labor.

Hiring a professional might seem more expensive upfront, but it could prevent mistakes that cost double later.

And when you hire a local team like us, we know the local codes, the soil, the utilities—and even the quirks of different neighborhoods. That knowledge matters.

7. How to Choose the Right Demolition Service in Chittenden County VT

If you’ve decided DIY isn’t the way to go, here’s how to hire the right pro:

Ask These Questions:

• Are you licensed and insured?
  

• Do you handle permits and disposal?
  

• Can I see photos of past work or local references?
  

• How do you price projects—by the hour or square footage?
  

• Do you do partial demolitions, or just full tear-downs?

What to Look For:

• Positive online reviews
  

• Clear contracts and scope of work
  

• Local knowledge (not just a “big name” from out of town)
  

• Willingness to customize the job

At Complete Excavation & Septic, we know you don’t want a one-size-fits-all service. Whether it’s just a concrete pad or a full site prep project, we take the time to understand your goals before starting anything.

8. Conclusion: What’s Really Worth It—DIY or Professional Demolition?

If you’ve got a small job, lots of time, and some decent tools? DIY might work.

But if you value your time, safety, and peace of mind—or if the job involves anything more than just surface-level removal—professional demolition is the safer bet.

Demolition is more than destruction. It’s the start of something new—whether you’re making space for a new garage, a home addition, or just clearing out what no longer serves you. And starting that project the right way means less stress, fewer surprises, and more time for the parts of your project that actually excite you.

From the Team at Complete Excavation & Septic

We’ve been helping homeowners in Grand Isle, Franklin, and Chittenden Counties get demolition done right. We don’t just bring the machines; we bring the experience to help you make smart decisions from day one. If you're not sure where to begin, let’s talk. No pressure. Just honest advice.