Old barns falling apart? Dilapidated outbuildings becoming safety hazards? House that needs to come down? SOKY Elite Contractors provides complete demolition services for residential and agricultural structures. We tear down, haul away, and leave your property clean and ready for its next use.
Services We Provide
Barn Demolition Safe removal of old barns and agricultural structures:
- Wood frame barns
- Metal-sided barns
- Combination structures
- Salvageable material separation
- Complete debris removal
- Foundation removal if needed
House & Building Demolition Residential and outbuilding tear-down:
- Older homes beyond repair
- Mobile homes and manufactured housing
- Garages and workshops
- Sheds and storage buildings
- Chicken houses and livestock buildings
- Any structure removal
Concrete Removal Breaking and hauling concrete structures:
- Old foundations and slabs
- Deteriorated driveways and patios
- Equipment pads
- Retaining walls
- Sidewalks and aprons
Site Cleanup & Restoration Making your property usable again:
- Complete debris removal and haul-off
- Foundation removal or burial
- Grading and leveling
- Topsoil replacement
- Seeding or hydroseeding
- Ready for building or planting
Partial Demolition Selective removal work:
- Remove additions while keeping main structure
- Interior gutting and cleanup
- Roof removal
- Remove damaged sections only
Salvage & Reclamation Material recovery when requested:
- Separate salvageable lumber
- Reclaim metal roofing and siding
- Save specific architectural elements
- You keep what you want, we haul the rest
Why Property Owners Need Demolition
Safety Concerns
- Collapsing structures are liability hazards
- Rotted floors and roofs dangerous to walk on
- Old buildings attract trespassers
- Falling debris and materials
Property Improvement
- Remove eyesores that hurt property value
- Clear space for new construction
- Open up views and usable land
- Create clean slate for development
Storm Damage
- Tornado or wind-damaged structures
- Buildings beyond economical repair
- Insurance claim situations
- Emergency removal needed
Estate Cleanup
- Inherited property with old buildings
- Multiple deteriorating structures
- Property sale preparation
- Making land marketable
Development & Renovation
- Tear down to rebuild
- Remove old to make way for new
- Site preparation for new construction
- Land clearing for agriculture
Our Demolition Process
Step 1: Site Assessment We visit your property to evaluate:
- Structure type, size, and condition
- Access for equipment
- Utilities that need disconnection
- Hazardous materials present (asbestos, etc.)
- Debris volume and disposal requirements
- Salvage material value
Step 2: Planning & Permits
- Obtain required demolition permits
- Arrange utility disconnections (electric, gas, water, septic)
- Develop demolition plan and timeline
- Identify disposal facilities for different materials
Step 3: Preparation
- Mark property boundaries
- Identify and flag items to preserve
- Establish equipment access routes
- Set up safety perimeter if needed
Step 4: Demolition
- Systematic tear-down from top down
- Separate salvageable materials if requested
- Load debris for hauul-off
- Minimize dust and debris spread
Step 5: Cleanup & Restoration
- Complete debris removal
- Foundation removal or burial (per your preference)
- Grade and level site
- Final cleanup and inspection
- Property left ready for next use
Equipment & Capabilities
Excavators Primary demolition equipment:
- Tear down walls and structures
- Break and load concrete
- Precision demolition around items to save
- Multiple sizes for different structure types
Skid Steers & Track Loaders Material handling and cleanup:
- Load trucks efficiently
- Clean up scattered debris
- Grade and level after removal
- Access tight areas
Dump Trucks Material hauling:
- Multiple loads as needed
- Direct to landfill or recycling facilities
- Metal recycling when possible
Hydraulic Breakers Concrete and masonry demolition:
- Foundation breaking
- Concrete slab removal
- Chimney demolition
- Hard material breaking
What We Handle
Structure Types:
- Single-family homes (1-3 stories)
- Mobile homes and trailers
- Barns and agricultural buildings
- Garages and shops
- Sheds and outbuildings
- Chicken houses and livestock buildings
- Commercial buildings (case-by-case)
Materials We Remove:
- Wood frame construction
- Metal roofing and siding
- Concrete and block foundations
- Asphalt shingles
- General construction debris
- Appliances and fixtures (non-hazardous)
What We DON'T Handle:
- Asbestos abatement (requires certified contractor)
- Underground fuel tanks
- Hazardous waste
- PCB-containing materials
- Lead paint abatement in commercial buildings
Note: We can coordinate with specialists for hazardous material removal prior to our demolition work
Demolition Pricing
Demolition costs vary widely based on structure size, materials, access, and disposal requirements. General ranges:
Small Structures:
- Sheds and small outbuildings: $500-$2,000
- Single-car garages: $2,000-$4,000
- Small barns (under 1,000 sq ft): $2,000-$5,000
Medium Structures:
- Two-car garages: $3,000-$6,000
- Medium barns (1,000-2,500 sq ft): $5,000-$12,000
- Mobile homes: $3,000-$8,000
- Small houses (under 1,500 sq ft): $8,000-$15,000
Large Structures:
- Large barns (2,500+ sq ft): $12,000-$25,000+
- Houses (1,500-2,500 sq ft): $12,000-$20,000
- Houses (2,500+ sq ft): $20,000-$35,000+
Factors That Affect Cost:
- Structure size (square footage and height)
- Foundation type and removal requirements
- Material types (wood vs concrete vs metal)
- Presence of basement
- Access for equipment
- Distance to disposal facilities
- Salvage material value (can offset cost)
- Utilities disconnection complexity
- Permit requirements
What's Included:
- Complete tear-down
- All debris haul-off and disposal
- Foundation removal or burial
- Basic site grading
- Permits (in our service area)
- Utility disconnection coordination
Additional Services:
- Grading and seeding: $1,500-$4,000
- Concrete crushing and recycling: Variable
- Salvage material separation: Usually included
- Rush/emergency service: Additional fees may apply
We provide detailed written quotes after site visit.
Salvage & Material Recovery
What Can Be Salvaged?
Many demolition projects have valuable materials:
Lumber:
- Barn wood and reclaimed timber
- Dimensional lumber in good condition
- Beams and posts
- Flooring
Metal:
- Metal roofing (if reusable)
- Steel siding
- I-beams and structural steel
- Scrap metal (we recycle)
Architectural Elements:
- Doors and windows
- Cabinets and built-ins
- Mantels and trim
- Brick and stone
Equipment & Fixtures:
- Appliances
- Plumbing fixtures
- Light fixtures
- HVAC equipment (if functional)
How Salvage Affects Cost:
If you want to keep salvaged materials, we can:
- Set aside items you specify
- Separate materials carefully
- Stack lumber for your use
- May add time/cost for careful removal
If we can sell salvage (barn wood, metal):
- Can sometimes offset demolition cost
- Depends on material quality and market
- We discuss options upfront
Scrap metal recycling typically included (we handle and keep proceeds to offset our costs)
Environmental Responsibility
Material Recycling: We recycle when possible:
- Metal to scrap yards
- Concrete crushing for base material
- Wood to biomass facilities when feasible
- Cardboard and packaging
Landfill Minimization: Goal is to divert recyclable material from landfills while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Proper Disposal:All non-recyclable debris disposed at licensed facilities. We maintain records for your peace of mind.
Safety & Liability
Fully Insured: General liability and workers compensation insurance protects you and our crew.
Safety First Approach:
- Established safety perimeter
- Proper personal protective equipment
- Controlled demolition methods
- Dust control measures
- Public safety considerations
Utility Safety:
- All utilities properly disconnected before demolition
- Underground utility location (call 811)
- Propane tanks removed by qualified technicians
- Septic systems handled appropriately
Permit Requirements
When Permits Are Needed:
Most demolitions require permits:
- Residential buildings in city limits
- Commercial structures
- Buildings connected to public utilities
- Structures over certain square footage
When Permits May Not Be Needed:
- Small agricultural buildings in unincorporated areas
- Sheds under specific size thresholds
- Some rural properties (varies by county)
We Handle Permits:For projects in our service area, we:
- Determine permit requirements
- Submit applications
- Pay permit fees (included in quote)
- Coordinate inspections
Timeline & Scheduling
Typical Project Duration:
- Small sheds/outbuildings: 1 day
- Garages: 1-2 days
- Mobile homes: 1-2 days
- Small to medium barns: 2-4 days
- Houses: 3-7 days depending on size
- Large barns or complex projects: 1-2 weeks
Process Timeline:
- Site assessment & quote: 1-3 days
- Permitting (if required): 1-2 weeks
- Utility disconnections: 1-2 weeks
- Actual demolition: Per above
- Final cleanup: 1-2 days
Scheduling Considerations:
- Weather (we work year-round but heavy rain delays work)
- Ground conditions (wet periods complicate equipment access)
- Permit processing time
- Utility company schedules
- Your timing needs
We schedule demolitions to fit your timeline and project needs.
Common Questions
Do I need to empty the building first? Yes, personal property and contents should be removed before demolition. We demolish the structure itself, not remove household goods or contents.
What about my septic system? Options include: leave in place and abandon properly, pump and fill, or complete removal. We discuss options and handle appropriately. Septic abandonment may require permits.
Can you demolish a building with a basement? Yes. We can remove the foundation completely or break it up and bury it on-site (if allowed and property size permits).
What if there's asbestos? Pre-1980s buildings may contain asbestos in siding, roofing, or insulation. If suspected, testing is required. Asbestos must be abated by certified contractors before we demolish. We can coordinate this.
How far from property lines do you work? We can demolish buildings of any setback, but closer to property lines requires more care and may affect cost.
Will demolition damage my yard? Heavy equipment will create ruts, especially in wet conditions. We can repair, re-grade, and seed as part of the project. Final restoration to your specifications.
Can you save specific parts of a building? Often yes - we can carefully remove and save specific elements like doors, windows, mantels, or beams. Discuss requirements upfront as it affects timeline and cost.
What happens to the foundation? Three options:
- Remove completely and haul away
- Break up and bury on-site (most common for rural properties)
- Leave intact (rare, but possible for future use)
Do you offer emergency demolition? Yes, for storm-damaged or dangerous structures we can prioritize scheduling. Additional fees may apply for rush service.
Can I do some of the tear-down myself? You can remove contents, salvage materials, or do partial work before we arrive. Can reduce cost. We'll assess what remains and quote accordingly.
Why Choose SOKY Elite for Demolition
Equipment Advantage We own excavators, loaders, and trucks - no rental delays or extra costs passed to you.
Complete Service We handle everything: permits, utilities, tear-down, haul-off, cleanup, and site restoration. One company, one point of contact.
Experience We understand structures, foundations, and rural property considerations. We've demolished everything from small sheds to large barns and houses.
Fair Pricing Transparent quotes with all costs included. No hidden fees or surprise charges.
Clean Jobsites We take pride in leaving your property clean and ready for its next chapter. Complete debris removal, proper grading, thorough cleanup.
Local & Responsive Based in Bowling Green, serving south central Kentucky. We return calls promptly and show up as scheduled.
Demolition + New Construction
Turn-Key Property Transformation
Many customers use our demolition services as step one of larger projects:
Tear Down & Rebuild:
- Demolish old house or barn
- Clear and grade site
- Build new pole barn, shop, or structure
- One contractor, seamless process
Site Cleanup + Development:
- Remove multiple old buildings
- Clear and grade entire property
- Install new driveway
- Prepare for new construction
Replace & Upgrade:
- Demolish failing septic system
- Install new compliant system
- Restore landscaping
We can provide comprehensive quotes covering demolition through new construction.
Project Examples
Old Barn Removal
- Structure: 40' x 60' tobacco barn, partially collapsed
- Work: Complete demolition, foundation removal, site grading
- Timeline: 4 days
- Cost: $8,500
Mobile Home Removal
- Structure: 14' x 70' single-wide on property
- Work: Tear-down, haul-off, block foundation removal
- Timeline: 2 days
- Cost: $4,200
House Demolition & Site Prep
- Structure: 1,800 sq ft ranch house with basement
- Work: Full demolition, basement fill, grade and seed
- Timeline: 6 days
- Cost: $18,000
Multiple Outbuilding Cleanup
- Structures: 3 sheds, old garage, chicken house
- Work: Demolish all, complete debris removal, level sites
- Timeline: 3 days
- Cost: $5,800
Actual costs vary by specific project conditions - examples for reference only
Service Area
SOKY Elite Contractors provides demolition services throughout south central Kentucky:
Primary Service Area:
- Warren County
- Barren County
- Allen County
- Simpson County
- Butler County
- Edmonson County
- Hart County
Serving:
- Bowling Green and surrounding areas
- Glasgow
- Scottsville
- Franklin
- Cave City
- Horse Cave
- Rural communities throughout the region
We'll travel further for larger projects - contact us to discuss your location.
Why Demolition Matters
Old, deteriorating structures on your property:
- Reduce property value - appraisers and buyers see liabilities
- Create safety hazards - collapsing buildings injure people and livestock
- Attract pests and trespassers - rodents, snakes, and unwanted visitors
- Waste usable space - land tied up by unusable structures
- Cause legal liability - you're responsible if someone gets hurt
Professional demolition solves all these problems and creates a clean slate for your property's future.