HomeGuide's national averages are $100 to $400 to take out a stump and $6,000 to $25,000 to knock down a house. In New Orleans, demolition has several city steps, and old lots often hide slabs, cisterns and brick.
Prices here are HomeGuide's published national ranges, not quotes from our company. In New Orleans, groundwater, soft soil, narrow streets, buried debris and the trip to the dump site move the real cost. Checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to remove tree stumps?
HomeGuide's average to remove stumps is $100 to $400 each. Grinding runs $2 to $6 per inch across, with $80 to $160 minimums, and pulling a stump with a backhoe costs $80 to $190, with a backhoe minimum of $150 to $350.
Should I grind the stumps or dig them out?
Where grass will grow, grinding is enough; where a slab or drive will sit, the stump has to come out. A ground stump leaves roots to rot, which leaves soft spots under a slab or drive. On already soft New Orleans soil, that is one more reason to remove stumps fully under any structure.
What about 20 stumps after a storm, or one huge oak stump?
After a hurricane takes down many trees, doing all the stumps at once saves money: HomeGuide lists the first stump at $120 to $400 and each added one at $30 to $60. A huge stump, like an old live oak, costs $300 to $800 to grind.
Can I burn or bury brush instead of hauling it?
Open burning is restricted in New Orleans and many parishes, so check your local rules and any burn bans before planning it. Burying brush is a bad idea anywhere you will build, because it rots and the ground sinks, which is already a problem here. Chipping, mulching or hauling are the safe choices.
Can an excavator remove buried concrete or large rocks?
Yes. Old slabs, foundations, cisterns, brick and buried concrete are common under New Orleans lots, and an excavator with a breaker takes them out. HomeGuide lists rock and debris removal at $50 to $200 per cubic yard kept on site and $220 to $250 per cubic yard hauled away. Natural boulders do not occur here.
How much does it cost to tear down a shed or old garage?
To tear down a detached garage or a similar outbuilding, HomeGuide lists $1,000 to $5,000, including debris removal. Power, water and gas to the building have to be disconnected first, and in historic districts even small buildings can need review.
How much does it cost to demolish a house in New Orleans?
To demolish a house costs $4 to $10 per square foot, or $6,000 to $25,000 for most, on HomeGuide's national figures, and up to $25 per square foot with asbestos or lead. In New Orleans, the city's demolition guidelines require utility disconnects, a licensed plumber to seal sewer and water, a rodent inspection, and historic or conservation district review where it applies.
| Structure | HomeGuide national range |
|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft house | $6,000 to $15,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft house | $8,000 to $20,000 |
| Detached garage | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| Demolition permit | $100 to $450 |
Want a number for your own lot? We come by, look at the ground and the drainage, and send a written quote. Call or text (504) 608-4795.