Page 32 Fall Home Improvement 2026 Lincoln Daily News What to do when you need an old barn or shed taken down If you have an old barn or shed that is falling apart and poses a safety hazard, it may be time to have the structure demolished. Before finding someone to do the work, figuring out the cost, understanding the demolition process, and knowing how to properly dispose of the debris is vital. You will need to contact someone to get an estimate of the demolition costs, which often depends on the size of the structure. For a smaller barn, the cost could be around $2,500. For a large barn or shed, costs can range anywhere from $7,000 to upwards of $10,000. If there is more than one building being taken down, the cost would be even higher. The ease of accessing the structure can also affect the cost. Since prices may vary between contractors, it is good to get a few estimates to make you sure you get reasonable rates. One local contractor said before he gives someone a cost estimate, he considers the danger factor of getting the building removed. Another consideration is its proximity to nearby buildings. When the structure is close to another building, it may need to be taken down by hand. Since the barn will be dismantled piece by piece, doing it this way will take longer. In the article “Barn Demolition: Easy and Safe Steps to Follow,” Caleb Wells says the first step in the process is to “evaluate the barn’s condition and plan for demolition.” Wells says, “before you begin, thoroughly inspect the barn to assess its structural integrity. Look for leaks, rotting beams, and unstable walls. If the roof is collapsing and the floor is cracked, it’s clear that repairs would be more costly than demolition.” The second step is to remove the barn’s roof and the siding by taking down the panels. An excavator will be used for tearing down the whole structure. As the local contractor says, the hydraulic thumb of the excavator is used to remove the roof and grab the wood siding. After the wood has been removed, it is then crushed into small pieces that will fit into a dumpster. Materials that can be recycled should be set aside in other containers to sort through later. The contractor says due to EPA regulations, wood and other building materials from barns and sheds cannot be burned. Instead, all building materials must be taken to a landfill. The price for disposing of these materials is built into the price of tearing down the building. Around this area, he said it is usually $1,000 per dumpster. In other areas, the costs may be higher. When it is time to clear away the debris from the demolition, there are certain regulations that must be followed. The Environmental Protection Agency says, “Use caution to assure that all waste materials are removed and disposed of properly. Open burning of
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