Demolition in Saudi Arabia
Demolition covers taking down old villas, apartment buildings and annexes in full or in part, removing the debris and levelling the plot. A common form is demolition for scrap, where the contractor keeps the steel and metal from the building in return for a lower fee or no fee at all. People need it before rebuilding on the same plot, to remove a run-down building, or to sell the land empty.
Our pick in each city
| City | Our pick | Phone | Providers listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | شركة بارق العربية المحدودة | 056 077 0309 | 10 |
| Dammam | شركة أمان الاعمار المحدودة | 056 853 5353 | 10 |
| Jeddah | شركة صفوة المقاولين للمقاولات العامة Elite Contractors company | 054 484 4443 | 9 |
| Madinah | – | – | 7 |
| Qatif | مؤسسة عزم الشرقية للمقاولات العامة | 055 455 5287 | 7 |
| Makkah | بخش لتفتيت الصخور REX | 055 570 6190 | 6 |
| Khobar | شركة أمان الاعمار المحدودة | 056 853 5353 | 6 |
| Khamis Mushait | – | – | 6 |
| Taif | ترميم الطائف | 053 913 2137 | 5 |
| Abha | – | – | 5 |
| Jubail | – | – | 5 |
Published prices (2026)
| Job | Unit | Low | Median | High | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demolishing a whole villa | per villa (total) | 6,000 SAR | 19,500 SAR | 55,000 SAR | 5 sources |
| Annex / partial demolition (Riyadh) | per job | 2,000 SAR | 4,000 SAR | 7,000 SAR | 3 sources |
| Full demolition with heavy equipment (haulage extra) (Riyadh) | per m² of built-up area | 15 SAR | 32 SAR | 50 SAR | 2 sources |
| Debris removal | per truck trip | 260 SAR | 390 SAR | 600 SAR | 2 sources |
| Demolition in exchange for the scrap steel (Riyadh) | per building | Usually no fee: the contractor keeps the scrap | 2 sources | ||
| Breaking out and filling a pool | per pool | 3,000 SAR | 5,875 SAR | 8,500 SAR | 2 sources |
What the job includes
- Full demolition of villas, apartment buildings and warehouses
- Partial demolition of an annex, a floor or internal walls
- Demolition for scrap: the contractor keeps the steel and metal in return for a lower fee
- Breaking up and removing footings and foundations
- Removing demolition debris and levelling the plot
- Handling the demolition permit with an approved engineering office
How to choose
Ask and check
- Ask whether they obtain the demolition permit on Balady through an approved engineering office, and who pays the fee.
- Have them inspect the site before pricing, especially for demolition for scrap, since the scrap value sets the offer.
- Get a written contract stating what the job covers: demolition, foundations, debris removal, levelling, and who keeps the scrap.
- Ask where the debris will go, since it falls under the ministry's construction and demolition waste rules.
- Check for a valid commercial registration that lists demolition, and ask how they will protect neighbouring buildings and who pays for any damage.
Warning signs
- Offers to start before the permit is issued, or says no permit is needed.
- Agrees to demolish for scrap, then asks for extra money after taking the steel.
- The quote does not say who removes the debris or where it goes.
- Says nothing about protecting neighbouring buildings and passers-by.
Permits and rules
The demolition permit is issued online on Balady, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing platform, and the fee is charged per m² under the municipal services fees regulation. An engineering office approved by the ministry is required, and the debris falls under the ministry's construction and demolition waste rules. The same applies to demolition for scrap: how the contractor is paid does not change the permit requirements.