How much do contractors charge for demolition permit in New Brunswick?

Contractors don't charge for demolition permits in New Brunswick — permit fees are paid directly to the municipality or Regional Service Commission (RSC), and contractors typically include permit costs in their overall project pricing.

Demolition Permit Fees Across New Brunswick

Municipal fees vary significantly across the province. In Moncton, demolition permits typically run $150-$300 depending on the structure size and type. Saint John charges similar rates, while Fredericton's fees range from $100-$250 for residential demolitions. Smaller municipalities like Riverview, Quispamsis, and Dieppe generally charge $100-$200 for standard residential demolition permits.

Rural areas served by Regional Service Commissions often have lower permit fees — typically $75-$150 for residential demolitions. However, processing times can be longer in rural areas, especially during busy construction seasons.

What Contractors Actually Charge

Most demolition contractors include permit costs in their total project quote rather than charging separately. Residential demolition projects typically range from $8,000-$25,000 depending on the home size, foundation type, and site access. A 1,200 square foot bungalow might cost $12,000-$18,000 to demolish, while larger two-story homes can reach $20,000-$30,000+.

Factors affecting demolition costs include asbestos abatement requirements (very common in pre-1980 NB homes), underground oil tank removal, well decommissioning, and septic system abandonment. Each of these specialized services requires separate permits and licensed contractors, adding $2,500-$15,000+ to total project costs.

Required Permits and Inspections

Beyond the basic demolition permit, you'll need utility disconnections coordinated through NB Power (1-800-615-0522), and potentially TIS sewage permits (1-844-249-6533) for septic abandonment. If the home has an underground oil tank, removal requires a licensed environmental contractor and can cost $5,000-$12,000.

Before hiring any contractor, verify they carry WorkSafeNB coverage — demolition work requires coverage for any contractor with 3+ workers. Ask to see their clearance certificate and confirm the permit application is included in their written quote. Most reputable contractors will handle all permit applications as part of their service, but the permit fees themselves are always paid to the government authority, not the contractor.

Contact your local building department or RSC for exact permit fees in your area, as rates are set locally and can change annually.