On HomeGuide's national numbers, a stump typically costs $100 to $400 to remove, and tearing down a house $6,000 to $25,000. In Pittsburgh, old retaining walls and hillside garages are common teardown jobs.
Prices on this page are national ranges from HomeGuide, not quotes from us. On Pittsburgh lots, the slope, the rock, the access up the street and the distance to the dump change the real number. Figures checked October 2026.
How much does stump removal cost in Pittsburgh?
Nationally, stump removal costs $100 to $400 per stump on average, per HomeGuide. Grinding is $2 to $6 per inch, minimums $80 to $160. Pulling with a backhoe is $80 to $190 each, minimum $150 to $350.
Grind the stumps or dig them out?
Grind stumps under lawn and on slopes, where the roots help hold the soil. Dig them out where a slab, wall, addition or pool goes, so rotting roots do not leave a void.
Twenty stumps, or one giant oak stump. What then?
The price per stump drops with numbers: HomeGuide shows $120 to $400 for the first and $30 to $60 for each one after. A huge oak stump costs $300 to $800 to grind. On a steep slope, we may leave some stumps in place to hold the hill.
Can I burn or bury brush instead of hauling it in Pittsburgh?
Burning brush is limited in Allegheny County by Health Department air rules and local ordinances, so check before you plan on it. Burying brush under a yard or building is a bad idea: it rots and the ground settles, which on a slope can start a slide. Mulch or haul it.
Can an excavator remove boulders or buried concrete in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Sandstone boulders, old wall stone and buried concrete come out with an excavator and, when needed, a breaker. HomeGuide puts rock removal at $50 to $200 per cubic yard kept on site and $220 to $250 hauled off.
How much to tear down an old shed, garage or barn?
To tear down a detached garage or similar building, HomeGuide lists $1,000 to $5,000. A garage built into a hillside costs more, because the back wall holds up soil and the slope must be stabilized after.
What does it cost to demolish a house in Pittsburgh?
House demolition runs $4 to $10 per square foot nationally, or $6,000 to $25,000 on average, per HomeGuide, rising to $25 per square foot where asbestos or lead must be handled. In Pittsburgh, the city's demolition permit requires terminating water and sewer, a void inspection, clean fill, 4 inches of topsoil and seed.
| House size | HomeGuide national range |
|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $6,000 to $15,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $8,000 to $20,000 |
For a price on your own property, call or text (412) 501-2259. We see the site, then give you the scope and price in writing.