Houses and cabins
Full teardowns of homes and cabins that are past saving, usually ahead of a new build on the same lot.
Buildings · Garages · Outbuildings · Interiors · Haul-off
Demolition Contractor in Missoula, MT
Handy's Construction takes down houses, garages, outbuildings, commercial buildings and interiors across Missoula and western Montana. The crew uses its own excavators and dump trucks, hauls the debris, and leaves the site graded and ready for whatever comes next, including a rebuild by the same company.
Last updated: September 2026
Handy's Construction is a licensed and insured Montana general contractor based in Missoula, owner-operated by Tyler Handy and serving Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral and Lake Counties.
What does a demolition job from Handy’s Construction include?
Short answer
A Handy's Construction demolition covers the site visit and scope, coordination of utility disconnects and permits, taking the structure down with excavators, loading and hauling the debris in Handy's own dump trucks, and cleaning and grading the site. When you are rebuilding, the same crew moves straight on to the new foundation.
Demolition is usually the first step of something else: a new house on an old lot, a shop where a falling-down barn used to stand, a commercial building replaced with something that fits the business, or a kitchen gutted for a remodel. The quality of that next step depends on how the demolition was done. A site left full of buried debris, broken footings and ruts costs time and money for whoever builds next.
Handy's Construction sees demolition from the builder's side. Because the company also does excavation and site prep, foundations and building, it takes structures down with the rebuild in mind: old footings and slabs removed where they would get in the way, fill compacted, and the ground graded so the next crew can start work, which is often the same crew.
The company runs its own equipment. Excavators handle the take-down and loading, and Handy's dump trucks, operating under USDOT #4414052, haul the material off site. That keeps the schedule in one company's hands instead of waiting on a separate hauler to bring containers and pick them up.
What we take down
What kinds of demolition does Handy’s Construction handle?
Handy's Construction handles whole-building and partial demolition for homeowners, landowners and businesses across the Missoula area and the surrounding valleys.
Commercial buildings
Excavator demolition of commercial structures, with debris hauled off and the site left ready for redevelopment.
Garages, barns and outbuildings
Old garages, sheds, barns and outbuildings removed to make room for a new shop, garage or yard.
Interior demolition
Selective demolition inside homes and businesses ahead of a remodel, with the rest of the building protected.
Old slabs and footings
Concrete that is in the way of new work broken out and removed, so the new foundation bears on prepared ground.
Haul-off and cleanup
Debris loaded and hauled in Handy's own dump trucks, and the site graded clean when the structure is gone.
Before it comes down
What needs to be sorted out before Handy’s Construction demolishes a building?
Handy's Construction settles four things before any structure comes down: utilities, permits, hazardous materials in older buildings, and what happens to the site afterward. Planning them first keeps a demolition safe and keeps the next project from starting on a mess.
- Utilities disconnected
Power, gas, water, sewer or septic have to be shut off, disconnected or capped by the right parties before equipment goes to work.
- Permits
Whether a demolition permit is needed depends on the structure and whether the property is inside city limits or in the county. The requirements are checked for your address.
- Older materials
Older buildings can contain materials that must be tested and, if present, handled by qualified specialists before demolition. It is a question to settle early.
- The ground afterward
Basement holes, old footings and soft fill are dealt with so the site is safe and ready, whether the next step is a foundation or open ground.
The process
How does a Handy’s Construction demolition run, step by step?
Handy's Construction runs every demolition in five steps, from a site visit to a clean, graded lot, with its own equipment and trucks throughout.
Site visit and scope
Tyler looks at the structure, access, what stays and what goes, and writes up the demolition and cleanup.
Disconnects and permits
Utility disconnects are arranged, required permits are lined up, and any hazardous-material testing for older buildings is sorted out first.
Take-down
The structure is brought down with excavators in a controlled sequence, keeping neighboring buildings, trees and utilities protected.
Haul-off
Debris is sorted and hauled away in Handy's own dump trucks.
Clean and grade
The site is cleaned up and graded, ready for a new foundation, a driveway or open ground.
What sets the price of demolition in western Montana?
Handy's Construction prices demolition from what it sees on site: the size and construction of the structure, whether there is a basement or slab to remove, how much debris has to be hauled and how far, access for equipment, how close neighboring buildings are, and any testing or special handling older materials require. A written estimate after a site visit is the reliable number.
Demolition onlyStructure down, debris hauled, site cleaned and graded.
Demolition and rebuildThe same crew moves on to site prep, foundation and the new building.
FAQ
What do people ask about demolition in Missoula?
Have a building that needs to come down? Call (406) 491-6141 and talk it through with Tyler.
Does Handy's Construction do demolition in Missoula?
Yes. Handy's Construction demolishes houses, garages, outbuildings, commercial buildings and interiors in Missoula and western Montana using its own excavators and dump trucks, hauls the debris away, and leaves the site cleaned up and graded. Owner Tyler Handy gives a free written estimate after seeing the structure.
Can the same company demolish and rebuild?
Yes. That is one of the main reasons people call Handy's Construction for demolition: the crew that takes the old building down can dig the new foundation and build the replacement. See general contracting and custom home building.
What has to happen before a building is demolished?
Utilities such as power, gas, water and sewer have to be disconnected or capped, a demolition permit may be required depending on where the property is, and older buildings may need testing for hazardous materials before they come down. Handy's Construction walks you through the steps that apply to your site.
Do you haul away the debris?
Yes. Debris is loaded and hauled off in Handy's own dump trucks, which run under USDOT #4414052, so you are not coordinating a separate hauling company or leaving piles on the lot.
Do you do interior demolition for remodels?
Yes. Handy's Construction does interior demolition ahead of kitchen, bathroom and commercial remodels, protecting the parts of the building that stay. See remodeling & additions.
Can you remove an old foundation or slab?
When a rebuild needs it, old footings and slabs are broken out and removed as part of the demolition, and the ground is prepared for the new work. Tyler confirms the scope on site.
More from Handy’s
Other Services You May Need
Excavation & Site Prep
Clearing, grading, basement digs, trenching and driveways for build sites.
- Land clearing and grading
- Basement and footing digs
- Utility trenching
Custom Home Building
Custom homes and cabins built from the foundation up in western Montana.
- Excavation and foundation in-house
- Built for snow load and cold
- Additions and ADUs too
Remodeling & Additions
Kitchens, additions, decks, flooring and interior remodels.
- Kitchens and interiors
- Additions and decks
- Commercial remodels
Free estimates
Ready to price a demolition?
Tell Handy's Construction what you are building and where. Tyler looks at the site, the access and the ground, then gives you a written estimate with no pressure and no obligation.
or call (406) 491-6141