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Demolition & Wrecking in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Matty O'Malley Matty O'Malley New York, United States Last Updated: December 2024 NAICS 23891b

Revenue

$9.7bn

2024

$9.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

24,025

Businesses

4,566

Wages

$X.Xbn

Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry analysis

Demolition and wrecking contractors have enjoyed a significant uptick in demand. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has poured substantial funding into expanding and modernizing transportation infrastructure, creating numerous opportunities for contractors tasked with site demolition. The retrofitting of commercial buildings has also provided contractors a boost because of the increased demand for selective demolition. Industry revenue has been increasing at a CAGR of 3.6% over the past five years to total an estimated $9.5 billion in 2024, including an estimated increase of 4.1% in 2024.

Trends and Insights

  • Recycling efforts have turned demolition services into lucrative ventures. Rising material costs and environmental concerns drive contractors to prioritize dismantling and recycling, turning old buildings into valuable resources.
  • Demolition services are booming, driven by both total and selective demolition needs. With infrastructure funding and energy efficiency incentives, contractors are clearing the way for new projects and transforming outdated spaces into modern living areas.
  • The Southeast region remains a leader in the industry. Despite fewer major cities, it benefits from more unoccupied land for expansion. This advantage allows it to outpace regions with limited space.
  • Price, reputation and service range drive competition among demolition and wrecking contractors. When contractors have similar reputations and services, clients prioritize price.

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  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $9.7bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

New residential construction provided growth, but has since slowed

  • Low interest rates in 2020 and 2021 as well as climbing disposable income levels contributed to strong growth in new single-family housing. This strong housing growth contributed to an uptick in the demolition of aging homes throughout the US to replace them with new homes, greatly benefitting contractors. Also, demolition and wrecking contractors have enjoyed growth because of severe weather events. Major hurricanes such as Dorian in 2019, Laura in 2020, Ida in 2021, Ian in 2022 and Milton in 2024 have played a significant role in increasing the need for demolition and wrecking of residential structures damaged by storms.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Demolition & Wrecking in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
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Industry outlook (2025-2030)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Infrastructure spending to continue to benefit contractors

  • New bridge construction activity will climb over the next five years and benefit demolition and wrecking contractors. Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, announced funding for replacing various economically significant bridges throughout the US in July of 2024. This funding will greatly benefit demolition and wrecking contractors as these contractors will demolish the old bridges being replaced.

Biggest companies in the Demolition & Wrecking in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. Inc.
4.5
0.3
7.4
Northstar Group Services, Inc.
2.5
0.2
7.4
Environmental Remediation Services Inc.
0.5
0.0
7.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Demolition & Wrecking in the US
Products & Services
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Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Other, Abatement and remediation and Total and selective demolition. Other is the largest segment of the Demolition & Wrecking in the US.

Trends and Insights

Expenditures on total and selective demolition services have expanded

  • Total demolition involves leveling an entire structure, whereas selective demolition involves demolishing only the interior of a building. Developers call upon demolition and wrecking crews to clear the way for new commercial, retail, industrial, municipal or residential construction and civil projects such as bridges and tunnels.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Operators in this industry primarily wreck and demolish buildings and structures and sometimes sell salvaged materials. Other industry services include clearing and recycling debris, interior strip-outs, handling asbestos and hazardous materials, remediating sites (decontamination and waste disposal) and cutting and exploding concrete. Excavation and land-clearing work is excluded from this industry.

What's included in this industry?

Predemolition planning and analysisTotal or selective demolition of buildings (e.g. offices, warehouses and apartments)Total or selective demolition of structures (e.g. sport stadiums and oil rigs)Demolition and rehabilitation of sites following fire or industrial explosionEnvironmental cleanupAsbestos removalSelective dismantling and facade preservation of historic buildingsImplosion demolition of buildings and structuresRemoval, disposal and sale of materials from demolition sites, including recycling

Companies

D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. Inc.Northstar Group Services, Inc.Environmental Remediation Services Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ASBESTOS ABATEMENTDECONTAMINATIONBROWNFIELDSITE REMEDIATION

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 238910 - Demolition & Wrecking in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Recycling efforts have turned demolition services into lucrative ventures. Rising material costs and environmental concerns drive contractors to prioritize dismantling and re...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Demolition services are booming, driven by both total and selective demolition needs. With infrastructure funding and energy efficiency incentives, contractors are clearing t...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The Southeast region remains a leader in the industry. Despite fewer major cities, it benefits from more unoccupied land for expansion. This advantage allows it to outpace re...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Price, reputation and service range drive competition among demolition and wrecking contractors. When contractors have similar reputations and services, clients prioritize pr...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Demolition companies are thriving as traditional print media facilities shut down or transform. By demolishing iconic structures like the Greensboro News & Record headquarter...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Northstar Group Services, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Environmental Remediation Services Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Northstar Group Services, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Environmental Remediation Services Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Demolition companies must navigate a web of regulations to ensure safety and environmental protection. These laws, from OSHA's structural assessments to NEPA's ecological saf...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Contractors have enjoyed steady profit growth. Despite rising prices, they’ve managed labor and purchase costs to keep their bottom line healthy.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in United States in 2025?

The market size of the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in United States is $9.7bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in 2024?

There are 4,566 businesses in the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 2.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Demolition & Wrecking in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Demolition & Wrecking market in United States are D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. Inc., Northstar Group Services, Inc. and Environmental Remediation Services Inc.

What does the Demolition & Wrecking in the US in United States include?

Predemolition planning and analysis and Total or selective demolition of buildings (e.g. offices, warehouses and apartments) are part of the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Demolition & Wrecking in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. Inc..

How competitive is the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Demolition & Wrecking in the US industry in United States.

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Competitors

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Methodology

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for Alfabank-Adres readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of Alfabank-Adres’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

Alfabank-Adres relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do Alfabank-Adres analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, Alfabank-Adres’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does Alfabank-Adres forecast its data?

Alfabank-Adres’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

Alfabank-Adres prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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