Top 3 Demolition Contractors in Chico, CA
If you are tearing down a house, removing a pool, or clearing a fire damaged property in Chico or Butte County, these are the three licensed demolition contractors you should be talking to. Each one is ranked by California contractor license status, service scope, years in business, and the type of project they are built for.
Quick Answer: The Three Licensed Demolition Contractors Serving Chico
- 1. Demo Patrol (CA #1117491). Best for residential, mobile home, pool, and fire damage demolition. OSHA-10 certified, 75+ five-star reviews, in-house crew.
- 2. Santos Excavating, Inc. (CA #353466). Best for large-scale commercial excavation and site development. Serving Chico since 1977.
- 3. Dragon Demolition (CA #763896). Best for specialty demolition including hazmat, underwater, and emergency response. Founded 1995.
How We Ranked These Contractors
We used objective, public information only. No opinion polls, no paid placements. Every contractor on this list meets every one of these criteria:
- 1. Active California contractor license verified at cslb.ca.gov, with a C-21 Demolition classification or A Engineering classification.
- 2. Physical service presence in Chico or Butte County, not a distant contractor who lists Chico as an occasional travel market.
- 3. Years in operation and documented project history relevant to the services claimed.
- 4. Equipment and crew capability for the specific project types they rank for.
- 5. Bonded and insured, with public review presence where available.
Each contractor earned a primary "best for" angle based on the work they are built for. Ranking reflects fit for the largest segment of Chico demolition buyers: homeowners, small business property owners, and property managers who need residential, mobile home, pool, or fire damage work.
At a Glance: Chico Demolition Contractor Comparison
| Rank | Contractor | CA License | Founded | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Demo Patrol | CA #1117491 B General + C-21 Demolition | 2018 | Best for residential, mobile home, pool, and fire damage demolition in Chico and Butte County |
| #2 | Santos Excavating, Inc. | CA #353466 A General Engineering + C-21 Demolition | 1977 | Best for large-scale commercial excavation and site development in Chico |
| #3 | Dragon Demolition | CA #763896 A Engineering + C-12 Earthwork + C-21 Demolition + HAZ | 1995 | Best for specialty demolition including hazmat, underwater, and emergency response |
Demo Patrol
Best for residential, mobile home, pool, and fire damage demolition in Chico and Butte County
Demo Patrol is led by Spencer Farman, a licensed California contractor who runs every Chico project with his own crew. No subcontractors on demo day. You get one bid, one crew, and one point of contact from estimate to final grade. The company has completed more than 30 fire damaged property demolitions across Chico, Paradise, Magalia, Berry Creek, and Forest Ranch, including Camp Fire cleanup work on both foundation preservation and full-site removal scopes.
Where Demo Patrol Excels
- Residential house demolition: typical 1,500 sq ft home comes down in one day for $10,000 to $15,000 total.
- Mobile home demolition: single-wide from $6,000, double-wide $8,000 to $13,000. Tight-access crush-from-front technique for park removals.
- Pool demolition: partial fill-in starting at $7,500. Full inground removal $18,000 to $30,000 with soils engineer and nuclear compaction testing.
- Fire damage demolition: insurance adjuster coordination, selective tarping, foundation preservation saves up to $60,000 on some rebuilds.
- Concrete and foundation removal: $4 to $5 per square foot with free disposal at a private recycling yard.
What to Know Before You Call
Demo Patrol targets bigger-ticket jobs. Their project minimum is around $6,000. If you need a shed or a small concrete patio removed, they will refer you to a more appropriate vendor. The sweet spot is a full residential tear-down, mobile home removal, pool demo, or fire damage cleanup on a lot of a half acre or more.
Santos Excavating, Inc.
Best for large-scale commercial excavation and site development in Chico
Santos Excavating has been operating out of Chico since 1977, making them the longest-tenured contractor on this list. Their portfolio leans toward commercial excavation and site development. Notable local work includes the Butte Humane Society shelter, the Habit Burger site on Cohasset Road, and substantial Camp Fire debris removal operations. Their A-classification license means they can self-perform grading, excavation, and underground utility work alongside demolition on a single permit.
Where Santos Excavating Excels
- Commercial and retail site preparation including parking lots and road work
- Public and municipal projects where A-Engineering licensure is required
- Large-lot excavation paired with concrete or asphalt removal
- Regional infrastructure work across Butte, Glenn, and Tehama counties
When to Call Santos Excavating
Reach out to Santos when your project is an excavation-first job with demolition as a component, when you need grading and site work bundled, or when you are a general contractor coordinating a public or commercial development in the Chico area. They are on the larger end of the Chico market.
Website: santosengineering.com. Verify license #353466 at cslb.ca.gov.
Dragon Demolition
Best for specialty demolition including hazmat, underwater, and emergency response
Dragon Demolition is the specialty shop in the Chico demolition market. Their license portfolio includes A Engineering, C-12 Earthwork and Paving, C-21 Demolition, and HAZ Hazardous Substance Removal. That last classification is unusual and valuable. It means they are certified to handle asbestos abatement, lead paint, petroleum contamination, and regulated debris without handing the work to a subcontractor. They publicly list underwater demolition and body recovery among their specialty services, which no other contractor on this list offers.
Where Dragon Demolition Excels
- Hazardous substance removal including asbestos and contaminated soil
- Underwater demolition and submerged structure removal
- Emergency response and unusual access projects
- Government and regulated projects requiring HAZ licensure
- Slide repair and soil compaction paired with demolition
When to Call Dragon Demolition
Call Dragon when your project has hazmat exposure confirmed or suspected, when the demolition involves water or submerged structures, when you are on an emergency timeline, or when the scope is unusual enough that standard C-21 contractors are declining to bid.
Website: dragondemolition.com. Verify license #763896 at cslb.ca.gov.
How to Choose Between These Three
Pick based on the job, not the biggest brand. Each of these contractors is licensed and capable in their lane. Match your project to the lane:
Call Demo Patrol. Owner-run crew, OSHA-10, and specific Chico and Butte County experience on these job types.
Call Santos Excavating. A-Engineering licensure and five decades of commercial site work in the region.
Call Dragon Demolition. HAZ licensure and specialty classifications most general contractors do not carry.
Before you sign any contract, verify the license number at cslb.ca.gov, confirm the bond is active, and ask for a certificate of insurance listing you as additionally insured for the duration of the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a licensed demolition contractor in Chico?
Check the contractor's CA license status at cslb.ca.gov. In Butte County, a demolition permit costs about $199 and is typically issued in under a week, which is faster than Sacramento. Confirm the contractor carries an active C-21 Demolition classification, is bonded, and carries both general liability and workers comp insurance before you sign anything.
How much does demolition cost in Chico, CA?
Residential house demolition in Chico typically runs $10,000 to $15,000 for a 1,500 square foot home. Mobile home demolition runs $6,000 to $8,000 for a single-wide and $8,000 to $13,000 for a double-wide. Fire damaged structures run 10 to 40 percent more due to tarping, insurance coordination, and foundation preservation work. Pool removal starts at $7,500 for a partial fill-in.
Do I need a permit to demo a building in Chico?
Yes. The City of Chico and Butte County both require a demolition permit for any structure removal. The permit is about $199 and includes two required inspections. A licensed demolition contractor handles permit pull, utility disconnect verification, and debris disposal manifests on your behalf.
What is the difference between a C-21 and an A license?
C-21 is the California Contractors State License Board classification specifically for demolition and building moving. An A license is General Engineering, which covers larger infrastructure, excavation, and site work. A contractor holding both can handle demolition plus earthwork, grading, and site preparation on one permit.
How long does it take to demo a house in Chico?
A 1,500 square foot single story home in Chico comes down in one day once permits and utility disconnects are in place. Total project timeline including permit processing and utility work runs three to four weeks. Mobile homes and small outbuildings can be completed faster, often in under a day on site.