That backyard shed has been on the to-do list for years. The roof leaks. The door does not close. The framing is rotted from a decade of Inland Empire rain and sun cycles. Maybe it is just in the way of a new patio, pool, ADU, or expanded yard. Whatever the reason, you do not have to spend a weekend swinging a sledgehammer and renting a dumpster. Empire Junk Pick Up tears down the shed, hauls every piece away, and sweeps the pad in a single visit.
We handle wood sheds, metal sheds, resin and plastic sheds, prefab Tuff Shed and Costco-bought sheds, and custom-built backyard structures. We have done shed removals on tiny urban lots in Fontana and on multi-acre properties out in Yucaipa. The price is flat-rate. Call (909) 561-0437 for a free quote in minutes.
Types of Sheds We Remove
Shed construction varies more than most people realize. Each type has its own demolition approach, and we have done all of them.
Wood Sheds
The most common shed type in the Inland Empire. Wood-framed sheds with plywood or T1-11 siding, asphalt shingle or rolled roofing, and a wood floor on either skids or a concrete pad. We dismantle these from the roof down, separating the lumber, the siding, the roofing, and the hardware as we go. Clean wood is sorted for recycling whenever possible.
Metal Sheds
The galvanized or painted-steel sheds you see in many Inland Empire backyards (often Arrow, Sentinel, or Costco-brand metal sheds). These come down faster than wood sheds, panel by panel, and the entire structure is recycled as scrap steel.
Resin and Plastic Sheds
Lighter-weight Rubbermaid, Suncast, Lifetime, and similar resin sheds. These dismantle quickly into panel sections that we haul as bulk plastic.
Prefab Wood Sheds (Tuff Shed, Costco, Home Depot)
Prefabricated sheds built on-site from a kit. These are a hybrid of wood-shed construction with sometimes-better fasteners. We dismantle them like any wood shed.
Custom-Built Backyard Structures
Sheds that were built by a previous homeowner or a contractor, often with non-standard dimensions, unusual roofing, or attached features like overhangs, porches, or workbenches. We assess each one and quote based on the demo time required.
Garden Sheds, Greenhouses, and Hobby Structures
Greenhouses (glass and polycarbonate), garden sheds, chicken coops, dog houses, playhouses, and other small backyard structures are removed using the same general approach.
How Our Shed Removal Process Works
Step 1: Send Photos and Get a Quote
Photos of the shed (interior and exterior) plus a wide shot of the access path from the shed to the street give us everything we need to quote accurately. Text to (909) 561-0437 or use the form above. You get a flat-rate price within minutes during business hours.
Step 2: Empty the Contents (Or We Will)
Most customers prefer to empty the shed themselves so they can sort through what is inside before we arrive (you would be surprised what people find). If you would rather we just clear it out and haul everything (junk inside the shed plus the shed itself), we are happy to do that as part of the same visit. Just tell us up front.
Step 3: Demolition
We demolish the shed in the most efficient sequence for that shed type. Wood sheds: roof first, then walls, then floor, separated by material. Metal sheds: roof panels, wall panels, frame. Resin sheds: panel by panel.
Step 4: Haul Every Piece Away
Every board, panel, fastener, shingle, and floor section gets loaded onto our truck. The pad is left clear.
Step 5: Optional Pad Removal
If you want the concrete pad or the skid foundation removed too, we can usually arrange that as an add-on. Concrete pad removal involves additional labor, equipment, and dump fees, so it is quoted separately, but it can often be done on the same visit.
Step 6: Sweep and Walk-Through
We sweep the area, do a final walk-through with you, and collect payment.
A typical shed removal takes two to four hours from arrival to a swept pad.
What We Do With Old Shed Materials
Sheds are mostly wood, metal, asphalt, and plastic, and we sort the materials accordingly.
- Clean wood is routed to wood recycling facilities whenever possible. Wood that has been painted, treated, or contaminated goes to landfill.
- Steel and metal panels go to scrap metal recyclers.
- Asphalt shingles and roofing go to landfill or roofing recyclers depending on local availability.
- Resin and plastic panels go to bulk plastic disposal streams.
- Hardware, hinges, and fasteners are sorted with the metal recycling.
Every load goes to a state-permitted disposal or recycling facility.
Shed Removal Pricing Factors
We give you a single flat-rate quote, but here is what affects it.
Shed Size
A 6-by-8 wood shed is a quick teardown. A 10-by-12 wood shed with a loft and porch takes considerably longer. A 12-by-16 wood shed with a finished interior is essentially a small structure demo. We quote based on observed size and complexity.
Construction Type
Metal sheds tend to be the fastest to remove. Wood sheds take longer. Custom-built sheds with non-standard construction may take longer still.
Contents
If the shed is empty, we are demolishing only. If it is full of old tools, paint cans, lawn equipment, scraps, and bicycles, we are also doing a junk removal. Either is fine; we just need to know in advance to quote correctly.
Access
Backyards with wide gate access are easy. Backyards with narrow side gates may require carrying every piece of debris through a tight passage. Properties with no side gate at all may require carrying through the house itself, which we do gently and with floor protection. Mountain properties or properties with unusually long carries may take more time.
Pad Removal
If you want the concrete pad gone too, that is an add-on. Pad removal involves additional equipment (a jackhammer or breaker), additional labor, and significantly higher dump fees because concrete is dense and heavy.
Permits
Most Inland Empire jurisdictions do not require a permit for the demolition of a small backyard shed under a certain size, but some do. We recommend checking with your city's building department if your shed is unusually large (over 120 square feet in many California cities) or if it has utilities run to it. We are happy to discuss what we have seen in different jurisdictions, but ultimately permit responsibility rests with the property owner.
Bundling a Shed Removal With Other Backyard Work
Many shed removal jobs are part of a larger backyard refresh. If you have other items to clear at the same time, bundling saves money.
Common add-ons:
- Old patio furniture
- Hot tub removal (see Hot Tub Removal)
- Yard waste from landscaping
- Old fence sections
- Trampolines, swing sets, and play structures
- Construction debris from the new patio install (see Construction Debris Removal)
- Junk from inside the shed itself
If your shed is part of a bigger project, list everything when you call. The bundled flat-rate quote is almost always lower than the sum of separate visits.
Service Area for Shed Removal
Shed removal is available across the entire Inland Empire: Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Rialto, Colton, San Bernardino, Redlands, Highland, Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Upland, Montclair, Bloomington, Grand Terrace, Chino, Chino Hills, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and surrounding cities. Mountain communities are case-by-case based on weather and road access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does shed removal cost?
Shed removal cost depends on the size, construction type, contents, and access. Empire Junk Pick Up offers flat-rate pricing that includes the demolition, the haul, and the disposal. Send photos and dimensions to (909) 561-0437 for an exact quote.
Do I need a permit to remove my shed?
Most small backyard sheds (under approximately 120 square feet in many California jurisdictions) do not require a demolition permit. Larger sheds, sheds with utilities, and sheds in some HOA-regulated communities may require one. Check with your city or county building department to be sure.
Will you remove the concrete pad too?
We can. Concrete pad removal is quoted separately because it involves additional equipment and significantly higher dump fees, but it can usually be done on the same visit as the shed teardown.
Do you take everything in the shed or just the shed itself?
Either. Tell us in advance whether you want the contents cleared too. Many customers prefer to empty the shed first so they can sort through what they want to keep. Others want the whole job done in one swing.
Can you remove a metal shed?
Yes. Metal sheds (Arrow, Sentinel, Costco-brand) are some of the faster jobs we do. The entire structure is recycled as scrap steel.
Do you tear down greenhouses?
Yes. Glass and polycarbonate greenhouses can both be taken down. Glass requires extra care during removal and disposal.
What about a chicken coop or playhouse?
Yes. Small backyard structures (chicken coops, playhouses, dog houses, garden sheds) are removed using the same general process and are usually faster and cheaper than full-size sheds.
How long does shed removal take?
Most shed removals take two to four hours from arrival to a swept pad. Larger or more complex sheds may take a full day.
Can you remove a shed and replace it with a new one?
We do not install new sheds, but we are happy to remove the old one and clear the pad in coordination with whoever is installing the new structure. Give us your installer's expected delivery date and we can schedule around it.
Do you do same-day shed removal?
Yes, when our schedule allows. Smaller sheds are easier to fit into a same-day window than larger ones, so calling earlier in the day improves the odds.