Homeowners can save money on home improvement jobs by doing some of the work themselves. One sure-fire way to save on replacement or remodeling costs is to do the demolition work yourself. When you’re dealing with concrete however, you have to weigh the cost savings versus the challenge of doing all that hard work yourself.
When you hire a concrete company to pour a new slab, the demolition and disposal of the old concrete is often included in the cost. In that case, it makes sense to let the pros do the work.
If you are removing concrete without replacing it or your contractor is tacking on a demo fee, you could save some money by doing some of the work yourself. But don’t underestimate the costs—both financially and physically—of taking on that tough work.
Removing concrete is a labor-intensive task. How much work is involved depends on several factors, including how easy it is to access the site and whether the concrete has reinforcement material in it. There are also disposal logistics and costs to consider.
Taking out concrete yourself can be risky. Concrete can be unpredictable and could contain rebar, steel mesh, brisk ties, or other obstacles. Working with concrete can result in injuries, structural damage, and excessive dust.
When doing this job yourself, it’s important not to skimp on safety equipment or the proper tools. You’ll need specialized tools that aren’t usually found in your garage or shed. If you’re renting tools, get properly trained in their use before you dig into that old concrete.
Concrete slab removal costs on average from $2 to $6 a square foot. A small patio measures about 50-100 square feet, making the cost to remove the concrete about $200-$600. The average size of a 2-car driveway in the U.S. is 480 to 640 square feet, which would cost from $1,000 to $4,000 to remove.
You’ll get quoted the lower end of that range if the slab is of normal thickness without much reinforcing steel, mesh, or rebar. Thicker and more reinforced slabs will run at the higher end of the price range. And of course, the larger the slab, the higher the cost.
When you’re getting new concrete poured, expect a break on the cost of removal if you use the same contractor. There may also be a minimum charge for small slabs of concrete. If your job only involves the concrete removal, and not the installation of a new patio or driveway, then most contractors will have a minimum project charge. Conversely, you may get a lower price per square foot if the contractor will also be replacing the driveway, patio, or walkways.
You may be surprised to learn that having professionals demolish your concrete doesn’t cost too much more than doing the work yourself. This is due to the cost you’ll incur to rent all the power equipment you need to get the job done. You’ll also spend money on safety equipment and disposal costs.
So what goes into a quote for concrete removal? There are several factors that can influence the final amount on your concrete removal quote:
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Thicker concrete takes more work to remove. And the more concrete debris you have, the higher the disposal costs will be. When you’re getting a quote for concrete removal, the estimator will measure the thickness along with the surface area of the concrete. Typical concrete thickness is about 5 inches. A slab thicker than 8 inches will cost more.
Concrete reinforced with steel mesh, rebar rods, or welded wire reinforcement takes more labor and time to remove, as the reinforcement has to be cut and removed. This extra work affects the overall cost of the removal job.
If your concrete is easy to access and a dumpster can be placed nearby, then it’s straightforward to break it up and haul it out. It’s more challenging to remove concrete when it is further from the street, blocked by other structures, or in special situations such as indoors or in an underground structure.
If you plan to remove the concrete yourself, you’ll likely need to buy or rent equipment to get the job done. At a minimum, this will include a large heavy sledgehammer and a heavy-duty wheelbarrow. You will also need bolt cutters for any wire mesh, or an angle grinder, saw, or rebar cutter for rebar rods. If you have a lot of concrete to bust up, you’d want to rent a jackhammer. Larger jobs call for an excavator and additional hauling vehicles.
A dumpster is a must when removing concrete. Because concrete is very heavy, special care must be taken not to overfill the dumpster. An overweight dumpster is subject to an excess weight charge.
Removing concrete is labor-intensive. Workers experienced in concrete removal can make quick work of the demo job, but labor costs are still a significant portion of your overall expense.
In some cities and counties, a permit is required for concrete work. These permits typically run a few hundred dollars in cost. Check before starting your concrete demo work to see if a permit is necessary.
As with all demolition jobs, the key to success is good planning. An experienced concrete professional can evaluate concrete to find any complexities that have to be address, such as steel reinforcement or a challenging lay of the concrete at the site.
You should always be able to get a free quote for any concrete removal job. Shop around for several estimates to get the best deal. Then compare this with the cost of doing it yourself.
Save money on the cost of concrete disposal by partnering with Discount Dumpster for all your waste needs. We have lots of experience in concrete disposal jobs. We’ll get you a great price on a roll off dumpster for your inert concrete waste and answer all your questions. Our service is quick and efficient so you can keep your costs in check and stay on your project timeline. Call us to learn more about our hassle-free concrete disposal services and our competitive prices on all sizes of jobs.
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