You may be looking at your cracked and worn concrete driveway and thinking to yourself, can’t I just cover it up with some asphalt?
It seems like a simple fix, but you may not know what’s lurking underneath those cracks and in some cases, it’s just best to remove your concrete and start over.
Why would I need to remove my concrete driveway in Phoenix?
Sure, those cracks don’t look like a big deal, but they could be. Small cracks that are less than ¼ inch wide can usually be repaired with filler and the whole driveway resealed to prevent further damage. However, cracks larger than ¼ inch indicate something worse is going on. You probably have serious structural problems and you will likely have to have your driveway replaced. If that’s the case, you will first need to tear out your old concrete driveway.
How much does it cost to remove a concrete driveway in Phoenix?
As with any project at your home, the total cost will depend on many variables, including the size and complexity of the project. On average, it costs about $1 to $3 per square foot to remove a concrete driveway in Phoenix. Here are some factors to consider when pricing out this kind of project.
- Size of the driveway: First, you want to find the area of your driveway. To do that, you multiply it’s length by its width. For example, a driveway that is 40 ft by 20 ft would be 800 square feet. It would cost about $800 to $2,400 to have it removed. If your have a curved driveway, that will be a slightly more complicated calculation. Work with your contractor to determine the area.
- Location:Where you live can determine the price of labor. Metropolitan areas tend to have higher labor costs than rural areas.
- Accessibility: How easy is it to access your driveway? Most driveways are easily accessible with heavy equipment. But if you have nearby landscaping or structure that makes removing the driveway more difficult, it’s going to cost more.
- Complexity: How complicated is your job? Do you like those accents and decorative borders? Do you want to save part of your driveway? The additional labor and attention to detail needed to complete the more complicated project is going to affect your cost. Any time a concrete removal project gets more complicated for the demolition company, expect to pay more.
- Thickness of the concrete: Do you know how thick your concrete driveway is? Most standard concrete driveways are 4 inches thick. HOwever, if your concrete driveway was constructed to be driven on by heavy equipment like tractors or semis, your driveway will be thicker. Thicker concrete is heavier which leads to higher costs in hauling it away. Thicker concrete may also be reinforced making the demo job more complex and, you guessed it, more pricey.
- Site preparation: Are yuo planning on building something else in place of yur concrete driveway? If you want the demolition company to prep your land for new construction, make sure you let them know right away so it can be included in your quote. In order to rebuild a new driveway, the site must be graded and prepared properly. Your contractor can likely do this after tearing out and removing your old concrete driveway.
How is a concrete driveway removed in Phoenix?
First of all, work with your contractor to ensure a smooth project. Your contractor will work with you throughout the process to ensure that it is completed professionally.
The first thing that will happen in your driveway removal is that a city inspector will come out. The inspector is there to determine if utility lines run under your concrete and if they do, how deep they run. If they could be affected by the demolition, the utility lines will have to be carefully avoided. This step is key. You don’t want to damage any utility lines. You will be left footing that very hefty bill.
Make sure you have a debris disposal plan in place before teh actual demolition work begins. The contractor will most likely arrange for the removal and hauling of the concrete, but you want to confirm with them while you are getting your initial quote.
For the actual demolition, expect your contractor to use heavy equipment, such as jackhammers and backhoes, to break the concrete into manageable pieces. The concrete will then be placed in dumpsters and hauled away to a local landfill or recycling center.
Any kind of demolition is very hard work. It is not a DIY job, unless you have a lot of experience with the equipment and the process. The best thing to do with a job this size is to hire a contractor to do the work.
The experienced team at Joe’s Bobcat demolition has the professionalism, know-how, and equipment necessary to complete such a job. So, if you are thinking of removing your concrete driveway in Phoenix, call (602) 780-3343 today to find out more about the process.