Busting out old concrete... why so difficult?

[jeff000]

For the last two weeks I have been trying to find a company that will come out and rip up my mothers driveway, it's 11' wide for 200' and then over 100' kinda opens up to 46' wide at the garage in the back.
It's a LOT of concrete. Originally poured 21 years ago the mesh sunk to the bottom, not enough labor on site, and it was colored concrete, till the last 15' at the street.... My parents fought the contractor and he said he could rip it out and repour or leave it as is for free. A 20k savings while building a new house was the winning option.

Long story short, it lasted 20 years looking ok, but the last year has done a number on it, and making the house look like the ghetto house in the neighborhood filled with million dollar homes.

For the life of me, I can not get a company to come rip it out, saying the house is too close and whatever else. Or the job is too small for them to even come quote. I have had 6 people out, and none of them want the work.... WTF! They don't even know that I would basically just accept whatever quote they give. Why are these places not wanting to rip it out?

How hard would this be to rip out on my own? I figure I would need a dump truck or two just shuttling the concrete to the recycler, but I can't seem to find equipment for rent with a jackhammer attachment?

If I had a saw cut company out would cutting it into chunks and then use a bobcat work? do I need an excavator?


The new driveway is going to be a dual color pour, with a 1' dark stamped border. At least that part is easy to get done, although it costs a lot.

 

[Kevin54]

I would think whoever had the work on putting the drive in would take the old out. You must live around me where no one wants to work.

When we had our drive tore out, they had a small excavator with a thumb on it. They'd lift the concrete and if it didn't snap, they would either drop it a few times, or basically bend it until it did snap. Although it wasn't the size of yours, they had ours out and cleaned up in about 45 minutes.

if you know how to run a skidsteer, rent one and get a bucket and a jackhammer attachment and tear it out yourself. I would think it would be fairly easy to get rid of, although you may need to rent a dumptruck, or if someone is needing a lot of fill, for a creek bed and such, you load, they haul.

If you would, put your location in your profile, and you may get some offers.

 

[LB-1911]

Contact Lafarge, Share the location, dimensions and your plight with them.

http://www.lafarge-na.com/wps/portal/na/en/1_5_2_A-Locations

Good Luck

 

[p_mori7]

You need THIS:



Rent a skidsteer or a compact track loader with a concrete claw attachment. Or hire a guy that has the attachment.

You slide the long edge under the concrete, then lift. It snaps the concrete in large sections which are then carried off by the skid steer to a dump truck for disposal.

 

[DenisG]

Maybe you can talk with someone at the recycling yard. They're on the business end of these things, they see many contractors, and they might know who would work with you. In addition, they might provide some insight to the problems that you're facing.

Also check the concrete suppliers. They might have some incentive to help you. On the other hand, they may also be up to their eyeballs with work supplying material for road and highway construction.

 

[Red05GT]

Maybe the contractor from 20 years ago put the property on the blacklist! That size drive
should be attractive to a reputable concrete contractor. By the time you rent one or two
dump trucks, a jack hammer and skid steer, someone would do it for less. Call the local
ready mix companies and have their reps come out and they will find you one of their
best customers that will quote the job.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'd do it if I knew where it was at.

 

[LB-1911]

I'd do it if I knew where it was at.

The OP is somewhere in Canada.... Where you at?

 

[bczygan]

Put it on CL.

Free concrete....you remove!

 

[OldNeons]

It will take you a LONG time, but you could do it with a breaker on a skidsteer or an excavator and then load the trucks with same machine. The bigger the machine, the faster it will go clearly. Weight is the issue, the concrete in very big chunks will be heavier than a small skidsteer will lift. Saw cutting is NOT a viable option. Rent a skidsteer and a breaker attachment and get busy if you really want to DIY. Around here, for a standard house driveway, they get about $1.50/ sq ft to remove and haul off. I'd look again for someone who does it daily and they will do the job in a day. Good luck.

 

[JakeKohl]

I would also see if it's possible to get someone to remove it when it's being broken up...I wouldn't let them pile it up and start other work - you may be staring at that pile for a long time (I saw this happen to someone getting a driveway replaced near me...that pile of concrete lived there for six weeks and I started wondering if they were having trouble getting the contractor to remove it).

 

[dmw319]

I have a driveway that is 11'x125' and then a 40'x30' section that it connects to and i think im going to have the same issue!

 

[saceone]

concrete is super cheap to "get rid of" material wise. Around here dumping concret at a concrete plant (for them to reuse) is around 10$ / ton

 

[APEowner]

You might have better luck if you look for a contractor to pour the new one and make removal of the old one part of the job.

Another alternative if you live in a neighborhood that has a volunteer fire company is to stop by the fire house on drill night (with your annual donation) and ask if they know someone who would do the job. I can all but guarantee that there's at least one member who's lived in the community his whole life who makes his living doing projects like that.

 

[deter]

location? are you contacting concrete companies, or are you contacting demolition/excavation companies? Thats definitely alot of concrete to remove. A bobcat is not the tool for this job.

 

[jeff000]

Maybe the contractor from 20 years ago put the property on the blacklist! That size drive
should be attractive to a reputable concrete contractor. By the time you rent one or two
dump trucks, a jack hammer and skid steer, someone would do it for less. Call the local
ready mix companies and have their reps come out and they will find you one of their
best customers that will quote the job.

I'm not sure there was much of an internet to make a blacklist that would have held up this long. And I don't know why it would have got them on a black list though, they did the pool and patio the day before and it still looks like new.

I have a contractor to put in the new driveway, but they don't do removal, both the places he said he used all the time don't want the work, and each of those guys recommended a couple that also don't want the work.

Seems the companies are too small to take on a big job, or the job is just a little too small for the big companies to even look at.

It will take you a LONG time, but you could do it with a breaker on a skidsteer or an excavator and then load the trucks with same machine. The bigger the machine, the faster it will go clearly. Weight is the issue, the concrete in very big chunks will be heavier than a small skidsteer will lift. Saw cutting is NOT a viable option. Rent a skidsteer and a breaker attachment and get busy if you really want to DIY. Around here, for a standard house driveway, they get about $1.50/ sq ft to remove and haul off. I'd look again for someone who does it daily and they will do the job in a day. Good luck.

Calling around this morning, I can't find a breaker attachment on a machine that is small enough (only huge track hoes) One place has one on a front end loader, but it's out on a long term lease till october.

I don't want DIY, I don't have time for this really. But I can't get someone to do it for me.

I have a driveway that is 11'x125' and then a 40'x30' section that it connects to and i think im going to have the same issue!

I hope you have an easier time than I do. I'm in Alberta, and it's a boom for sure right now, so real tough finding people.
It's a lot of concrete.

Looking at the quote for the new work it looks like 8140 sq ft. And the old stuff is poured 6" thick (new will be too).

concrete is super cheap to "get rid of" material wise. Around here dumping concret at a concrete plant (for them to reuse) is around 10$ / ton

Ya the lafarge place not far from here will take it no problem, and I can get trucks to take it there easy. But I can't seem get anyone to take the concrete out of the slab.

 

[Onewolf]

Step #1 of our detached garage construction will be removal/disposal of the existing concrete driveway (~2400 sq ft). The guy we hired to do this charges $0.54/sq ft.

The company pouring the new driveway would have charged $0.25/sq ft to remove/dispose the old driveway but they only do removals if it's a removal and then immediate rebuild. Since there will be approx 4 months between driveway removal and new driveway construction we had to find someone else to do the removal.

 

[jeff000]

You might have better luck if you look for a contractor to pour the new one and make removal of the old one part of the job.

Another alternative if you live in a neighborhood that has a volunteer fire company is to stop by the fire house on drill night (with your annual donation) and ask if they know someone who would do the job. I can all but guarantee that there's at least one member who's lived in the community his whole life who makes his living doing projects like that.

None of the companies that are willing to sign a guaranteed quality control (We will have a QA/QC on site for the pour) have the ability to remove it.
I wasn't expecting it to be this hard to get it removed.

Family has lived in the community for 32 years. Know lots of people, but no concrete or demp people. My mom used to babysit half the volunteer fire department, lol.

location? are you contacting concrete companies, or are you contacting demolition/excavation companies? Thats definitely alot of concrete to remove. A bobcat is not the tool for this job.

Edmonton area, Alberta.
Contacting demolition/excavation companies, the concrete companies just refer me to the demo companies.
Counting my call list, I have phoned 28 places. Only able to get 6 to come out and look at it the rest won't even look saying it's too big or too small.

 

[jeff000]

Step #1 of our detached garage construction will be removal/disposal of the existing concrete driveway (~2400 sq ft). The guy we hired to do this charges $0.54/sq ft.

The company pouring the new driveway would have charged $0.25/sq ft to remove/dispose the old driveway but they only do removals if it's a removal and then immediate rebuild. Since there will be approx 4 months between driveway removal and new driveway construction we had to find someone else to do the removal.

54 cents a square foot is cheap, I was and am fully expecting at least a buck a square foot, probably closer to 2.
But nothing is cheap here like it is in the states, a laborer makes 20+ an hour here.

 

[Kevin54]

Hell...if you were closer and rented the equipment, I do it for you real cheap. I find it hard to believe that it's that hard to find someone to tear something up. We have a hard time finding someone to build things, but as far as demo'ing....it's mainly like "Hold my beer while I tear this out". We're not short of anyone wanting to tear things up.

 

[jeff000]

Hell...if you were closer and rented the equipment, I do it for you real cheap. I find it hard to believe that it's that hard to find someone to tear something up. We have a hard time finding someone to build things, but as far as demo'ing....it's mainly like "Hold my beer while I tear this out". We're not short of anyone wanting to tear things up.

I've been avoiding the hold my beer "companies" lol.

But maybe I'll have to just put an ad on Kijiji looking for one.

 

[saceone]

so basically looking at around 7000 SQ FT of concrete to remove/dispose.

cubic ft of concrete weights around 150 pounds
a cubic yard around 4050pounds

if it's 6" thick, it weighs around 526 000 pounds

around 264 tons. ******** that's heavy

 

[ACDNate]

You'll absolutely need a large excavator with thumb to remove that much concrete. Would take weeks to do it with a Bobcat and jack hammer.

I'd keep looking for a concrete vendor who will do both.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

The OP is somewhere in Canada.... Where you at?

Somewhere in Canada eh.

http://www.catrents.ca/About/Locations/Default.aspx

 

[Eriehunter]

Saw cut with a walk behind water cooled target saw, cut into 4x4 squares. A bobcat can pick those up and place into a dump truck. I cant believe there isnt a concrete company close by that wouldnt be interested in that work. I had my garage floor redone 10 yards removed and hauled off site within 2-3 hours.

 

[zkdiesel]

You'll absolutely need a large excavator with thumb to remove that much concrete. Would take weeks to do it with a Bobcat and jack hammer.

I'd keep looking for a concrete vendor who will do both.

Large skidsteer and a breaker. Then another skidsteer with grapple bucket and forks.
Two guys running them and 2-3 trucks running for you to dispose.
7,000 sq feet won't take to long if the concrete is crappy and already falling apart

 

[CityguyUSA]

Could get a fumpster instead of a truck it might be cheaper even if hoi have to have it replaced at some point.

 

[Zeke]

Saw cut with a walk behind water cooled target saw, cut into 4x4 squares. A bobcat can pick those up and place into a dump truck. I cant believe there isnt a concrete company close by that wouldnt be interested in that work. I had my garage floor redone 10 yards removed and hauled off site within 2-3 hours.

No need to cut and don't jackhammer it either. Just pick it up with a back hoe and transport it to the dump truck with the loader. Offer to pay by the hour at the job and by the mile to any available recyclers. If none close you have a problem.

Could get a fumpster instead of a truck it might be cheaper even if hoi have to have it replaced at some point.

He'd need over 20 lowboys. Not a good idea.

 

[Kevin54]

You'll absolutely need a large excavator with thumb to remove that much concrete. Would take weeks to do it with a Bobcat and jack hammer.

I'd keep looking for a concrete vendor who will do both.

With a jackhammer on a Bobcat, it would be busted up in a few hours. Once you get the pattern of things going with a skidsteer, at the 11' width, you would only be pivoting from side to side to bust it up. A few hours, swap the hammer out for a bucket and start loading. The longest part would be waiting on a truck to empty and come back.

 

[jeff000]

so basically looking at around 7000 SQ FT of concrete to remove/dispose.

cubic ft of concrete weights around 150 pounds
a cubic yard around 4050pounds

if it's 6" thick, it weighs around 526 000 pounds

around 264 tons. ******** that's heavy

It's actually 8100 sq ft. I must have shorted the length estimate.
So yes, a LOT of concrete.

You'll absolutely need a large excavator with thumb to remove that much concrete. Would take weeks to do it with a Bobcat and jack hammer.

I'd keep looking for a concrete vendor who will do both.

Getting someone to do both isn't an option, we tried and none of them have the equipment or ability to remove that much concrete.



I might have gotten lucky though. They are replacing a huge stretch of sidewalk by my house (new neighborhood, but I guess the pour failed or something) anyways, the are using a Cat 320 (almost 11' wide) and basically just lifting it up like big lego blocks.
When he is done with the sidewalk here he is going to meet me over there and see if he can do the job. So fingers crossed. Otherwise I found a small excavator with the thumb for rent.
But using an excavator how do you get started? the back part where i figure you would start is against the garage and stuff. Not anywhere I could just grab a little dirt to get under it.

 

[Zeke]

Well then you have to break out a hole. But, most would not start at the back and drive on the old concrete. They would start out front and use the dirt as their way out to the truck. You don't drive over your demo work, you drive out through a cleared path.

Anyway. I rented a tractor and did this once. By the time I got done paying the rental and disposal I was equal to the estimate.

It was fun though.

 

[Kevin54]

Well then you have to break out a hole. But, most would not start at the back and drive on the old concrete. They would start out front and use the dirt as their way out to the truck. You don't drive over your demo work, you drive out through a cleared path.

Anyway. I rented a tractor and did this once. By the time I got done paying the rental and disposal I was equal to the estimate.

It was fun though.

^^^^This^^^^

Start at the end and work your way towards the garage, and load as you go.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Or start a little (maybe 10 ft) in front of the garage. Clear a section and work back towards the garage before continuing out to the road.

 

[deter]

I can definitely see the problem. Its too big for small equipment, and the guys with big equipment don't want the logistical nightmare. There's a reason the last guy gave it to you for free, instead of redoing

 

[deter]

maybe try some sitework companies. like, guys that do parking lots. Thats pretty much what you've got there !

 

[p_mori7]

That job is not too big for a large frame skid steer or compact track loader equipped with a concrete claw.

1 day and it's done. Compact Track loader is the better choice IMHO. More traction to push that claw under the slab.

The machine in my pic on the first page has 84hp, weight close to 10,000lbs, can lift 3000lbs+ (depending on lift height), has a breakout force of almost 9000lbs.

It will bust out sections of concrete about 4'x4' or more.

As previously stated by another poster, there will be a heck of alot of concrete to haul away !

 

[p_mori7]

Since you are in AB, try calling a local equipment dealer. They can probably refer you to one of thier customers that has the right equipment. If you want the contact info for the Case Dealer, send me a PM.

 

[bczygan]

If the smaller companies are too small to do the job, just call them out and tell them that you only want the driveway half closest to the house replaced. Then get a bid and have them do the work. When they are finished, tell them you liked the quality of their work so much that you would like a second bid to go ahead and do the other half too

Oh, SNEAKY!!!

I like the way you think!

And it could work!

Wish I had thought of it.

 

[yardpro]

te tear it out all the time.
i install pavers, so we are always ripping out concrete and replacing it.

get a large mini-excavator...a 10-14K machine with a hydraulic thumb will wok fine.

make sure you try grading contractors, paver contractors, etc.

if you were closer i would jump all over this... easy money.

 

[jeff000]

te tear it out all the time.
i install pavers, so we are always ripping out concrete and replacing it.

get a large mini-excavator...a 10-14K machine with a hydraulic thumb will wok fine.

make sure you try grading contractors, paver contractors, etc.

if you were closer i would jump all over this... easy money.

Got the sidewalk guy to do it. $11,500. I am sure he is making a killing on it.

Well then you have to break out a hole. But, most would not start at the back and drive on the old concrete. They would start out front and use the dirt as their way out to the truck. You don't drive over your demo work, you drive out through a cleared path.

Anyway. I rented a tractor and did this once. By the time I got done paying the rental and disposal I was equal to the estimate.

It was fun though.

The guy taking out the sidewalk said the same as you, he would start at the front. He is worried he is going to wreck the sidewalk too. He's going to rip it out tomorrow, is going to use 4 trucks and said it should be out by noon.
I just have to pick up a bunch of rough cut lumber to protect the sidewalk and road.

I'm a little sad I won't be able to play with a big machine, but so glad it will just get done.

New basework will start Tuesday, and pour Friday, weather permitting is the plan now.
12mm rebar for the borders, and 10mm grid everywhere else, propped up on chairs.