Square-Foot Price Range
Use $2 to $8 per square foot as a broad starting range for most residential concrete removal, then adjust for the actual slab and site.
Guides
How Do You Price Concrete Demolition Work in Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix Demolition Co. prices concrete demolition work in Phoenix from the actual scope, not a flat phone quote. Square footage, slab thickness, reinforcement, access, man-hours, equipment, and haul-off weight all shape the estimate. This guide explains how those inputs affect pricing across the Salt River Valley.
Quick Summary
- Most concrete removal in the Phoenix metro runs $2 to $8 per square foot, depending on thickness, rebar, and access.
- Driveway, patio, and sidewalk removal typically starts within a broader $1.20 to $3 per-square-foot range; interior and structural slabs cost more.
- A sound estimate converts the scope into man-hours, applies the labor rate, and then adds equipment and disposal.
- Jobs under 500 square feet usually carry a $1,500 to $2,000 minimum, while disposal adds roughly $51 to $100 per ton.
Three Concrete Pricing Inputs
Thickness and Reinforcement
Thicker slabs create more breaking time and haul-off weight, while rebar or wire mesh adds cutting and sorting before recycling.
Build a Man-Hour Estimate
Measure the slab, identify reinforcement and utility constraints, assess equipment access, calculate crew hours, and add mobilization and disposal.
Concrete Conditions to Compare
Open-Access Driveway Slab
A skid steer approaching an unobstructed driveway. Direct equipment access reduces hand-breaking and crew time.
Reinforced Slab and Rebar
Broken concrete exposing rebar or wire mesh. The steel requires saw-cutting, shears, or torches before debris can be separated for haul-off.
Tight Backyard Equipment Access
A pool deck behind a narrow or locked gate. When a skid steer or mini excavator cannot enter, jackhammer and hand-breaking labor raises the price.
Concrete Pricing Snapshot
Measure Volume First
Multiply square footage by thickness in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. Concrete weighs roughly 150 pounds per cubic foot, so volume also forecasts haul-off weight.
Account for Slab Construction
Driveways are commonly 4 inches thick, while garage floors and foundations can reach 6 to 12 inches. Rebar or mesh typically adds $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, and every additional inch increases breaking time and debris weight.
Price Crew Time and Access
Phoenix demolition labor generally runs $40 to $80 per hour per worker. A standard residential setup uses a two-to-three person crew with a skid steer or mini excavator, but tight access can replace machine time with slower hand labor.
Apply the Small-Job Minimum
Projects under 500 square feet usually have a $1,500 to $2,000 minimum because mobilization, equipment transport, and crew time still apply regardless of slab size.
Typical Project Cost Ranges
| Project Type | Typical Price Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Driveway concrete removal | $1.20-$3.00 |
| Patio concrete removal | $2.00-$5.00 |
| Sidewalk concrete demolition | $2.00-$4.00 |
| Garage floor concrete demolition | $3.00-$6.00 |
| Basement concrete removal | $4.00-$8.00 |
| Pool concrete demolition | $5.00-$9.00 |
| Foundation concrete demolition | $6.00-$10.00 |
| Parking lot concrete removal | $2.50-$5.50 |
What the Numbers Mean
A typical residential slab job lands around $600 to $3,000 across projects ranging from a 10x10 slab to about 400 square feet. A basic 10x10 removal may run roughly $300 to $800, or $3 to $8 per square foot including disposal, when the scope is straightforward. Larger commercial parking lots and loading areas often fall between $2.50 and $5.50 per square foot because larger equipment covers more area per hour.
Factors That Change the Price
A 4-inch driveway and an 8-inch foundation footing require different labor and haul-off even at the same square footage; a standard 4-inch slab weighs close to a ton per 18 square feet. Phoenix caliche can slow excavation after the slab is removed, while utility proximity, a locked side gate, disposal distance, crew size, rush scheduling, and summer monsoon storms can add time. Regional sawing and removal pricing typically falls between $3.65 and $5.44 per square foot, with driveway demolition and removal at $1.20 to $1.90 per square foot. Permit review through the City of Phoenix Development Services Department and dust-control requirements from the Maricopa County Air Quality Department can also affect larger commercial scopes during arid, high-wind conditions.
Common Follow-Up Questions
How much does it cost to rip up a concrete slab? A common range is $2 to $6 per square foot, with many home jobs totaling $600 to $3,000; thickness, access, and disposal distance are the three biggest swing factors. How is disposal calculated? Regional recycling yards typically charge $51 to $100 per ton, and crews estimate tonnage from slab volume and concrete weight. What should you compare before hiring? Review the measured scope, man-hours, equipment, haul-off, and permit costs, because pricing between experienced and new contractors can differ by 15-25% as estimating accuracy and change-order risk vary.
Get a Site-Specific Price
Ready for a Concrete Estimate?
Share the slab dimensions, thickness, reinforcement, equipment access, and property conditions for a free onsite estimate. Residential, commercial, structural, and pool concrete demolition estimates are available throughout the Phoenix metro, with permits and utility locates coordinated as part of the project.