Who Can I Call to Remove a Cement Deck and Give My Outdoor Space a New Look?
Break up with your old deck
When you look out to your backyard, perhaps you want to see plenty of natural elements, like leafy plants and warm-toned woods. But all the gray cement on your deck isn’t quite what you’ve envisioned for your serene outdoor space. You may begin to wonder who you can call to remove a cement deck. Before you attempt to DIY, consider the benefits of hiring a pro—and not just any pro. You need to call someone skilled (and insured) in demolition.
Benefits of Hiring a Demolition Service for Cement Deck Removal
When it comes down to the question of who you can call to remove a cement deck, the best pro to hire is a local demolition service. A demolition crew knows how to remove a cement deck safely without risking hitting a utility line that could flood your lawn or keep you without water service for a few days.
Pros already have licensing, connections with officials who can grant permits, and expensive machinery needed for the job. Additionally, demolition service often includes waste removal, saving you the time and money needed to haul away the old cement. Another benefit of hiring a demolition service is that these pros can get the job done quickly, often within a day, depending on the size of the deck. If you attempted to DIY, this project could take at least your entire weekend, even for a small, 100-square-foot deck.
Can I DIY Cement Deck Removal?
This is no task for a novice. For one, before you dig into the ground to remove a cement deck or perform any other outdoor project, you need to call the 8-1-1 Call Before You Dig hotline to check for buried utility lines. If you accidentally pierce a utility line, you could disrupt utility service to your household or even the neighbors. More serious damages could lead to injury or even pose a risk of death.
Additionally, cement deck removal may require building permits, so homeowners would have to take on the responsibility of checking with their municipality and paying for permit applications. When you hire a pro for the job, they handle the 8-1-1 calls and city paperwork.
Then, there are the tools. You’d need to rent a jackhammer and a concrete saw, plus you’d need to have additional tools, such as bolt cutters and a sledgehammer, and safety gear like goggles and work gloves. On top of the cost to buy and rent the supplies, you’d also need to pay for concrete disposal.
Ultimately, not only is this a challenging task to DIY, but it’s actually a better value to hire a pro. Concrete removal costs $1,115 on average when you hire a demolition specialist, but DIYing may cost around $300 to $660 for tools and supplies, plus another $550 or more for disposal.
Can I Hire a Deck Installer for Cement Deck Removal?
If you’re considering who to call to remove a cement deck so that you can replace it with another type of deck, you may consider hiring a deck installer to remove the old cement deck. Many deck installation companies will have pros on the team who can properly remove a cement deck, but not all companies offer this service.
When you’re gathering quotes from different deck installation pros, make sure to ask whether or not they handle old deck removal, including for cement decks.
How Do Demolition Service Pros Remove Cement Decks?
First, a demolition pro will gather permits and call 8-1-1. In the meantime, you or the demolition team can remove outdoor furniture, plants, and other deck decor and store it somewhere safe, away from the demolition site. The pros will then cover the home’s doors and windows to avoid damage from loose concrete. Once these tasks are done, they can start demolition.
If the cement deck is not reinforced, they will begin by using a jackhammer to break up the larger slab. If the cement deck is reinforced, they may need larger machines, like an excavator and a hydraulic lift, to tear out the deck in large pieces. Once they’ve broken down all parts of the cement deck, the demolition service team will dump the concrete and even haul and dispose of it for you.
Now, you’ll be ready to install a new type of deck or lay new sod or grass seed to revitalize your yard.