Teardowns & Concrete Removal in Salt Lake City, UT

Teardowns and concrete removal clear old structures and hardscape so a new project can start: a detached garage being replaced by an ADU, a rotted deck, a shed, an unused in-ground pool, a cracked driveway or patio, or old footings. In an older city like Salt Lake, where many neighborhoods predate World War II, garages and outbuildings are often near the end of their life.

Older buildings, older materials

Buildings of a certain age can contain asbestos in siding, roofing or flooring. We confirm whether an asbestos survey is required before demolition, and abatement, which HomeAdvisor puts at about $2,000 on average, has to happen first when asbestos is found. We ask about it up front so the schedule holds.

Unreinforced masonry

The March 2020 Magna earthquake did its worst damage to unreinforced masonry; the 1892 Sears mansion had to be demolished. Old brick garages and chimneys are candidates for removal when owners decide repair is not worth it.

Concrete removal

Breaking out a driveway, patio or slab is fast with an excavator and breaker. HomeAdvisor lists concrete driveway removal at $1 to $2 per square foot. Clean concrete can often go to a recycler instead of a landfill.

Pool removal

Unused pools can be removed fully or partially demolished and filled. HomeAdvisor lists in-ground pool removal at about $13 to $15 per square foot. Fill must be compacted in lifts if anything will be built over it later.

Permits and utilities

Most demolition needs a permit, which HomeAdvisor puts at $150 to $500, and utilities must be disconnected before work. We coordinate the order of steps so nothing is left live.

Protecting what stays

Teardowns often happen beside a house, fence or tree that is staying. We take structures down toward open space, use mats on lawns, and keep debris from landing on neighbors' property. Utility lines feeding the structure are confirmed dead before we start.

Salvage and sorting

Metal, clean concrete and wood can often be separated and recycled. Sorting takes a little more time on site but can lower disposal costs, especially on larger teardowns.

Filling and grading after

Holes left by footings, pools or basements are filled with suitable material compacted in lifts. If something will be built on the spot later, we tell the builder exactly what fill went in.

Small jobs welcome

Not every removal is a whole garage. Old sidewalks, a single slab, a hot tub pad or footings from a removed deck are quick jobs that often pair well with other work.