Introduction
At DeCrowder Demolition, we pride ourselves on tackling some of the toughest demolition projects in Colorado. One of our most notable jobs involved the successful removal of a 77,000 square foot concrete slab. This large-scale project required precision planning, the right equipment, and a highly skilled crew — and we completed it in an impressive week and a half.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how our team achieved it, what challenges we overcame, and what Colorado property owners should know before starting their own concrete removal project.
The Scope of the Project
The slab in question measured 77,000 square feet—about the size of 1.5 football fields. This wasn’t just standard residential concrete. The slab was:
- 8–10 inches thick in most areas.
- Reinforced with rebar and mesh, requiring extra steps in breaking and hauling.
- Situated on a commercial site with strict deadlines and limited access for hauling trucks.
The project generated more than 9,000 cubic yards of broken concrete, which required careful planning to haul and recycle efficiently.
Local Statistics: Concrete Removal in Colorado
- Average timeline for large projects: Slabs over 50,000 sqft often take 3–5 weeks to complete.
- DeCrowder Demo timeline: Our team finished this massive 77,000 sqft job in just 1.5 weeks — significantly faster than the state average.
- Recycling rates: According to the Colorado Construction & Demolition Recycling Association, recycling concrete diverts thousands of tons of material from landfills every year.
Common Factors in Large Concrete Removal
Several key factors affect how these large-scale projects are handled:
- Slab Thickness – Thicker concrete requires more breaking power and longer removal times.
- Rebar Content – Heavily reinforced slabs slow down removal and hauling.
- Site Accessibility – Tight sites or urban areas increase trucking and labor costs.
- Hauling & Disposal – Disposal fees add up quickly, but recycling reduces costs.
- Permit & Compliance – Local building codes in Colorado often require inspections.
Concrete Removal Methods Compared
| Method | Best For | Speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical (excavators, breakers) | Large slabs with heavy reinforcement | Fast | Moderate |
| Chemical (expansive agents) | Indoor or sensitive environments | Slow | Higher |
| Saw-Cutting + Removal | Precision partial removal | Moderate | Higher |
| On-Site Recycling (crushers) | Projects with space for processing | Moderate | Lower disposal fees |
How DeCrowder Demo Got It Done
Our approach to this 77,000 sqft concrete removal project included:
- Deploying multiple excavators with hydraulic breakers for efficient slab breakup.
- Using saw-cutting in areas requiring precision.
- Recycling over 70% of the concrete, reducing disposal costs significantly.
- Coordinating logistics with local recycling centers to minimize downtime.
- Completing the project in just a week and a half, far ahead of typical industry timelines.
This strategy saved the client valuable time while ensuring a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible demolition.
FAQ
How long does it take to remove 77,000 sqft of concrete?
Most projects of this size take 3–5 weeks, but DeCrowder Demo completed this job in only 1.5 weeks.
What’s the fastest way to remove large concrete slabs?
The most efficient method is mechanical removal with heavy equipment, supported by recycling to streamline hauling and disposal.
What makes DeCrowder Demo different?
We combine speed, safety, and sustainability, often completing projects faster than industry averages while recycling a majority of materials.
Conclusion
Removing a 77,000 sqft concrete slab is a massive undertaking, but with the right team, it can be done quickly and efficiently. At DeCrowder Demolition, we specialize in large-scale concrete removal projects across Colorado, combining expertise, heavy equipment, and sustainability practices to deliver results our clients can trust.
👉 If you’re planning a large concrete removal project in Colorado, contact DeCrowder Demo today for a free estimate.
