Removing concrete looks simple until the first truck is loaded. A slab breaks into far more volume than it occupied, and every load has to go somewhere, so haul distance and disposal rules often cost more than the breaking itself. We price demolition from the outside in: where the debris goes, how many trips it takes, what the crew can crush or recycle on site, and only then how long the breaking will last.
We demolish and remove slabs on grade, equipment pads, old foundations, sidewalks, curbs, pavement, dock approaches and partial structural elements for general contractors, developers and industrial owners in Midland. Many jobs are the first step of a replacement, so we plan the removal edge, the subgrade condition and the formwork start date together, and hand the area to the next crew in a state they can work with.
The sections below describe who does what, the conditions we check, how we sequence the work, and how far we travel.
Crews, equipment and partners
Concrete trade partners break, saw, load and prepare concrete for removal, and then place the replacement concrete when the job calls for it. That continuity helps, since the people who removed a slab know where the edge was cut and what the subgrade looks like. Qualified trade partners handle hauling, crushing, abatement, utilities and earthwork under our coordination.
Demolition equipment ranges from hand-held breakers to excavator-mounted hydraulic hammers and shears. We choose the smallest tool that does the job without damaging adjacent work. Near buildings, equipment pads or active pipe, hand tools and saw cuts keep the boundary clean. In open yards, heavier machines save time without causing issues. Reinforcing steel is cut and bundled as it is exposed, so loose bars never pile up in the work area or become a hazard for the loading crew.
What we check before breaking anything
The first question is what lies beneath and beside the concrete. We review utility drawings, mark locates and discuss any lines the owner knows about but cannot place. Sandy loam soils, caliche and old fill each behave differently once the slab is gone, and an open surface may need protection from rain or traffic until the new pour. We ask whether the concrete contains post-tensioning, since cutting a stressed tendon is dangerous and requires a plan.
The second question is the neighboring work. A demolition area next to an operating line, tenant space or finished slab needs saw-cut isolation, vibration limits and sometimes monitoring. We ask the owner what can tolerate noise and shaking, and we plan breaker size and work hours to match. If the owner has sensitive instruments, tenants or operating equipment nearby, we propose vibration monitoring and agree on a limit in writing before the first break.
Sequence from cut line to clean subgrade
We start with a saw cut at the boundary so the break stops where it should. Next we break the slab into pieces sized for loading, remove embedded steel and separate it for recycling, and load trucks in a continuous loop that keeps the site clear. Where crushed concrete is acceptable as fill or base, we coordinate that use with the engineer, since its suitability depends on the application.
When the concrete is out, we trim the subgrade and look it over with the geotechnical or site representative. If the subgrade is soft or wet, we flag it before forms are set. A clean handoff protects the schedule of the next trade and gives the owner a visible, documented starting point for the new work.
Dust, falling debris and heavy machines
Breaking concrete creates dust, flying fragments and ground vibration. We control dust with water and vacuum methods where practical, set exclusion zones around active breaking and keep pedestrians and vehicles apart from loading. Operators and spotters communicate with radios or hand signals that all crew members know, and we plan truck routes so loaded trucks do not back through work areas.
Climate is part of the safety plan. Midland has a hot semi-arid climate, with a mean July high of 95.8 degrees F, a mean January low of 32.7 degrees F, a record low of minus 11 degrees F and a record high of 116 degrees F. We schedule heavy work for cooler hours in summer, provide water and rest breaks, and watch ice and wind in the colder months.
Work we take on
The scope can include full-depth slab removal, selective removal inside a building, pavement and curb removal, dock and ramp demolition, foundation and pier removal, and pad demolition at plants and yards. We often pair removal with sawing and coring for clean edges, and with excavation when the area is to be reworked below the old slab.
Where a site is being cleared for new construction, demolition and site prep may be coordinated with the general contractor's earthwork partner. For repair work, demolition is limited to the failed section, and the repair crew follows with the replacement concrete.
Where the trucks run
Haul distance is the main variable in our demolition pricing. Loop 250 is a freeway from its west end to just east of Fairgrounds Road, and then a divided highway with interchanges or junctions at Thomason Drive, SH 191, FM 868, Garfield Street and Lamesa Road. That network lets loaded trucks leave a north or west Midland site and reach a disposal or recycling location without crossing downtown.
We also mobilize to Stanton, which sits on Interstate Highway 20 and is the Martin County seat, and to other communities along the interstate, where we bring the equipment, operators and a small loading crew together in one mobilization. For those trips we combine nearby removals when possible, and we tell owners when a small job would cost less if grouped with another one. The industries we work with, from oil and gas yards to retail centers, set the working hours and site rules.
Describe what needs to come out
Send plans, photos and the date you need the area clear. We will walk the site, price removal and haul-off, and give you a schedule that connects to the replacement work.
Common Questions
What happens to the concrete after you remove it?
It goes to a recycler or disposal site that accepts it, or it is crushed and reused where the engineer allows. We separate steel for recycling. The proposal states the plan so the owner knows where material goes.
Can you demolish next to a building that stays open?
Yes, with isolation cuts, smaller equipment and limits on noise and vibration. We discuss the owner's tolerances first and set a work window that keeps the building in service.
How do you handle utilities under the slab?
We review drawings and mark locates, then hand-expose lines before heavy breaking when needed. Utilities are coordinated through partners, and any line that must be moved or capped is scheduled before demolition.
How long does a typical removal take?
Time depends on thickness, reinforcement, access and haul distance. We give a daily production estimate after seeing the site and adjust if conditions differ.
Do I need a permit to remove a slab or foundation?
It depends on what the concrete supports and who reviews the site. Removing a loaded structural element usually needs engineering and permit review, while a plain pavement removal may not. We ask the local permit office early when there is doubt, so the answer arrives before the crew does.