What Is The Cost of Cutting Concrete?

Humankind has come far in terms of industrial development throughout history. In ancient times, builders and craftsmen made use of building materials such as wood and clay bricks. These materials are still used today in some parts of the world for various reasons but have primarily been replaced by concrete. For instance, bricks are still a popular alternative to concrete in developing and underdeveloped nations due to their affordability. On the other hand, countries like Japan still make use of wood for construction purposes as a way to uphold their culture. The popularity of wood as a construction material in Japan is also because it’s an earthquake-prone nation. Thus, when wood houses collapse, the chances of casualties and injuries are less. Moreover, wooden houses can easily and cheaply be reconstructed in case they collapse. Apart from these exceptional cases, concrete has taken over as the preferred building material for a variety of reasons.

The primary reason behind concrete’s popularity is its strength. Concrete infrastructures are quite strong and also very durable. Infrastructures built with concrete tend to last longer and not get damaged easily. Concrete is also popular for its reflectivity and versatility. Among many activities associated with concrete, concrete cutting is perhaps the most important. Whenever changes to a concrete infrastructure have to be made, the original concrete has to be cut. That’s where concrete cutting comes in. Even on an industrial level, concrete cutting is quite common, as without cutting the original concrete, structural changes are downright impossible. 

What is Concrete Cutting?

Concrete cutting is a process that involves the removal of concrete from a structure. This can be done to replace it with new concrete, make changes to the structure, or install pipes. It is recommended to go with a professional for the service of concrete cutting due to its hazardous nature. If one is not careful, cutting concrete can lead to poorly cut concrete and even serious injuries. This is because the tools that are employed in concrete cutting can be dangerous to those who don’t have prior experience with them. Tools such as diamond saws, circular saws, cut-off machines, and edgers are used in the process of concrete cutting. Each one of these tools can lead to accidents if an untrained individual uses them. Thus, it is often recommended to go with professionals when it comes to concrete cutting. However, that is not to say you cannot do the deed yourself. If you need to do minor concrete cutting tasks such as drilling a small hole or removing a small part of a slab, you can do it yourself with the help of a few online tutorials and a handheld concrete cutting tool. 

Cost of Cutting Concrete

The cost of concrete cutting depends on a variety of factors. A concrete cutting professional will decide the cost based on the nature of the job and the type of concrete that has to be cut. As concrete gets older, it gets more challenging. Thus, with old concrete, more work and heavy-duty equipment are required. Moreover, the surface area and depth of the concrete that is to be cut also affect the cost. The average rate of concrete cutting in 2021 falls within the range of $30-$50 per 300 mm. If the job is industrial level, the cost is bound to change as the equipment used will be industry grade. Moreover, such work will require a lot of other tools and more manpower.

The type of concrete that has to be cut also plays a role in cost determination. Exposed aggregate concrete and surfaces that have concrete floor heating, for instance, tend to be costlier than plain concrete. If the job is bigger, the professionals will make use of petrol-powered machines instead of electric ones. That can also jack up the cost of professional concrete cutting services. Be sure to pay attention to what kind of equipment will be used. Professionals who use powerful equipment do not come cheap, but with them, you’ll be able to save a lot of time, and consequently, the cost of labour will decrease. If the concrete that is being cut has materials such as rebars embedded into it, the cost will increase. Concrete walls with wires in them also tend to be costly compared to plain concrete.

If you decide to do the job yourself, you will have to invest in equipment. Moreover, a professional will always do a better job than an untrained individual. Thus, if the job is quite big, it is cheaper to hire a professional.