I'm considering removing about a foot of recycled asphalt from a section of my backyard that measures 100 feet long by 80 feet wide. This area, which totals around 8,000 cubic feet, used to serve as a parking lot, but now it's just filled with asphalt, dirt, and broken woodchips left by the previous owner, who was a tree trimmer. The landfill nearby charges $60 per ton, and I've measured that the fill might be more like 6 inches deep on average (possibly even closer to 4 inches in some spots). I'm looking for advice or opinions on whether this is a sensible project to undertake.
3 Answers
Removing that asphalt could be pricey, but think of it as an investment in your backyard. A nicer lawn could definitely boost your home’s resale value. With the right equipment, the work itself isn't too tough, so I’d say go for it if you can manage the costs!
$60 a ton for dumping is wild! Doing the math, that's potentially $24,000 just for one load every 20 trips. You could find people who need free fill; you might even recover some trucking costs. By the way, consider using a medium-sized excavator instead of a skid steer for this job—it'll be much quicker! Just make sure to call dig safe before you start digging!
Haha, yeah, I’m just letting the grass take its course for now. Seems way easier! LOL
You might want to check with your county first. They might take it as backfill for their sewer and water main repairs. We can dump asphalt at our sewer treatment plant for such projects, so it could save you some money!
Yeah, looks manageable with something like a skid steer, but those dump fees will add up fast. I’ve been letting grass grow over mine since it’s not really a paved lot—just looks like a rough gravel area.