Cost to Remove Concrete

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Some people find it hard to imagine that such a durable substance can be so easily removed. However, concrete is not as strong and solid as one might think; in fact, poorly-maintained sidewalks often begin crumbling with just the slightest touch from pedestrians or vehicles passing by. If your sidewalk has started deteriorating due to severe cracks or heavy weathering then you may want to consider hiring professionals who specialize in removing damaged concrete before replacing it with something new!

Concrete removal services are necessary when there are severely damaged areas on surfaces like patios and walkways that need to be replaced by landscaping.

Conditions Necessitating Concrete Removal

Concrete is a popular building material because it’s strong, durable, and affordable. Concrete removal can be necessary when concrete on your property has deteriorated to the point that rebuilding or resurfacing isn’t an option anymore. This post will explore some of the reasons why you might need to remove old concrete, to help you decide if this solution is right for your home project needs.

You might also like our articles about the cost of crushed concrete, concrete driveway, or concrete delivery.

The concrete is in bad shape and needs to be replaced when it has numerous settlements cracks, sunken slabs, frost heaves (concrete pushed up due to frozen moisture; a frequent occurrence in cold climates). These are just some of the signs that it’s time for new pavement. The cost of repairing/resurfacing the concrete is not economical compared to removing and replacing it so get estimates on both resurfacing and replacement before settling on your decision.

Average Costs of Concrete Removal

The average price for removing one square foot of concrete ranges from $2 per sq ft up to as much as $6 depending on how big your project will be and what else needs to be done at the same time (such as demolition, hauling, or disposal). For large projects, you could get lucky and find something affordable at around $1 per square foot.

The DIY approach to concrete removal is significantly cheaper than hiring a pro. Renting the jackhammer and saw might cost $75 – $150 per day, while rented skid steer costs $150-$300. Renting a roll-off dumpster will set you back at least 250 for 4 hours rental; meanwhile, a power wheelbarrow can be rented for only $40. Disposal fees can be high as $100 per ton (a simple 12′ x 14′ patio can have 2.5 tons of concrete). The transportation cost for recycling concrete is as high as $.25 per ton of material and the demolition permit costs between 15-30 dollars.

Concrete Removal Price Factors

Concrete amount: Concrete removal is not an exact science. Factors like slab size and thickness can make the process vastly more expensive, but there’s no easy way to determine what your particular situation will cost you without contacting a professional first.

Reinforced vs unreinforced: Reinforced concrete is strong and sturdy. It can withstand a lot of pressure before it starts to crumble, but this also makes it more difficult for anyone who needs to remove it. This means that there will be higher costs involved when doing any kind of construction work involving the removal of reinforced concrete because time must be spent removing reinforcing materials with heavy machinery. The job of removing unreinforced concrete will be a lot easier, usually only requiring a sledgehammer.

Equipment: There are many different types of equipment available for removing concrete, but the type you should use is determined by what kind of concrete you have to remove. For example, if a jackhammer (electric or pneumatic) will be used to remove unreinforced concrete, it will be faster than a sledgehammer and pry bar. However, this method can cost more money. If doing this as a DIY project then you can use any of the options available to remove the concrete, even to the point of renting heavy machinery such as a Bobcat with jackhammer attachment. The use of advanced equipment can actually be cheaper than manual work, as the latter requires much more labor (if you’re hiring a pro) or time and effort. Regardless of who does it for you, plan on renting a trash container/dumpster to hold demolished debris; other useful tools include a mattock, bolt cutters, concrete saws, etc.

Hauling and disposal: The process of hauling and disposing of your old concrete can be expensive, so it’s important to make sure you know the costs before beginning demolition. Depending on where you live, these prices might vary significantly. The best way to find a recycler in your area is by checking out CMRA’s official webpage which lists various recycling centers across North America.

Needed permits: Concrete demolition is not as simple as most people assume. Permits and inspections are sometimes required from your municipality, so make sure you have the information to do it right! Underground lines may also need marking by utility companies before you can start the work.