How Much Does Concrete Removal Cost?

Concrete Removal Costs by Size

When pricing out your project, the main cost factor is always going to be how much concrete you’re removing. You’ll want to calculate it either by the square foot, cubic yard, or ton.

Concrete Removal Price per Square Foot

Homeowners generally pay between $2 and $6 per square foot for this type of work. Expect to pay more for wire mesh- or steel bar-reinforced materials. This usually requires heavy machinery for removal. It’s easier to take out unreinforced material, and a lower price point reflects that.

Concrete removal services near you can give you the best and more accurate estimate for your project.

Concrete Disposal Price per Ton

Most removal companies charge a flat rate but also include dumping fees on top of the square foot cost. Municipal dumps charge anywhere from $30 to $100 per ton, depending on where you live. Disposal is an important part of the removal process. Talk to your pro about whether or not they include the cost of disposal in their quote.

Concrete Removal Price by Job

Prices for removing concrete depend on the job you need done. You’ll pay anywhere from $300 to $2,500 for most concrete demolition.

Concrete Slab Removal Costs

Slab removal costs about $800 to $2,500. The price typically varies depending on how accessible it is, if it’s reinforced, and how thick it is. Slab removal can mean anything from the slab under a shed to the one under your home. 

Cost to Remove a Concrete Sidewalk

Sidewalk removal costs $900 to $2,500. The only real cost factor is how much sidewalk you’re tearing up. Removing a sidewalk is typically one of the easiest and least expensive removal projects because it’s easy to access and typically doesn't have reinforcement. 

Concrete Patio Removal Price

Anticipate paying between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on your patio’s thickness. Are you interested in replacing your patio, or looking for a material with more longevity? Stamped concrete costs start at $2,700 and can be a good option for a sturdy and great-looking outdoor area.

Cost to Remove a Concrete Driveway

Removing a concrete driveway costs $1,000 to $2,500. Although reinforced, it’s generally easy to access with heavy machinery, making the job quick. You may get it a little less expensive if you combine it with a new install, which can then cost up to $10,000 for removal and new installation.

Cost to Demolish Concrete Stairs

Removing concrete stairs costs $300 to $800 per single story, on average. It can cost more for reinforced concrete or stairs in hard-to-reach areas. Floating concrete stairs inside a home cost more to remove due to the reinforcement and location, while patio stairs are far more cost effective to remove.

Other Factors That Affect Concrete Removal Price

While the main factors that affect the cost of your project are your location and how much is removed, a few other things you’ll want to consider are included here:

Reinforced vs. Non-Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced concrete costs 50% to 100% more to remove than non-reinforced concrete or about $4 to $6 per square foot. Reinforced concrete uses embedded rebar or steel mesh to help create more strength and load capacity and avoid cracking. It’s common in any load-bearing structure like a driveway or foundation. Sidewalks and patios feature it less frequently.

Thickness

The thicker the slab of concrete, the more concrete you’ll remove per square foot. A 6-inch-thick slab makes twice as much concrete per square foot than a 3-inch-thick slab. You’ll commonly find three- to four-inch-thick slabs in sidewalks and patios. Driveways and foundations often use four- to six-inch-thick slabs and are more likely to have reinforcement.  

Location

The job’s location creates more complex situations for removal. The more complex and hard to access the job, the more time it’ll take and the more it’ll cost.

For example, a sidewalk near the road has easy access, no reinforcement, and it’s easy to pull equipment and trucks right up to it, meaning it’ll go quickly and cost effectively. On the other hand, if you have a slab under a crawlspace to remove, it’s hard to get to and will likely require using only handheld equipment, and it’s laborious to move the concrete to a truck for disposal. 

Surface Type

You’ll pay more for different types of surface removal types. For example, an easy-to-access driveway costs more than a hard-to-access basement. Load-bearing surfaces cost more to remove since they have steel reinforcement.

Cost to Cut Concrete

You’ll pay $2 to $6 per square foot to remove concrete, even with a saw. You may pay extra to rent a saw or have a larger equipment fee as a line item on your estimate. Saw cuts are useful for cutting out doors, windows, trenches, and for cutting through reinforced concrete. 

Saw-Cut Concrete

It costs between $10 and $55 per linear foot to cut concrete with a saw. Prices depend on the depth of the cut, whether it’s reinforced, and how easy it is to access.

Concrete contractors near you who perform this job may have a minimum service charge that ranges between $50 to $150. Ultimately, what you’ll pay varies widely and depends on several factors, including:

• The size of the slab surface.

• The condition or location of the area.

• The depth per linear foot of the material.

• Whether the controlled removal is inside or outside.

Concrete Cutting Price per Square Foot

Cutting concrete out with a saw prior to removal costs the same, or $2 to $6 per square foot. Often, you’ll only need this for small areas, like cutting out a window. You can also rent a saw for $50 to $100 per day. 

Concrete Replacement Costs

Concrete removal costs $2 to $6 per square foot and doesn’t include replacement. If you’re interested in a replacement or something new, here’s a look at typical prices for popular projects. These costs add to what you’ll pay for removal.

• Concrete driveway cost: $1,800–$6,000

• Concrete patio cost: $1,700–$4,500

• Concrete sidewalk cost: $1,200–$2,400

• Concrete leveling cost: $600–$1,600

• Polished concrete floors cost: $1,500–$3,900

• Concrete countertops cost: $2,000–$10,000

• Concrete delivery cost: $1,700–$8,500

• Concrete resurfacing cost: $300–$500

• Poured concrete walls cost: $3,000–$11,700

• Concrete footings cost: $200–$3,600

• Concrete slab cost: $3,600–$7,200

DIY Concrete Removal vs. Hiring a Professional

Removing some concrete, like a sidewalk or patio, makes for hard work, but doesn’t require much technical know-how and the physical strength to do it. But only experienced professionals should remove specific sections of concrete or load-bearing concrete to avoid damage to a structure. 

While doing the job yourself may initially save you money, what you’ll pay in disposal fees may end up being more expensive than hiring a pro to start with—particularly if you’re having new material poured. Additionally, this physically demanding work can cause injuries.

FAQs

How do you remove concrete?

Removing concrete requires breaking it up with a sledgehammer, jackhammer, or heavy machinery, then hauling it away in a dump truck or trailer for disposal. You’ll want to look into having it recycled. Unless you’re a very experienced DIYer, it’s best to find concrete contractors to help with the job.

What’s the best way to remove concrete?

The best way to remove concrete is to hire a professional with the equipment and experience needed to do the job safely and effectively. After that, you’ll want to rent a jackhammer to break up the concrete, then hire a dump truck to load and haul it to the dump. 

Do I need a permit to remove concrete?

The area you live in dictates whether or not you need a permit. Most areas do not require a permit to remove concrete for residential structures, so long as it’s not changing the structure of the home. Some areas require a permit for demolition, depending on the size and scope of the project.