Removing old concrete costs between $2.00 and $6.00 per square foot on average ($1,200 to $3,200 for a typical 400–600 sq ft patio or 2-car driveway). Total demolition pricing depends on slab thickness, rebar or wire mesh reinforcement, hauling distance, and equipment access. Use this free calculator to estimate turnkey contractor labor, roll-off dumpster sizes, and total debris tonnage.
Concrete Removal & Demolition Cost Calculator
Calculate demolition, jackhammer labor, hauling tonnage, and disposal fees for patios, driveways, and slabs.
Estimated removal & hauling cost
| Cost Component | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition & Breaking Labor | - | - | - |
| Machinery & Equipment Rental | - | - | - |
| Hauling, Trucking & Landfill Fees | - | - | - |
| Total Turnkey Removal Cost | - | - | - |
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Concrete Removal Cost per Square Foot by Project Type
Demolition rates vary primarily by slab thickness and whether heavy steel reinforcement must be cut during demolition:
| Project / Structure Type | Typical Thickness | Cost per Sq Ft (Turnkey) | Typical Total Cost Range | Debris Weight (Tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Sidewalk / Walkway | 3″ – 4″ (Unreinforced) | $2.00 – $3.50 / sq ft | $400 – $900 (150 sq ft) | 3.5 – 4.5 Tons |
| Backyard Patio (12×12 to 16×24) | 4″ (Wire Mesh) | $2.50 – $4.50 / sq ft | $750 – $1,800 (300 sq ft) | 7.5 – 9.0 Tons |
| 2-Car Driveway (20×20 to 20×30) | 4″ – 5″ (#4 Rebar) | $3.00 – $5.50 / sq ft | $1,800 – $3,300 (600 sq ft) | 15.0 – 19.0 Tons |
| Garage Floor / RV Parking Pad | 5″ – 6″ (#4 Rebar) | $3.50 – $6.00 / sq ft | $2,800 – $4,800 (800 sq ft) | 25.0 – 30.0 Tons |
| Commercial Slab / Machine Pad | 8″ (Heavy Double Rebar) | $5.00 – $9.00 / sq ft | $4,000 – $7,200 (800 sq ft) | 40.0 – 48.0 Tons |
| Concrete Footings / Foundation Walls | 12″ – 24″ Depth | $45 – $95 / linear foot | $2,200 – $5,500 (50 lin ft) | 12.0 – 22.0 Tons |
Concrete Removal Cost Breakdown: Labor vs. Dumpster vs. Equipment
When you hire a professional concrete demolition contractor, the project invoice is split across three major cost centers:
| Cost Category | % of Total Invoice | Typical Rate | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition Labor | 45% – 55% | $50 – $90 / hour per worker | Sledgehammer, hydraulic breaker, jackhammer operation, saw-cutting expansion joints, and manual wheelbarrow loading. |
| Hauling & Landfill Tipping Fees | 25% – 35% | $40 – $90 / ton + fuel surcharge | Dump truck freight, municipal concrete recycling drop-off fees, or heavy roll-off dumpster rentals. |
| Equipment & Machinery Rental | 15% – 20% | $250 – $650 / day | Skid-steer loader (Bobcat) with hydraulic breaker attachment, mini-excavator, diamond-blade walk-behind concrete saws. |
Dumpster Sizing & Weight Limits for Concrete Removal
Broken concrete weighs approximately 150 lbs per cubic foot (4,050 lbs or ~2.03 tons per cubic yard). Because of strict DOT highway weight limits, roll-off dumpster haulers restrict concrete to dedicated “low-boy” containers:
- 10-Yard Low Boy Dumpster ($380 – $550 flat fee): Holds up to 10 tons (approx 400 sq ft of 4″ concrete). Best for standard patios, walkways, and small shed pads.
- 20-Yard Heavy Debris Dumpster ($550 – $800 flat fee): Holds up to 10–12 tons max weight limit. Note: You cannot fill a 20-yard dumpster to the top with concrete or the truck winch cannot lift it.
- Dump Truck Load (10–14 Wheel Dump, $450 – $750 per haul): Holds 12 to 16 tons per trip. Preferred by excavation crews for large 20×40 driveways and foundation slabs.
Need to calculate exact material weights or replacement yardage? Use our Concrete Unit Converter or Concrete Weight Calculator.
DIY vs. Hiring a Concrete Demolition Contractor
Is breaking concrete yourself worth the savings? Here is a realistic cost and effort comparison for a standard 400 sq ft (20×20) patio:
| Comparison Factor | DIY Demolition (Tool Rental) | Professional Contractor Crew |
|---|---|---|
| Total Out-of-Pocket Cost | $750 – $1,150 (Dumpster + Rentals) | $1,400 – $2,200 (Turnkey) |
| Time Required | 2 to 3 full weekends (16–24 hours of intense physical labor) | 4 to 6 hours (Crew of 3 with Bobcat breaker) |
| Tool Rentals Needed | Electric Jackhammer ($95/day), Cut-off Saw ($85/day), Heavy Wheelbarrow, Sledgehammer | Included (Hydraulic excavator hammer, skid-steer loader) |
| Subgrade Preservation | Risk of disturbing base soil or damaging underground sprinkler/utility lines | Clean grade left laser-level ready for new gravel base and pour |
Key Cost Factors That Increase Removal Pricing
- Slab Thickness Over 4 Inches: A 6-inch reinforced garage slab contains 50% more concrete volume and requires hydraulic machinery rather than manual electric jackhammers.
- Heavy Steel Rebar Grids: Unreinforced concrete breaks into clean chunks with a sledgehammer. Rebar-reinforced concrete requires a crew member with bolt cutters or an angle grinder to cut every 12-inch grid intersection.
- Backyard Accessibility: If machinery cannot drive through a side gate, workers must haul 10+ tons of broken rubble by wheelbarrow, adding $1.00 to $2.00 per sq ft in labor.
- Adjoining Structures: Concrete poured directly against house foundations, brick siding, or pool coping requires precision diamond saw-cutting to prevent structural cracking.
Planning to Replace Your Concrete?
If you are pouring a brand-new slab after demolition, explore our specialized calculators to plan your materials and turnkey costs:
- Concrete Driveway Cost Calculator (with 3D visualizer)
- Concrete Slab Cost Calculator
- Ready-Mix Concrete Price per Yard Guide
- Concrete vs. Asphalt Driveway Cost Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Removal
How much does it cost to remove a 20×20 concrete slab?
Removing a 400 sq ft (20×20) 4-inch concrete slab costs between $1,200 and $2,200 on average, including jackhammer demolition, loading, and haul-away dumping fees. If the slab has heavy #4 rebar or tight backyard access, costs can reach $2,600.
How much does a 10-yard dumpster for concrete cost?
A 10-yard dedicated concrete roll-off dumpster costs $380 to $550 for a 3- to 7-day rental with a 10-ton weight limit included. Ensure you ask for a “clean concrete” dumpster rate, which is significantly cheaper than mixed construction debris.
Can I pour new concrete over old cracked concrete instead of removing it?
Pouring a new slab over old cracked concrete is not recommended unless the existing concrete is structurally sound and you apply a specialized bonded polymer overlay or minimum 2-inch bonded topping. If the old slab has shifted or settled, the new concrete will reflect the same cracks within 12 to 24 months.
Can broken concrete be recycled for free?
Many municipal recycling yards and aggregate crushers accept “clean concrete” (concrete free of dirt, wood, and trash) for $0 to $15 per ton, compared to $60–$100 per ton at municipal landfills. Recycled concrete is crushed into road base (often called 21AA or Crushed Concrete Aggregate).
Estimate transparency
How this estimate was prepared
- Prepared by
- GoHomeCost Cost Data Team
- Last reviewed
- September 9, 2026
- Update cycle
- Public price inputs checked monthly
Calculation method: Project quantity is multiplied by editable low, typical, and high unit rates. Selected location adjustments, waste, fixed charges, and minimum-job rules are then applied and shown in the result.
This is a planning estimate, not a quote or structural specification. Check product yields, local code, site conditions, and written contractor bids before purchasing materials or building.
Read the full methodology Report a price or calculation issue