How to Remove a Concrete Slab

concrete slab being broken up by jackhammer attachment

Updated June 8, 2023

Concrete slabs act as foundations for homes, garages, sheds, barns, doghouses, basketball courts, patios, and so much more.

While concrete slabs last decades in most cases, eventually the cracks, frost heave, and general aging will require removal or replacement.

If you're wondering how concrete slab removal works, how much it costs, or who to hire, this guide will answer all your questions.

Find concrete slab removal services near you

Concrete Slab Removal Process

Removing concrete is tough work that requires heavy equipment in most cases, which is why it's typically best left to a professional.

Each concrete removal project is unique, so the removal process may vary slightly, but here is a look at the most common process for removing a concrete slab...

Inspection

While not always necessary, an inspection is typically performed by a city inspector and is done to determine whether or not utility lines run below the concrete and how deep.

If the lines beneath the concrete could be affected by the removal, they will need to be avoided with caution. If you happen to damage any utility lines, you'll be the one left footing the bill, and it can be expensive, so do your due diligence.

Demolition

Concrete removal tools include excavators, backhoes, circular saws, and jackhammers in some cases.

The concrete removal process might vary slightly from one project to the next, but it typically goes like this:

A crew member of your hired company will start by finding the area of the slab that is the most damaged to be their starting point.
Before they begin tearing up the slab, a dumpster/trailer will be positioned nearby so the debris can be dropped directly into it.
With their equipment of choice—a backhoe or excavator in most cases—the crew member will then start scraping up the concrete.
As they rip up the concrete with the backhoe or excavator, they will drop the concrete directly into the nearby dumpster.
They will work up and down the slab until it is completely demolished and removed.

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Debris Disposal

Concrete slab debris is heavy, so the company you work with should arrange for a roll-off dumpster to be delivered to your property to handle the resulting debris prior to beginning the project.

In most cases, the contractor handling the slab removal will arrange for the dumpster for you, but confirm this with them during the initial quoting process to be sure.

If your contractor doesn't handle debris disposal, this will be an additional cost you'll want to consider. Renting a concrete dumpster costs $250-$450 on average for a 10 yard container.

As your concrete is removed, it is loaded into the dumpster and then hauled to the nearest disposal facility. When clean loaded, concrete can typically be recycled, which can save you money in disposal fees.

Average Concrete Slab Removal Cost

Concrete removal costs $3-$6 per square foot on average. However, there are a number of factors that will affect the cost of your project, like the square footage of the concrete slab, the location and accessibility of the patio, who you hire, disposal fees in your area, etc.

Finding Concrete Slab Removal Services

As previously mentioned, we highly recommend hiring a professional to assist with your concrete slab removal, as the process can be dangerous.

To find a concrete slab removal company near you, follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Understand Your Project

Before reaching out to contractors, gather all the information about your concrete slab removal project—the slab's square footage, depth, surrounding obstructions, or any other pertinent details.

The more information you have regarding your concrete removal project, the more accurate your demolition estimate will be.

When reaching out to concrete removal contractors near you, be ready to answer the following questions:

What type of concrete slab do you need removed? Is it a foundation for a home, a doghouse, a patio attached to your home?
How big is the area of concrete being removed?
To the best of your knowledge, how deep is the concrete? Is any of the concrete reinforced with mesh or rebar?
Where is the concrete area located? Is it easy to access with equipment?

The more forthright you are with each contractor, the faster they'll be able to provide an accurate estimate for your concrete slab removal project.

Step 2: Search Companies on Hometown

Hometown Demolition specializes in helping homeowners and customers of all types find qualified demolition companies near them offering the services they need. Get answers to common questions, read customer reviews, and request quotes from multiple companies all in one user-friendly place.

Step 3: Read Reviews

When looking for a concrete removal contractor, customer reviews are a useful resource.

It's likely you know someone who has hired a concrete removal contractor in the past, so asking around is helpful, but Hometown makes it beyond easy to see what companies offer concrete demolition and removal in your area, read customer reviews, and request free quotes.

Real customer reviews, or getting a recommendation from someone you trust, are invaluable during the contractor hiring process.

All reviews on Hometown are verified, so you can trust the reviews you read are from real customers with experience working with that company.

Read on: What to Look for in Demolition Reviews Before Hiring

Step 4: Know Your Area's Licensing Requirements

In most cases, contractors need to be licensed before performing any demolition or construction work, including concrete removal.

However, the requirements and protocols vary between states and municipalities, so do your research on local contractor licensing laws.

The contractors you speak with should be aware of local licensing laws and be properly licensed and insured, but check with your local department to confirm with them that is the case.

Before hiring, don't be afraid to ask the contractor for a copy of their license if it isn't clearly visible. For a licensed contractor, providing proof of their licensing to a potential customer is no problem, so if they don't make it readily available or refuse to provide proof to you, be wary of hiring that contractor.

Step 5: Get Multiple Quotes

We recommend speaking with at least three contractors before deciding who you should hire for your slab removal. Hometown makes it easy to request and compare quotes, which will allow you to adequately compare bids and make sure you're choosing the best contractor for the right price.

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Step 6: Choose the Right Pro

We always recommend finding a company that regularly performs the work you're asking them to do, in this case: concrete slab removal.

A fair price is important but so is qualifications, customer service, and availability, so find a balance of these qualities when reaching out to companies for a quote. This will help ensure you hire the right pro for the job.

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