Concrete demolition is priced by how much has to come out, how thick and reinforced it is, and how hard it is to get a machine to it and the debris away from it. Breaking out an old driveway sitting on open ground is straightforward; breaking out a reinforced slab in a tight back yard where every piece has to be wheeled out by hand is a different job at a different price. It is often the first line on a replacement quote, and it is worth understanding on its own.
The work covers driveways, patios, sidewalks, slabs, steps and small foundations, whether it is the front half of a replacement or a standalone tear-out to open up a yard. Old concrete is fully recyclable as crushed aggregate, so it does not have to go to landfill, and asking where the debris ends up is a fair question to put to any contractor.
How Much Does Concrete Demolition & Removal Cost in Winston-Salem, NC?
What changes
Effect on your price
Amount of concrete
Priced by how much has to come out. Measure the square footage and note the thickness.
Thickness and reinforcement
A thick, heavily reinforced slab is slower to break out than thin unreinforced flatwork.
Access and haul route
The single biggest variable. An open driveway a machine can reach is cheap; a reinforced slab in a tight back yard that has to be hand-carried out costs far more per square foot.
Disposal and recycling
Hauling the debris off and recycling it as crushed aggregate is part of the job, not an afterthought left in a pile.
What is buried nearby
Working carefully around located utilities, irrigation and low-voltage wire takes more time than swinging a breaker freely.
Every job is priced on site. We measure, check the base and the grade, and put a written price in your hand before any concrete is ordered.
What's Included
Break-out sized to the thickness and reinforcement
Debris loaded and hauled off, not left in a pile
Old concrete recycled as crushed aggregate where possible
Site left graded and ready for whatever comes next
Careful work around utilities, irrigation and fencing
Standalone removal or the first phase of a replacement
How a concrete demolition Job Goes, Step by Step
1
Locate what is underneath
Before anything is broken, buried utilities are located, and irrigation lines, low-voltage wire and anything else in the work zone is flagged, because a breaker finds those the hard way otherwise.
2
Plan access and haul route
We work out how the machine gets to the concrete and how the debris gets out. Access is what separates a cheap tear-out from an expensive one, so it is priced honestly up front.
3
Break out
The concrete is broken into manageable pieces, sized to how it has to be removed, whether that is a machine loading a truck or hand-carrying out of a tight yard.
4
Load and haul
The debris is loaded and hauled off the same day where possible, so the site is not left with a pile of rubble, and the concrete is taken to be recycled.
5
Grade and hand back
The area is graded and left ready for the next step, a new pour, landscaping, or just an open yard, depending on why it came out.
When to Call
An old driveway, patio or slab needs to come out
You are opening up a yard or changing a layout
A replacement quote and you want the tear-out understood
A small foundation or steps need breaking out and hauling
Where we cover
Concrete Demolition & Removal across Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Walkertown, Rural Hall, Union Cross, Pfafftown, Clemmons, Lewisville, Stanleyville, Belews Creek, King, Germanton, Oak Ridge, Colfax, Summerfield, Stokesdale, Wallburg, Midway and Welcome.
Common Questions
What does concrete removal cost?⌄
It is priced by the amount of concrete, its thickness and reinforcement, and how hard it is to reach and haul. An open driveway is cheap to remove; a reinforced slab in a tight back yard that has to be hand-carried out costs more per square foot. Access is the biggest single variable.
Where does the old concrete go?⌄
It should be recycled. Broken concrete is crushed and reused as aggregate base, so it does not need to go to landfill. That is where ours goes, and it is a fair thing to ask any contractor before they haul yours away.
Can you remove concrete in a tight space?⌄
Yes, it just changes the method and the price. Where a machine cannot reach, the concrete is broken into pieces that can be moved by hand or small equipment. It is slower, so it costs more, but it is routine work.
