What Concrete Do We Remove?
We break up and haul concrete from residential, rural, and light commercial properties. Scope ranges from a single backyard patio to full slab removal after a house demo. Rebar-reinforced slabs and thick foundations require a hydraulic breaker and more break-out time — those are scoped differently from standard flatwork.
- Driveway removal — standard 4-inch residential concrete driveways
- Patio and walkway removal — flatwork of any shape or age
- Pool deck removal — typically 4–6 inch unreinforced or lightly reinforced
- Residential slab removal — post-demo or standalone slab tearout
- Foundation removal — thick reinforced concrete, scoped individually
- Concrete steps and retaining walls
- Post-demo slab and footing removal
- All concrete debris hauled and taken to recycling facility
What Does Concrete Removal Cost?
Pricing depends on area, thickness, and rebar density. Standard residential flatwork (patios, walkways, pool decks) is the most straightforward and prices at the lower end. Thick foundations and heavily reinforced slabs take more time to break and separate, and price higher.
- Standard residential flatwork (patio, walkway): $5–$8 per sq ft
- Driveway removal: $1,500–$5,000 typical range for residential driveways
- Pool deck removal: $2,000–$8,000 depending on area and thickness
- Residential slab (4–6 inch): $6–$10 per sq ft including rebar extraction
- Thick foundation concrete (8 inch+): $10–$15+ per sq ft with hydraulic breaker
- Disposal fees at Sacramento-area recycling facilities: $5–$15 per ton (Cal-Waste, Republic)
- Haul distance affects total cost — closer recycling yards reduce per-load disposal cost
What Equipment Breaks Up Concrete?
Equipment choice depends on slab thickness, rebar density, and site access. Most residential flatwork breaks fast with a hydraulic breaker on a compact excavator. Thick reinforced foundations need a heavier machine — a CAT 308 or 315 with a demolition hammer. Tight yard access sometimes means hand breaking with electric chipping hammers.
- Hydraulic breaker (demolition hammer) on excavator — primary tool for most slab and foundation work
- CAT 305 or 308 compact excavator — standard for residential flatwork with normal yard access
- CAT 315 with heavy hydraulic breaker for thick reinforced foundations
- Rebar cutting: cutting torch or hydraulic shear for heavy rebar after concrete breakup
- Skid steer with grapple for staging and loading broken material
- Hand-held electric chipping hammers for tight access areas or precision work near adjacent structures
- 10-yard dump trucks for debris haul-out — multiple loads on larger slab jobs
What Happens to Removed Concrete?
Concrete is a recyclable material — it goes to a recycling facility, not a landfill. Sacramento-area facilities like Cal-Waste and Republic process concrete into recycled aggregate used for road base and fill. This keeps disposal costs lower than general construction debris.
- Concrete debris loaded and transported to certified recycling facility
- Sacramento-area disposal: Cal-Waste, Republic Services, and local concrete recyclers accept loads
- Disposal fees: $5–$15 per ton depending on facility and load contamination level
- Clean concrete (no wood, rebar attached, or foreign debris) qualifies for lowest disposal rates
- Rebar separated and taken to metal recycling — reduces total disposal cost
- Crushed concrete can sometimes be used as fill on the same site — confirm with your project engineer
Permits for Concrete Removal in Northern California
Most standalone concrete removal (patio, driveway, pool deck) does not require a permit. Slab removal tied to a building demo or slab replacement is typically covered by the demo or building permit for that project. Confirm with the local building department if the work is in an incorporated city or involves a foundation.
- Patio and walkway removal: typically no permit required in Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado counties
- Driveway removal: no permit required for removal in most jurisdictions; new driveway replacement may require encroachment or driveway permit
- Slab removal tied to demo project: covered under the demo permit
- Foundation removal: usually requires permit, especially if tied to a structure
- Incorporated cities (Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, etc.) may have additional requirements — confirm before scheduling
- Utility locating (USA marking) required before any work that involves breaking concrete over buried utilities
Related Services
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Remove unwanted pools, concrete, debris, and prepare the area for your next backyard project.
House Demolition
Demolition for houses, garages, sheds, outbuildings, small buildings, and light commercial structures.
Hauling & Debris
Remove brush, concrete, dirt, demolition debris, green waste, and jobsite material.
Grading
Prepare land for pads, driveways, drainage, ADUs, shops, garages, and future construction.
Frequently asked questions
How much does concrete removal cost in Northern California?
Standard residential flatwork runs $5–$12 per square foot. Driveways typically cost $1,500–$5,000 and pool decks $2,000–$8,000 depending on area. Thick reinforced foundations run $10–$15+ per sq ft. Disposal fees at Sacramento-area recycling facilities add $5–$15 per ton. The biggest cost variables are slab thickness, rebar density, and equipment access.
Do I need a permit to remove a concrete patio or driveway?
In most Sacramento-area counties, standalone patio and driveway removal does not require a permit. Slab removal tied to a demolition project is covered under that project's demo permit. Foundation removal usually does require a permit. Confirm with the local building department if the work is in an incorporated city — requirements vary between Roseville, Folsom, Elk Grove, and unincorporated county areas.
How long does concrete removal take?
A standard residential driveway or patio typically takes 1 day from setup to cleanup. Pool deck removal on a normal-access property runs 1–2 days. Full slab removal post-demo can take 2–3 days depending on area and concrete thickness. Rebar-heavy foundations add break-out and separation time.
What equipment do you use for concrete removal?
A hydraulic breaker (demolition hammer) on a compact excavator handles most residential flatwork. Thick reinforced foundations need a heavier machine — a CAT 308 or 315 with a heavy demolition hammer. Tight yard access sometimes means electric chipping hammers and hand breaking. Rebar is cut with a torch or hydraulic shear after the concrete is broken up.
Can broken concrete be recycled or reused on-site?
Yes, concrete is a recyclable material. Sacramento-area facilities like Cal-Waste and Republic Services accept concrete and process it into recycled aggregate for road base and fill. Clean loads with separated rebar qualify for the lowest disposal rates. In some cases, crushed concrete can be used as base material on the same property — this requires project engineer approval and is not standard practice.