How Much Does Concrete Removal Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Concrete removal costs between $542 and $1,738, or an average of $1,140. That works out to $2 to $6 per square foot. Your final price depends on the slab’s size, thickness, location, and overall quality. Setting a realistic budget—and hiring a qualified pro—will help keep the job safe and on schedule.

Concrete Removal Cost Factors

When pricing your concrete removal project, there are several driving factors that inform costs to consider.

Concrete Removal Price per Square Foot

Homeowners pay between $2 and $6 per square foot for concrete removal. Expect to pay more for wire mesh or steel bar-reinforced materials, which require heavy machinery for removal. It’s easier to remove unreinforced material, and a lower price point reflects that.

Reinforced vs. Non-Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced concrete can cost 50% to 100% more to remove than non-reinforced concrete, averaging $6 per square foot. That's because reinforced concrete has embedded rebar or steel mesh for added strength and load capacity, which makes it tougher to break apart. You'll commonly find reinforced concrete in load-bearing structures like driveways and foundations, while sidewalks and patios are less likely to have it.

Thickness

The thickness of your concrete slab directly affects removal costs. A thicker slab means more material to break up and haul away. For example, a six-inch-thick slab has twice as much concrete per square foot as a three-inch slab. Sidewalks and patios have slabs that are three to four inches thick, while driveways and foundations often use four- to six-inch slabs and may include reinforcement.

Location

Concrete is used to fill driveways, patios, sidewalks, walkways, and foundations all over the U.S. However, concrete demolition contractors tend to charge more in cities than in rural areas for removal. For concrete removal in urban areas, expect to spend $6 to $14 per square foot.

Here are some common costs of concrete removal by region:

Fortunately, this type of work is needed everywhere, so you can compare quotes to find the best rate. Steep or difficult-to-access areas may drive the price up, so if a rural area is wooded or surrounded by mountains, you may have to pay more than you would in a city.

Surface Type

The type of surface you're removing impacts the cost. You'll pay more to remove structures like driveways or basements that are hard to access or have reinforcement. Load-bearing surfaces often contain steel reinforcement, making them more expensive to demolish.

Accessibility

The location of the concrete significantly affects removal costs. If the area is hard to access or poses safety challenges, the job will take more time and increase your expenses. For instance, removing a sidewalk near the road is straightforward and cost-effective because it's easy to reach and doesn't require special equipment. 

In contrast, removing a concrete slab from under a crawl space is more complex. Limited access means professionals might need to use handheld tools, and moving the debris to a disposal truck becomes labor-intensive.

Concrete Removal Price by Project

Prices for removing concrete depend on the job you need done. Here’s a cost breakdown for common concrete removal projects.

Slab

Slab removal costs $800 to $2,500. The price varies depending on the slab’s accessibility, reinforcement, and thickness. Slab removal can mean anything from the slab under a shed to the one under your home.

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 one of the easiest and least expensive removal projects because it’s easy to access and doesn't have reinforcement.

Patio

You can expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 to remove a concrete patio, depending on the patio’s thickness. If you’re planning to replace the patio or want a material that lasts longer, stamped concrete gives you a sturdy, great-looking outdoor space.

Driveway

Removing a concrete driveway costs $1,000 to $2,500. Although reinforced, it’s easy to access with heavy machinery, making the job quick. You might shave a bit off the price by combining removal with a new driveway install, which can run up to $10,000 for both removal and replacement.

Stairs

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

Pool deck removal

Removing a pool deck costs $1,000 to $2,000. The process involves breaking down any existing concrete, hauling away debris, and ensuring the surrounding area is level and safe. Costs vary depending on deck size and accessibility.

Concrete floor removal

Concrete floor removal runs between $500 and $2,000. Factors like thickness, location, and reinforcement determine the final price. Garage and basement floors often require specialized equipment if the space is tight or lacks easy access.

Block wall removal

Block wall removal costs $1,500 to $2,500, depending on size, reinforcement, and ease of access. Carefully taking down and disposing of concrete blocks ensures a clean slate for future construction, landscaping, or boundary changes.

Budgeting for Concrete Removal

Consider these cost-saving strategies to make your concrete removal project more wallet-friendly:

• Tackle post-removal tasks yourself, like landscaping the area after your pro is finished, to save on additional labor costs. 

• Make your area as accessible as possible by removing obstacles, clutter, debris, or landscaping that may be in the way before your contractor arrives. 

• Get detailed quotes from at least three local concrete removal pros to ensure competitive pricing. 

DIY Concrete Removal vs. Hiring a Professional

Tearing out concrete yourself might look like an easy way to save money—especially on a small patio or sidewalk—but be honest about the workload and safety risks. Load-bearing or structural concrete is best left to a pro; one wrong swing could cause serious damage.

DIY work may trim labor costs at first, but disposal fees and equipment rentals stack up fast and can leave you paying more than if you’d hired a concrete removal pro. Concrete removal is heavy, demanding work, and a misstep can cause serious injury. A pro handles the haul-off, keeps the site safe, and often bundles disposal into the price.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.