If you have an old patio made of concrete or pavers, it may be time to update it. The first step in upgrading your patio is to demolish the old one. Patio demolition is a very simple DIY project, although it is very labor intensive and requires specialized tools.
This article breaks down how to demolish a patio yourself, and when to call in a professional for help.
Patio Demolition Preparation
Any demolition job big or small begins with preparation. First, clear your patio so it’s ready to be broken apart. Next, figure out what tools you need to demolish & remove the patio. Most tools you don’t have can be purchased cheaply or rented.
Below are some of the tools you will need to demolish an old patio
- Jackhammer
- Shovel
- Pickaxe
- Sledgehammer
- Wheelbarrow
- Dump Truck/Dump Trailer
How to demolish a patio
Many paver patios can be easily torn out by prying the blocks up with a shovel or edging tool. After the pavers are ripped up, simply load them into a dump trailer for disposal.
For poured concrete patios, the project is a little more involved. You’ll need to assess the thickness of the concrete you’re taking out. Thicker concrete can be much harder to successfully demolish on your own.
Begin at one corner and jackhammer the patio until it breaks into pieces. Continue to move inward, breaking up the patio. Stop to remove the chunks of concrete into a wheelbarrow, and then load the debris into a dump trailer..
DIY Demolition Notes:
Safety precautions in DIY demolition projects are essential. There are several safety hazards to be aware of when performing demolition on your own.
Once you’ve successfully broken up the concrete or pavers of your patio, you have to remove all of it. This can be extremely labor intensive. It’s important to use proper form when lifting heavy materials to ensure that you do not injure yourself.
Don’t forget about disposal of the old patio debris when you have finished with your project. If you use a dump trailer, it is much easier to load & unload than a pickup truck.
Most clean fill sites will accept broken up concrete and bricks. This means you can dump for free or a small cost at those locations.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Patio Demolition Contractors
If you want to have a professional demolish your old patio, give A+ Enterprises Demolition a call. We are fully licensed & insured demolition contractors in both Scranton, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA. Our company serves a 100 mile radius of Wyoming, PA and can handle any-sized demolition project.
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I never leave reviews but Sal (I think his name is) was great. Both times we used them they showed up the next day on time and did a fast and efficient job. Personable and reliable. Highly recommend.
Carissa Dewey
May 5, 2019Excellent communication starting from the first call through our entire demolition project. Answered the phone and responded to emails and texts promptly. Got the job done quickly and efficiently. Highly recommend A+ Enterprises.
Michelle Pennington
June 10, 2020Sal was great to work with. I was so stressed about a large deck in the back of my house that was collapsing. Sal came right over and gave me a very fair price and two days later the job was done. And a really good job. He even hauled away a piece of junk for me at the last minute. I highly recommend this company and plan to use them again as the need arises
Pam cortese
April 10, 2019 -
I hired Sal to remove a huge pile of dirt at the property. Sal and his team came on time and finished the job beautifully. They are reliable, honest, and excellent on their workmanship. I would highly recommend to anyone. Thank you Sal. AAA+++
js js
January 15, 2020Kyle and Joe were wonderful! Very efficient process. I called and gave brief information to a very professional person. They came out the next day. Wiped their feet, quoted me a very fair price, and removed my furniture. I’m very pleased with their service and friendliness. I will definitely recommend them to my family and friends! Meredith R. They did such a good job yesterday that I called them back again today for more revival. They’re very fast, efficient, easy to work with and professional. Joe and Kyle came both days and we’re incredibly polite and thoughtful in what was a hard situation for me. Bravo A+ Enterprises! Repeat business speaks for itself. Meredith R.
Meredith Rynkiewicz
August 15, 2019First class operation. Recently completed a demolition of a kitchen and bathroom to the studs in my house. Crew was efficient, careful and concerned about doing a good job. Fair prices. Look no further this is the company to hire.
Frank Mclane
March 22, 2021 -
I had called them to remove an old couch.. not only did the accommodate at a reasonable rate, they had it removed within hours!! Called 2-3 different places, tied prices w 2, however the customer service was phenomenal!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Thank you so much again!!
Jennifer Mieczkowski
January 22, 2021I would highly recommend this company. Very respectful employees. Worked efficiently, were conscientious and very careful. Fairly priced and made this cleanup of 50 years worth of “things” easy.
Kathleen Doyle
October 10, 2020EXTREMELY PLEASANT AND PROFESSIONAL! Gave them a call to remove some old furniture and assorted boxes of junk. They said the had a crew in my area the next morning and could be here at 9am. Arrived right at 9 on the dot and got straight to work. They battled through all my cobwebs and work quick and efficiently. No trouble or damage from moving some big items in narrow areas. The price they quoted was great value for all the work they did. I have already and will continue to HIGHLY recommend them.
Michael Machion
August 3, 2019 -
I got a 100% accurate estimate from the owner and he dispatched a crew to clean out my house the next day (!). The guys were professional and very nice and personable, making a tough situation much easier to handle. Moreover, they worked until the job was done way over my expectations. This company has the best prices in our area and they are complete pros. I would recommend them to anyone...don't hesitate and call A+ first! They will be my first call in the future! Added 3/1/2020: So 18 months later I had to clean out a 2nd floor apartment and 3rd floor attic. This attic was stuffed floor to ceiling with junk and the apartment full of furniture. Sal had a crew there within 24 hrs of my call and cleaned it out in ONE DAY! They even swept up and went through with garbage cans to completely clean the house. I value good service and A+ always delivers...I recommend them to my friends and family and have now used them 3 times. Each time the price is far less than I expected and the work is way better than I'd expect. If you have a job that you're afraid to deal with...call them!!!!! It is the best call you'll ever make! They have always come through for me. Thank you!!!!
Daryl Williams
March 2, 2020Professional Service and Very Affordable. Fast and Efficient. I highly recommend.
Doug Fedor
August 25, 2020The A+ Crew led by Joe G were very courteous and professional. I highly recommend A+ without any hesitation
Joe McDonald
February 11, 2020 -
I would highly recommend A+ Enterprises. Very professional staff. Fast response to my request for information. Sal is very friendly, answered all my questions and set a date for pick up, much faster than I had expected. Day of pick up was better than prompt. Joe called en-route to say he was a little ahead of schedule and could actually be at my house sooner. Great Job at a reasonable price. Would definitely refer family and friends. Thank your for A+ service!
Barbara Siana
October 16, 2020This is an excellent company to deal with. I highly recommend! They were punctual, friendly and communicative throughout the entire process. From the first call, to the estimate, to the contract details, to start day/time, to what to expect day of and clean up day. It is very hard to find this level of customer service anymore! We hired them to tear down an old cinderblock/wood garage. It was right on the property line and didn’t have much room for error. A+ took the garage down no problem and did a great job with haul away and cleanup. You can tell they know their stuff. Sal always returned calls and emails. We got a fair price and a job well done! I definitely recommend and would work with them again if the need ever arises.
Alura B
April 14, 2021Amazing customer service!! Very nice people and easy to work with. Will definitely use again!
Tracey Koonrad
December 14, 2020
Patio Demolition FAQs
What does patio demolition cost?
A DIY patio demolition project will cost roughly $300. To hire a professional service will cost roughly $950, on average.
Where can I get equipment to demolish a patio?
Most rental companies have jackhammers, wheelbarrows, and other tools available for rent.
What do I do with the patio debris?
Most patios are made of either brick or concrete. Many recycling facilities take this material for free or little cost as clean fill.
How hard is it to break up concrete?
The difficulty level of breaking up concrete depends on how it was constructed. Thinner concrete with no rebar will break easily. Thick concrete with rebar requires heavy equipment to break up.
