How To Demolish a Concrete Driveway

If you own a concrete driveway or sidewalk that has been improperly installed, it may need to get demolished and ripped up in order to be replaced. Concrete that was improperly installed will crack, sink, and rise to create an unsightly mess! Does the thought of doing concrete demolition yourself scare you?

Have no fear, this article will show you exactly how to demolish concrete yourself. Contrary to popular belief, the only tools you need for concrete demolition is a mini excavator, jackhammer, and a dump truck/dump trailer.

Preparation

Concrete Removal Wilkes-Barre
Demolishing concrete in Wilkes-Barre

The first stage in demolishing a concrete driveway is to understand what you are dealing with. Some variables include the thickness of the concrete, size of slabs, and if there is rebar. If rebar is present, the only way to demolish the concrete is to use an excavator and jackhammer the concrete into small pieces.

Once you know what you are working with, it is time to start the demolition process! Use a jackhammer to break a piece of concrete up, and grab that piece with the excavator.

Make sure everyone is standing clear of the area, and use caution tape if necessary. Pick the piece up with the excavator as high as you can, and drop it onto the concrete slab. The slab should crack into pieces, although it may take a couple tries.

Loading up concrete

Driveway demolition Wilkes-Barre
Demolishing a driveway in Wilkes-Barre

Once you have a pile of concrete chunks, it is time to get rid of them! We started this project using one of our heavy duty dump trailers that we use for our Junk Removal Service, but quickly found that hiring a dump truck service was more efficient.

If you use a dump trailer, you can only get 2 heavily loaded dumps out of a charge, before you need to recharge the battery overnight. Once you have loaded up your dump truck/trailer, haul it to a concrete recycling plant, and keep rolling.

Cleanup

Wilkes-Barre Concrete Removal
Removing concrete from a driveway in Wilkes-Barre

Concrete is an extremely heavy material! When loading up your dump truck or dump trailer, it is important to not overload them because it is very easy to do. In addition, overloading your equipment not only makes them unsafe, but can wear them out much quicker.

Concrete Demolition Cost

Concrete Steps Demolition Wilkes-Barre
Demolishing Concrete Stairs in Wilkes-Barre

The cost of a concrete demolition & removal project can vary greatly depending on your location and the type of concrete that needs to be removed. Unfortunately, most homeowners do not own the equipment needed to demolish concrete.

Therefore, many DIYers resort to using a rental company to rent equipment for their concrete removal project. We have found that after the cost of renting equipment, transporting it to your home, working, and hauling away the concrete – it is cheaper to hire a concrete removal service.

DIY Concrete Demolition Cost Breakdown

  • $500/day mini excavator rental
  • $400/load concrete hauling & disposal
  • $100/day jackhammer rental

For an average DIY concrete driveway removal project that takes 2 days, the cost will be around $2,000.

Call The Concrete Demolition Professionals

Concrete removal company Wilkes-Barre
Concrete Removal Near Me

While it is relatively straightforward how to demolish concrete, the job is often-times left to a professional demolition contractor. Legitimate demolition companies have their own equipment, dump trucks & trailers, and the knowledge to get your concrete demolition job done safely and efficiently.

A+ Enterprises Demolition Service is the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area’s premier demolition contractor. We specialize in small to medium-sized demolition projects such as driveways, sheds, garages, mobile homes, pools, and more! We are fully licensed and insured, and have hundred of satisfied customers to back it up.


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    • Very promote service. They came exactly on time for the appointment and I did not have to left a finger. I lost the invoice for the services and received a quick response and delivery for that as well. If you looking for reasonable priced service with a smile A+ is the way to go. Also to add I have used multiple junk companies and they by far are the best.

      Kimberly Marriott Avatar Kimberly Marriott
      August 21, 2020

      I highly recommend A+ Enterprises. Sal the owner called and was great. Joe and Richard were prompt, efficient, honest, respectful, kind and took their time listening to what I wanted done. They really went above and beyond to make sure I was satisfied. I couldn't believe they came, did the estimate started the job and were out of my house in under two hours! And I had lots of stuff to get rid of...lol!!! I will DEFINITELY recommend to others and use again. Thanks for a job well done!

      Lou Ann Naughton Avatar Lou Ann Naughton
      November 18, 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 Avatar Barbara Siana
      October 16, 2020
    • Omg you guys were very efficient and did such a n amazing job cleaning out all the junk our tenants left behind. Very friendLy staff and you’re pricing was very reasonable for all that you guys did. Thank you so much. Keep up the awesome work!! Highly recommend!!

      Jon Mcleod Avatar Jon Mcleod
      July 22, 2020

      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 Avatar Jennifer Mieczkowski
      January 22, 2021

      Kyle 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 Avatar Meredith Rynkiewicz
      August 15, 2019
    • Hired A Plus Enterprises last year to remove some old pool equipment, old yard equipment, and old furniture from my house. There timing, professionalism, and reasonable pricing was overwhelmingly amazing. Great job and look forward to hiring you again!

      Ryan Croughn Avatar Ryan Croughn
      May 4, 2020

      This company is not just professionals at their work but also very kid and hardworking. During the scheduling the staff was very helpful and were able to work with my last minute call with no issues. I received a reminder of my appointment witch was very helpful. The team that arrived to the job took care of business before I knew it it was all done. Very respectful and hard working team. Will definitely recommend anyone and will definitely use this company on my next project.

      Edisson Fajardo Avatar Edisson Fajardo
      February 16, 2020

      Excellent 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 Avatar Michelle Pennington
      June 10, 2020
    • Hard working guys got the job done in one day. I recently bought a foreclose property and have A+ Enterprises help do the clean up. Its a 3 bedroom house full of junk, and everything was gone at the end of the day. Image a house hoarders live in, 3 bedrooms, each with bed, dressers, night stand, TV and many other trash, you do not want to be in the room more than 1 minute. Kitchen full of dirty dishes, appliances and dining table with chairs. At the end of the day, whatever not bolted down was gone, including most of the nasty carpet. I will definitely use their service again. Great service and the hard working people.

      Calvin L Avatar Calvin L
      April 7, 2021

      One of the best companies I have ever dealt with. Professional, courteous, reasonable and efficient. Highly recommend.

      Lynette Villano Avatar Lynette Villano
      April 4, 2019

      I was looking for someone to haul away some things from a home remodeling project. I called A Plus and within 10 minutes I received an email and was able to call the owner right away. He sent his crew out the next day and took care of my hauling needs with a great price. I cannot tell you how pleased I am at the prompt, courteous service I received from both the owner and the crew. I highly recommend them. Mary Gadomski

      gadomski Avatar gadomski
      June 4, 2020
    • Professional Service and Very Affordable. Fast and Efficient. I highly recommend.

      Doug Fedor Avatar Doug Fedor
      August 25, 2020

      I would rate over 5 stars if I could. A+ Enterprises is definitely A+! When we called them we were surprised to hear that they do same-day service, and they arrived quickly. The owner, Sal, is a wonderful guy who is honest and friendly. Everybody works very efficiently and is professional. Can't recommend them enough!

      Tara Piech Avatar Tara Piech
      February 23, 2020

      A+ Enterprise . . .gave an accurate estimate. . .did a PROFESSIONAL job. . .the team was "on-time" completed the work on schedule. . . very easy to work with. . . Highly Recommend!

      Wes Coates Avatar Wes Coates
      January 22, 2020