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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    • 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

      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 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 Avatar Daryl Williams
      March 2, 2020
    • Contacted Sal to have some old boxes removed, called me the next day to set up a time to estimate the work. Came first thing the next morning and gave me a great quote. We agreed on a wonderful price and literally 15 minutes later he was here with his truck cleaning out our boxes. He was done quickly and efficiently! Very nice man, We will be contacting him again in the near future! My family and I highly recommend!

      Lakin Parsons Avatar Lakin Parsons
      October 17, 2020

      Incredibly professional and responsive to all of my questions. Each time I called I spoke directly with sal. No need to leave a voicemail and wait for a call back. Sal, Shawn and Mackenzie have been amazing to work with. I would highly recommend this company to anyone looking for dumpster rentals.

      Jennifer Bitters Avatar Jennifer Bitters
      May 17, 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
    • Professional Service and Very Affordable. Fast and Efficient. I highly recommend.

      Doug Fedor Avatar Doug Fedor
      August 25, 2020

      Requested a free estimate and they called me back in seconds! They were much more affordable than other big name companies in the area and provided service the day I requested. The movers were friendly and awesome! They moved out my awful bulky sofa with no issues! Absolutely would recommend to anyone! They are efficient and completely organized!

      Jennifer Kobeski Avatar Jennifer Kobeski
      April 6, 2019

      Sal really helped us out. We needed some junk removed right away and he got there within a couple of hours, was very professional and polite and did not charge an arm and a leg. He has a customer for life in us now!

      Margaret Esopi Avatar Margaret Esopi
      December 24, 2018
    • I had called them to remove an old couch.. not only did they 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

      Very nice to deal with. Showed up promptly. Worked throughout the entire day. Did a fabulous job! Would highly recommend.

      Sandra Hill Avatar Sandra Hill
      June 11, 2020

      Amazing customer service!! Very nice people and easy to work with. Will definitely use again!

      Tracey Koonrad Avatar Tracey Koonrad
      December 14, 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

      Absolutely amazing! Highly recommended! I recently moved to Pennsylvania and purchased a fixer upper in Luzern County. I had a large pile of debris from the house that I needed to get rid of. I called A+ Junk Removal and spoke with Sal. He was extremely professional and very personable. He was able to work with my schedule which was greatly appreciated. Sal also contacted me through text to remind me of my scheduled appointment. Joe and Andrew showed up on time to give me an estimate for my junk pile. They gave me a great price and got right to work. Both Joe and Andrew were very polite and extremely professional. Very friendly as well. They did an amazing job! I couldn’t have asked for a better crew to come and do this job for me. I am extremely appreciative for Sal, Joe and Andrew. I highly recommend this company and will definitely use them again on the future. Thank you so much A+ Enterprises!

      Rebecca DeKonty Avatar Rebecca DeKonty
      March 26, 2020

      They cleaned out my grandmas house today in under 6 hours. And we had a lot of stuff! Friendly guys and great work!! Definitely recommend.

      Grace Baker Avatar Grace Baker
      July 25, 2020