Patio Demolition DIY Guide

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.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Patio Demolition Services
Jackhammering out an old patio

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

Patio Demolition Service Scranton, PA
The Best Demolition Company in Wilkes-Barre, PA

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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    • Fast service, excellent price. Picked up on the same morning that we called. Will definately recommend and call again. Sal was very professional. Guys who showed up at our home were professional as well. We prefer to use local companies and this is one we expect to keep on our list.

      T Seidel Avatar T Seidel
      July 8, 2019

      Sal and his team are amazing! They came and did a clean out the same day I called. They are honest, flexible, quick, and professional. They are worth every penny they charge. I wouldn't consider calling anyone else. Ryan K.

      R K Avatar R K
      March 8, 2019

      The A+ Crew led by Joe G were very courteous and professional. I highly recommend A+ without any hesitation

      Joe McDonald Avatar Joe McDonald
      February 11, 2020
    • 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

      Can’t thank the guy we spoke to enough! He was wonderful to us! We were in a last minute crunch to get rid of stuff and he worked with us and even went way out of his way to accommodate our needs! He truly has great customer support and was beyond generous! Can’t thank this awesome company enough! It meant a lot to us!! We highly recommend!

      Kaitlyn Szorady Avatar Kaitlyn Szorady
      July 11, 2020

      Three men came and took everything I wanted to get rid of. They were professional and very nice. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Thank you. I'll be calling again.

      Elaine Hungarter Avatar Elaine Hungarter
      June 23, 2020
    • I would highly recommend them they did a great job and the men were very hardworking and very nice I intend to get them back for more at another time

      Regina Pokrifka Avatar Regina Pokrifka
      August 11, 2020

      Would definitely recommend this company for anyone needing junk removal! Super nice owner. He and another young man came to my home and were very efficient getting rid of our junk in about 90 minutes. If you’re looking for a junk removal service, definitely check out this company. Thanks, Sal!

      Shannon Meier Avatar Shannon Meier
      August 10, 2019

      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
    • 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

      Professional Service and Very Affordable. Fast and Efficient. I highly recommend.

      Doug Fedor Avatar Doug Fedor
      August 25, 2020

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

      Tracey Koonrad Avatar Tracey Koonrad
      December 14, 2020
    • 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

      These guys are the best! Very professional and super courteous and easy to work with! We had a tight space to get it into driveway and they made it look easy and didnt even leave a scratch !! Great prices too!! Thanks for helping us out!!! John and Maryjo

      john morrissey Avatar john morrissey
      July 18, 2020

      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

    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.