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.


[maxbutton id=”1″]

Request a FREE Patio Demolition Estimate

    Call us today! 570-373-9996


    • The 3 man crew did a fantastic job in clearing out and disposing of several large and small items that still remained after a 2 day estate sale. Items removed included beds and mattresses, 3 couches, bedroom chest of drawers, old refrigerator and electric stove, computer desk, old and very heavy television, several tools plus much more.Very courteous workers and owner was great to work with. Highly recommend and you won’t be disappointed.

      Rich Winslow Avatar Rich Winslow
      August 21, 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

      Very professional and efficient. Came on short notice. Very nice guys. Extremely good job done swiftly.

      Julianne Cusick Avatar Julianne Cusick
      May 27, 2019
    • I 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 Avatar Kathleen Doyle
      October 10, 2020

      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

      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
    • Professional and courteous. We have sought the services of this company twice now. Each time they were more than accommodating with very reasonable prices. A+ service.

      Charles Zaffuto Avatar Charles Zaffuto
      May 2, 2020

      EXTREMELY 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 Avatar Michael Machion
      August 3, 2019

      These guys are awesome! They came here when promised, were really nice and friendly, and they did what they were supposed to do in a timely fashion. The price quoted was changed because I had more “stuff” to get rid of. However, they quoted the difference before getting the rest of the things out and we agreed. I will certainly call them next time. Thanks, A+!

      TJ Belt Avatar TJ Belt
      March 26, 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

      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!

      Daryl Williams Avatar Daryl Williams
      September 26, 2018

      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
    • 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 Avatar Carissa Dewey
      May 5, 2019

      Sal and his team were fantastic to work with. They were professional and arrived on time. Our scope of work was larger than originally estimated and they immediately dispatched an extra truck to finish up our job in record time. I would highly recommend them for all your removal needs.

      Bryan McFarland Avatar Bryan McFarland
      December 5, 2019

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

      Doug Fedor Avatar Doug Fedor
      August 25, 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.


    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *