Concrete demolition , breaking, removing, and hauling old concrete structures , is a specialty within demolition that requires specific equipment and knowledge. Backwell handles concrete demolition across CNY for residential, commercial, and industrial customers: driveways, patios, sidewalks, retaining walls, foundations, equipment pads, slabs, and structural concrete.
Call (315) 810-9558 for a free written estimate.
Concrete Demolition Services
Residential Concrete Demolition
- Concrete driveways
- Concrete patios and walkways
- Pool decks
- Garage floors
- Old foundations (after structure demolition)
- Retaining walls
- Concrete steps and porches
- Old concrete pads (sheds, hot tubs, basketball courts)
Commercial Concrete Demolition
- Equipment pads (industrial, manufacturing)
- Loading dock concrete
- Parking lot concrete (older lots converted from concrete to asphalt)
- Building floor slabs (during interior renovations)
- Foundation removal during commercial demolition
- Curb and gutter (where private)
Specialty Concrete Demolition
- Reinforced concrete , heavy rebar, requires specialized cutting/breaking
- Post-tensioned concrete , extreme caution required
- Structural concrete columns and beams
- Concrete tanks (septic, water, fuel)
- Bridge abutments (where private/non-DOT)
Cost Ranges for Concrete Demolition in CNY
| Project Type |
Typical Cost |
| Residential driveway / pad |
$3 – $8 / sf |
| Patio / walkway |
$4 – $9 / sf |
| Pool deck |
$5 – $10 / sf |
| Old foundation removal |
$4 – $10 / sf |
| Commercial slab (light reinforcement) |
$5 – $12 / sf |
| Heavy reinforced commercial slab |
$8 – $20 / sf |
| Retaining wall |
Project-specific |
Cost Drivers
- Thickness , 4" residential pad vs. 8" commercial slab vs. 12"+ industrial
- Reinforcement , wire mesh vs. heavy rebar vs. post-tensioned
- Hauling distance , to recycling vs. landfill
- Recyclability , clean concrete recycles for credit; contaminated concrete costs to dispose
- Access , tight access reduces equipment options
- Cuts vs. breaks , saw cuts for clean edges add cost
- Underlying drainage to handle / rebuild
Equipment for Concrete Demolition
Backwell brings:
- Excavators with hydraulic hammers (multiple sizes)
- Hand-held jackhammers (for tight or precision work)
- Concrete saws (wet and dry)
- Skid steers with breaker attachments
- Bobcats for material handling in tight spaces
- Articulated dump trucks for hauling
For larger commercial concrete demolition, we coordinate specialty cutting subs (wire saw, slab saw, concrete grinding) when scope requires precision cutting our own crews don't do.
Concrete Recycling
Clean concrete is recycled at licensed concrete recycling facilities , crushed for use as base material on roads, parking lots, and other construction. Recycling typically reduces disposal cost vs. dumping concrete in C&D landfills, which we pass through to homeowners as cost savings.
Mixed concrete (with metal, painted, or contaminated) goes to mixed C&D disposal at higher cost.
Counties & Cities Served
Concrete demolition handled across:
- Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Oneida, Cayuga, Cortland, Wayne, Jefferson
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a concrete driveway?
$3–$8 per square foot for typical residential driveways. A 600 sf driveway runs $1,800–$4,800.
Can you remove just part of a concrete pad?
Yes. Saw-cut to define the removal area, break and haul the section, leaving the remaining concrete intact. Useful for partial driveway replacements or expansion projects.
What about really thick or reinforced commercial concrete?
Yes. Equipment pads, factory floors, structural slabs with heavy rebar , all in scope. Cost scales with thickness and reinforcement.
Do you handle the disposal?
Yes. Loading, hauling, and disposal/recycling at licensed facilities included in standard scope.
Can the old concrete be recycled and reused?
Yes. Clean concrete is recycled into base aggregate at concrete recycling facilities. Where the project budget supports it, we can return crushed concrete to the property for use as base under new pavement.
How long does concrete demolition take?
Typical residential driveway: 1 day. Patio: half-day to 1 day. Pool deck: 1–2 days. Commercial slab: project-specific.
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Get a free estimate: Call (315) 810-9558.