By Bruno Venichand, J. Perry & Sons — Florida CGC1540699
Concrete removal costs $8–$16 per sq ft in South Florida, including saw cutting at the edges, breaking, loading and disposal. Thin patio slabs sit at the low end; thick, reinforced driveway aprons and slabs with heavy wire mesh or rebar sit at the top. If the area is being rebuilt, new concrete runs $12–$20 per sq ft and pavers $19–$39. This guide from J. Perry & Sons tile removal and demolition explains what goes into a concrete removal price.
Concrete removal cost by job
| Job | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Patio or walkway slab, 4 in, light mesh | $8–$11 per sq ft | Hand access adds time |
| Driveway, 4–6 in with mesh or rebar | $11–$16 per sq ft | Saw-cut at the street and garage |
| Pool deck concrete removal | $10–$16 per sq ft | Coping and pool protected |
| New concrete driveway after removal | $12–$20 per sq ft | Forming, mesh, pour, finish |
| Pavers in place of removed concrete | $19–$39 per sq ft | Base and border included |
A 600 sq ft two-car driveway typically costs $6,600–$9,600 to remove. The new pour is a separate line, priced on the finish and thickness you choose.
What drives the price
- Thickness and reinforcement. Every inch of depth adds weight to break and haul. Rebar takes longer than wire mesh.
- Access. Skid steer access from the street is fastest. Backyard slabs with only a side gate are broken and carried out by hand or with small equipment.
- Saw cutting. Clean cuts where removed concrete meets concrete that stays: at the street apron, sidewalk, garage slab and house. For openings in walls and slabs, see our concrete cutting and core drilling.
- Disposal. Concrete is heavy. Load count and disposal fees are a real part of the price.
- Utilities. Irrigation lines, conduit and drains under the slab are located before we break.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Send photos and a rough length and width of the slab and we'll reply with a same-day range.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.
How concrete removal is done
- Locate utilities with the 811 call-in and mark irrigation and lighting lines.
- Saw cut the perimeter where the slab meets anything staying in place.
- Break with a skid-steer breaker, jackhammer or, near the house and pool, smaller tools to avoid vibration damage.
- Load and haul to a recycling facility where possible. Clean concrete without dirt or trash mixed in is cheaper to dispose of, so we keep loads separated.
- Grade and compact the subgrade for what goes back. If the old slab sat on soft or organic fill, that material comes out too and is replaced with compacted base rock before the new work starts.
Replacing what you removed
Most concrete comes out because something better is going in:
- New concrete driveway at $12–$20 per sq ft, with control joints and broom or decorative finish.
- Paver driveway at $19–$39 per sq ft. Pavers take settlement and roots far better than a single slab.
- Driveway extension. Widening a driveway often means cutting the edge and adding pavers or concrete; our driveway extension and pavers over concrete page covers both.
- Pool deck rebuild with formed concrete or pavers.
Removing concrete is often not needed at all. A sound slab can take pavers on top at $17–$32 per sq ft, leveling extra. We tell you which way is cheaper for your slab.
South Florida permits and site conditions
Driveway work that touches the city right-of-way (the apron and sidewalk) needs a right-of-way permit from the city or county, separate from the building permit. Broward and Palm Beach cities each have their own apron details. HOAs usually want the new finish approved before removal. Our high water table and sandy fill mean the subgrade must be compacted properly before new work; soft spots under old slabs are common and are part of why the slab cracked. Hurricane season matters for scheduling: an open driveway with no slab is not where you want to be when a storm is forecast.
Timeline
- Patio or walkway removal: 1 day
- Driveway removal: 1–2 days
- Driveway removal and new concrete: 4–7 days plus cure before driving
- Removal and pavers: 3–6 days, drivable on completion
Concrete and pavers by city
- Pavers in Boca Raton
- Pavers in Weston
- Pavers in Parkland
- Pavers in Davie
- Pavers in Wellington
- Pavers in Coral Gables
- Pavers in Jupiter
Related guides: Concrete driveway replacement cost · Concrete vs. paver driveway · Interior demolition cost
Prefer to send photos or plans? Send us your project
Concrete removal cost — FAQ
How much does concrete removal cost per square foot? $8–$16 per sq ft in South Florida, including saw cutting, breaking and disposal. Thin patio slabs sit low; thick reinforced driveways sit high.
Is it cheaper to remove concrete or put pavers over it? If the slab is sound and the height works at doors and the garage, pavers over concrete at $17–$32 per sq ft avoid removal. Cracked or sinking slabs should come out.
Do I need a permit to remove a driveway? Work on the apron or sidewalk usually needs a right-of-way permit from the city. We handle permits as part of the replacement.
How long does concrete removal take? Most patios take a day and most driveways one to two days, depending on thickness, reinforcement and access.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or send photos and rough dimensions through our project form. A written estimate is typically ready within 24–48 hours after a site review and scope confirmation.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.