Concrete Removal & Replacement

Concrete removal and replacement means breaking out and hauling away failing concrete, correcting the subgrade and base that caused the failure, and pouring a new slab in its place. Replacement is usually the right call when concrete is heaved, settled, badly cracked, spalling across the surface or pitched so water runs toward the building — because the problem is almost always underneath, where resurfacing cannot reach.

Most of the driveways, walks and patios we replace did not wear out. They failed because the base under them was never right, water was never directed away from them, or joints were placed poorly and the slab cracked where nobody planned for it.

That is why removal and replacement starts with figuring out what went wrong. We break out and haul away the old concrete, look at what is underneath, remove soft or organic material, correct the subgrade and install a properly compacted aggregate base. Only then do we form to the corrected grade and pour.

Where only part of a surface has failed and the rest is sound, partial replacement is often possible. We remove and replace the failed sections and match the new work to the existing as closely as jointing and finish allow.

When to replace instead of repair

Common questions

How much does it cost to remove and replace concrete?

Removal and replacement with a broom finish generally runs $9–$12 per square foot on projects of approximately 1,000 square feet or more — about a dollar per square foot more than new installation, because the old concrete has to be broken out, loaded and hauled away before the base can be corrected. Heavily reinforced or unusually thick old slabs, tight access and soft subgrade needing extra correction push it toward the upper end. Smaller areas are priced individually, with a $2,500 project minimum.

Should I repair or replace my concrete?

Repair makes sense for isolated cosmetic damage on a slab that is still supported evenly. Replace when concrete has heaved or settled, is cracked throughout, is spalling across the surface or drains toward the building — those are base and drainage failures, and the only lasting fix is removal, base correction and a new pour.

Can you resurface my driveway instead of replacing it?

We generally do not recommend resurfacing or pouring over failing concrete. The overlay is only as stable as what is underneath, so the same movement and cracking come back, and the added height can create problems at garages, doors and drainage points.

Can you replace just part of the driveway or walk?

Often yes. If certain sections have failed and the rest is sound, we can remove and replace those areas and match them to the existing work as closely as possible.

What happens to the old concrete?

We break it out, load it and haul it away as part of the job, then address the areas disturbed during removal before the final walkthrough.