Concrete Removal & Demolition in Seattle
Before new concrete can go in, old concrete has to come out. Seattle Concrete handles full-service demolition and removal for driveways, patios, sidewalks, foundations, slabs, and retaining walls across King and Snohomish counties. We break, haul, and dispose - most concrete is recycled at local aggregate facilities, reducing landfill waste.
Free on-site estimate · Call (206) 552-9998 or request a quote
What concrete removal covers
- Driveways and aprons: full tear-outs ahead of a new driveway, or removal of a single section where a curb cut or apron is being rebuilt.
- Patios, walkways, and steps: backyard slabs, front walks, stoops, and old hot tub pads.
- Garage and shop slabs: interior slabs being replaced or opened up for plumbing and drainage work.
- Foundations and footings: removal after a structure comes down, or partial removal for an addition.
- Retaining walls: failed or leaning concrete walls being replaced with a properly drained new wall.
- Partial removal and saw-cutting: cutting out damaged panels or making room for new work while keeping the rest of the slab.
Demo process and equipment
We start with a site assessment to plan equipment access, identify utilities (we coordinate with Washington 811 for locating), and determine whether the slab has reinforcement that affects cutting and removal strategy. Depending on site access, we use jackhammers, electric demolition hammers, skid steers, or compact equipment for confined backyards. Concrete is broken into manageable pieces, loaded, and hauled in a single visit for most residential projects.
Concrete removal cost in Seattle
| Surface type | Typical cost (per sq ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard slab (4 inch, no rebar) | $3–$6 | Driveway, patio, sidewalk |
| Reinforced slab (rebar or mesh) | $5–$9 | Rebar adds cutting and separation time |
| Thick commercial slab (6–8 inch) | $7–$12 | More volume, heavier equipment needed |
| Partial removal / saw-cut | $8–$15 | Per sq ft; precision cut to match edges |
Hauling and disposal are included in our quotes. We provide a fixed-price estimate after an on-site visit — no surprises when the truck shows up. Thickness, reinforcement, access, and total volume move the number most; the concrete demolition cost guide walks through each factor and how to compare removal bids.
Site access and equipment selection
Equipment access drives both cost and timeline. An open driveway with curb access removes in a fraction of the time of a confined backyard slab behind a 30-inch gate. We bring three classes of equipment depending on what the site supports: full-size skid steers with hydraulic breakers for open-access work, compact tracked loaders for medium-access yards (most Seattle residential lots), and electric handheld demolition hammers with hand-load wheelbarrows for tight access where no machinery fits. The right tool for a 40-by-12 driveway is the wrong tool for a 200-square-foot patio behind a Capitol Hill row house — we walk the site before quoting so the equipment plan is realistic.
Partial removal and saw-cutting
Not every job is a full tear-out. When only part of a slab is failing, or new work has to tie into existing concrete, the edge is saw-cut to full depth first so the break stops in a straight, clean line instead of running into the concrete that stays. Saw-cutting is slower and dustier than breaking, which is why it costs more per square foot, but it is the only way to get a neat joint between old and new concrete. Wet cutting keeps silica dust down. Common examples are cutting out a sunken driveway panel, opening a garage slab for a drain line, or trimming a patio back to make room for a planting bed.
Concrete disposal and recycling rules in Seattle
Broken concrete can't simply go in a dumpster in Seattle. Seattle Municipal Code 21.36.089 prohibits concrete, bricks, and asphalt paving from construction and demolition garbage containers, a ban in effect since 2012, and Seattle Public Utilities has since added metal, cardboard, new-construction gypsum scrap, and clean wood to the banned list. Recyclable material from Seattle jobsites has to go to a recycler instead: clean, separated concrete can go directly to a recycler that accepts it, while mixed loads must go to a facility on SPU's list of qualified C&D recycling facilities.
The ban has exceptions for material that is painted, contains hazardous constituents, is hard to separate (such as foam or wood stuck to concrete), or is present only in very small quantities. Separately, demolition projects and new construction or alteration projects valued at $75,000 or more that hold an SDCI building permit must file a Waste Diversion Report with SPU within 60 days of final inspection. Because that report is tied to building permits, it generally applies to building demolitions and larger remodels rather than a stand-alone slab removal. The full rules are on SPU's construction and demolition waste page.
Recycled concrete is crushed into aggregate and reused as base rock and fill for new construction. Rebar and mesh are separated during breaking or at the facility, so reinforced concrete is still recyclable. Slabs with paint, adhesives, asbestos-containing floor tile bonded to the surface, or chemical contamination fall outside the normal recycling stream and cost more to dispose of — we identify these on the site walk before quoting. For a homeowner's walk-through of these rules, read concrete removal and recycling in Seattle.
Permits and utility coordination
Private-property concrete removal generally does not require a permit in Seattle on its own; if you replace 750 sq ft or more of paving afterward, SDCI requires a grading permit. Right-of-way work — public sidewalks, curb cuts, driveway approaches in the SDOT ROW — requires a Street Use permit, which we file as part of the scope. Before any demolition that involves excavation below grade or near utilities, we coordinate locates through Washington 811 (free service, two-business-day notice). For projects on older Seattle lots with abandoned utility lines, septic systems, or oil tanks, we recommend a utility-locator survey before the demo bid is final — surprises mid-demolition are expensive to resolve.
Removal timeline and what comes next
Most residential driveway, patio, or walkway removals take about a day. Thick reinforced slabs, large areas, and backyards that need hand-breaking take longer. Removal is best scheduled shortly before the new pour or landscaping, because an exposed subgrade softens quickly in Seattle rain and may need extra work before new concrete goes down. When the slab is gone, the area is left graded and clear of debris; for what a thorough post-demo cleanup should include, see our guide to concrete cleanup and debris removal. If a new slab is going in, the next step is usually a driveway or patio installation on a freshly prepared base.
Frequently asked questions
What concrete removal services do you offer in Seattle?
Driveways, patios, sidewalks, foundations, slabs, retaining walls, and partial removals where new work meets existing concrete.
Do you haul the concrete away?
Yes — disposal and hauling are included. Broken concrete goes to a recycler rather than a landfill, which Seattle's disposal ban requires.
Can broken concrete go in a dumpster in Seattle?
Not in a construction and demolition garbage container. Seattle Municipal Code 21.36.089 bans concrete, bricks and asphalt paving from C&D garbage, so broken concrete has to go to a recycler or a qualified C&D recycling facility. Painted or contaminated concrete and very small quantities are exceptions.
How much does concrete removal cost?
Cost depends on thickness, reinforcement (rebar/mesh), access for equipment, and disposal volume. We provide a fixed-price estimate after an on-site visit.
Can you remove concrete in tight backyard access situations?
Yes — we use compact equipment and can hand-break sections where heavy equipment can't reach.
Do you handle the permits for concrete removal?
Most private-property removals don't require a permit on their own, but replacing 750 sq ft or more of paving afterward requires an SDCI grading permit. Work in the right-of-way or that affects drainage or utilities may. We confirm requirements before starting.
How long does concrete removal take?
Most residential driveway, patio or walkway removals take about a day. Thick reinforced slabs, large areas and backyards that need hand-breaking take longer, and the schedule is usually set so the new pour follows soon after.
Do I need to call 811 before removing concrete?
If the job involves digging, yes. Washington law requires excavators to request utility locates at least two full business days before excavation, so removal that includes excavating below the slab or working near buried lines should start with an 811 locate request.
Is concrete with rebar harder to remove?
Yes. Rebar and wire mesh have to be cut and separated as the slab is broken, which adds labor, and thicker reinforced slabs need heavier breakers. Reinforced concrete is still recyclable.
Service areas
We handle concrete demolition and removal across King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Thurston counties, including in Renton, Kent, Federal Way, Everett, and Olympia. See all service areas.
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