Driveway & concrete demolition
Concrete Removal in Toronto
From our Thornhill base we handle concrete removal in Toronto, from shared driveways and laneway pads to backyard patios and pool decks. We arrange the utility locates, break the concrete out by hand or with a compact machine, and send every load to a recycler.
WSIB
Clearance on request
$5M
Liability insured
Licensed
Ontario contractor
Swept-clean
Debris hauled same day
Straight numbers
What it costs
Typical pricing
| Driveway removal | $2–$6 / sq ft | Single-car driveways typically $1,500–$3,500 all-in |
| Patio & walkway removal | $2–$5 / sq ft | Includes base scraping where needed |
| Interior slab / basement floor | $4–$8 / sq ft | Smaller equipment, dust-controlled |
| Pool deck removal | $2–$6 / sq ft | Priced lower bundled with pool removal |
Typical ranges. Thickness, reinforcement, and access determine final pricing. Every quote is a firm written total, never an hourly rate.
Scope
What's included
- Utility locates arranged before any breaking (required in Ontario)
- Saw-cut edges wherever removal meets concrete that stays
- Full breakout including rebar and mesh in scope
- Concrete hauled to aggregate recycling, not landfill
- Sub-base graded, ready for new pour, pavers, or sod
What we break out and haul away
Most Toronto concrete jobs are driveways, front walkways, back patios, garage pads and porch steps. We also take out pool decks and the odd interior slab. Cracked, heaved or sunken concrete that has been patched more than once is the usual reason people call.
We break it up, pull out any rebar or wire mesh, load it, haul it, and grade the ground underneath so it is ready for whatever comes next: a new pour, pavers, gravel or sod.
Toronto yards: shared drives, laneways and tight side passages
Many Toronto lots are narrow, and a lot of driveways are mutual: one strip of concrete shared with the neighbour. We saw-cut a clean line along the property side so your half comes out and theirs stays intact. Talk to your neighbour before booking, since the vibration and the noise reach their side too.
A laneway garage pad or a backyard reached only by a narrow side passage often cannot fit a machine. In that case the concrete is broken by hand with breakers and carried out in loads, which takes longer. Where a compact machine does fit, the job goes much faster. We check the path at the quote and tell you which one it will be.
If a bin or truck has to sit on a City street or in a laneway, the owner confirms with the City of Toronto whether a road occupancy or parking permit is needed. We plan the loading around whatever you get approved.
What is under the concrete
Under most slabs is a layer of gravel, and sometimes just fill. Buried gas, water, electrical and sewer lines can sit only inches below, which is why locates are required before we break ground in Ontario.
Tree roots can lift a slab and grow under it, so a mature tree near the pad changes how we work. If you want a new surface, the base may need to be re-compacted or topped up with fresh gravel. We note this at the quote so there are no surprises.
Where the concrete goes
Clean concrete goes to an aggregate recycler, where it is crushed and reused as road base and fill. It does not go to landfill, and it is not left in a pile at the curb. Recycling is our default on every job.
Thicker or older pours produce more weight than people expect, a single driveway can run to many tonnes. That is part of the quote, not an add-on. If you also have other building debris, see construction waste removal.
North York, Scarborough and across the city
We take concrete jobs across Toronto from our Thornhill base. See our Toronto service area page, plus details for North York and Scarborough, where wide driveways and large backyard patios are common.
Local answers
Concrete Removal in Toronto FAQs
How much does concrete removal cost in Toronto?
Exterior concrete removal typically runs $2–$6 per square foot, covering breaking, loading, haul-away and disposal. A single-car driveway is typically $1,500–$3,500 all-in. Interior slabs run $4–$8 per square foot. See concrete removal for the full price table.
Can you remove just my half of a shared driveway?
Yes. We saw-cut a straight line along the property edge so your side comes out and the neighbour's side stays in place. It helps to let your neighbour know before work starts.
Do I need a permit to remove a driveway or patio?
Flat-work like a driveway or patio often does not need a demolition permit on its own, but changes to the curb, grading or a boulevard crossing can trigger City requirements. The owner confirms the rules with the City of Toronto and files any application. If a bin or truck will sit on the street, the owner also confirms any road occupancy or parking permit.
What if my backyard is only reachable by a side passage?
We break the concrete by hand with breakers and carry it out in loads, or use a compact machine if one fits. Hand work takes longer and is priced for it. Send photos of the route and we will tell you at the quote.
What happens to the old concrete?
It goes to an aggregate recycler to be crushed and reused as road base and fill. Rebar and mesh are separated out first. Nothing is left at the curb.
How long does it take?
Once the locates are done, most driveways are broken, loaded and gone in a day. Patios and walkways often take a few hours. Locates add a few days of lead time, so plan on one to two weeks door to door.
Call for a written quote
Send the address and a few photos. We'll look at the job and give you a firm written quote.
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