Concrete Removal Cost (2026): Per Square Foot, Sourced

Removal cost per square foot

Source	Price per sq ft	Notes
Fixr, Jan 2025 [1]	$2–$6	Average about $4. Unreinforced $2–$4, with rebar $4–$6. Typical job $500–$5,000, average $1,856
HomeAdvisor [2]	$2–$6	Urban areas $6–$14. Typical job $542–$1,746, average $1,139
Homewyse, May 2026 [3]	$11.47–$13.99	National average estimate for removing a slab

The sources disagree by about three times. Fixr and HomeAdvisor agree with each other; Homewyse’s estimate is far higher. We show both rather than averaging them.

Removal cost by size

Area	At $2–$6 (Fixr, HomeAdvisor)	At $11.47–$13.99 (Homewyse)
100 sq ft	$200–$600	$1,150–$1,400
400 sq ft	$800–$2,400	$4,590–$5,600
640 sq ft	$1,280–$3,840	$7,340–$8,950

What moves the price

Reinforcement. Rebar or wire mesh slows breaking and hauling. Fixr’s reinforced range is $4–$6 [1].
Location. HomeAdvisor puts urban jobs at $6–$14 per sq ft [2].
Thickness and access. Thicker slabs and places a machine can’t reach take longer.
Disposal. Ask whether hauling and dump fees are in the quote.

Replacing a driveway or patio? Add removal to the new slab’s price. See resurfacing for when you can skip removal altogether.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to remove a concrete driveway?

For 640 sq ft, about $1,280–$3,840 at $2–$6 per sq ft (Fixr, HomeAdvisor). Homewyse's $11.47–$13.99 per sq ft would put it at $7,340–$8,950.

Does rebar make concrete removal more expensive?

Yes. Fixr puts unreinforced concrete at $2–$4 per sq ft and reinforced concrete at $4–$6.

Why is Homewyse so much higher?

We don't know its exact assumptions. Its estimates are built from contractor labor, equipment and overhead for a small example job, which tends to run higher per square foot. Treat it as the upper end and get quotes.