Concrete removal: do it yourself or hire a professional?

Small slabs can be a weekend job. Large or reinforced ones usually are not. Here is how to decide.

What doing it yourself involves

• Renting a breaker, jackhammer or equipment, plus delivery.
• Breaking the slab into pieces you can lift.
• Cutting or pulling out any steel.
• Loading and hauling heavy debris, usually in several trips, or renting a container with weight limits.
• Paying disposal fees by weight.

The risks

Cutting or breaking concrete makes silica dust, which is harmful to breathe, so wet methods and proper respirators matter. The pieces are heavy and the tools shake your hands and arms. Underground utilities can be struck. Slabs can also be thicker than they look.

When DIY can make sense

• A small slab, such as a few square feet, no more than about 4 inches thick.
• No reinforcement that you can see.
• Easy access and a nearby place to take the debris.

When to hire

• Large areas, thick slabs or reinforced concrete.
• Slabs attached to a building, stairs or a pool.
• Limited access, or where utilities may be buried.
• You do not have a way to move and dispose of the weight.

Compare the cost honestly

Add equipment rental, delivery, safety gear, disposal fees and your own time to the DIY side, then compare with a written quote. Use the calculator to see the weight and loads either way.