This page provides general practical guidance and does not replace project-specific legal, engineering, planning, ecological, asbestos or waste advice.
The short answer
Concrete removal is quoted individually. The scope depends on what is being removed — a screed, a domestic slab or a structural foundation — and on the construction, access, proximity to retained elements and the required handover condition. There is no single price that applies across all concrete removal work.
Why it matters
Concrete removal is often underestimated. A lightly reinforced domestic slab is a different scope from a heavily reinforced raft or a foundation close to a retained structure. The method — whether breaker, excavator or hand tools — depends on access and proximity to retained elements. Waste volume and weight affect the removal route and cost. Understanding the differences helps set realistic expectations before a quotation is requested.
Information that may be needed
To prepare a written quotation, send: project postcode, photographs of the slab and access route, approximate area (length × width), known or estimated thickness, any information about reinforcement, proximity to retained buildings or boundaries, whether services are known or suspected beneath the slab, and the required finished condition. Drawings where available are useful.
What can affect the scope
Concrete type and construction are the primary variables. A screed is a thin finishing layer, typically 50–75 mm, and is a different scope from a structural slab or a foundation. Thickness and reinforcement affect the breaking method and waste volume. A useful quantity illustration: 10 m² of concrete at a confirmed thickness of 100 mm represents 1 m³ of concrete. This is a quantity illustration only — not a quotation, a vehicle-load allowance or an assumed site measurement. Actual volumes depend on confirmed dimensions and construction. Access for equipment and waste removal affects the method — a site where an excavator can work is a different scope from a restricted access area requiring hand tools and manual carrying. Proximity to retained buildings, boundaries and services affects the breaking method and the care required. Foundation removal is a separately assessed scope item — removal of the specified slab does not automatically include excavation, foundation removal, drainage work or preparation for new construction. These follow the agreed scope.
When specialist input may be needed
A structural engineer may be required where the slab or foundation relates to retained structures. A utility specialist should confirm service positions where services may be present beneath the slab. Where asbestos-containing materials are suspected in the slab or surrounding construction, a competent asbestos professional must assess before work begins.