Homeowner guide
Concrete demolition in Montreal: how to remove a slab, walkway or stairs
A residential demolition usually takes 1 to 3 days. We cut, break in controlled sections, load and haul out — without damaging what should stay or cracking nearby structures.
When you need it
The signs to watch for
- Your concrete driveway is cracked, heaved or settled
- You are replacing an old patio, walkway, balcony or stair set
- You are demolishing a garage slab to redesign
- You are removing an old foundation or low wall
- You are preparing the lot for a new addition
How we work
Step by step
- 01We clearly identify what must be removed and what must stay intact.
- 02We check thickness, reinforcement (rebar, mesh), joints, buried services and equipment access.
- 03We protect adjacent structures: doors, steps, walls, edges, plantings and neighbouring foundations.
- 04We cut or break the concrete in controlled sections to limit vibration and dust.
- 05We load, sort and haul debris per the disposal plan (concrete recycling where possible).
- 06We clean the area and inspect the remaining base before the next step.
Cost and time
What affects price and timeline
Every job is different. Here are the concrete factors that move the estimate up or down. The fast quote tool accounts for these points.
What affects the price
- Thickness of concrete to demolish (4 in vs 12 in changes everything)
- Presence and density of rebar (heavy rebar takes more time)
- Total surface to remove
- Debris truck access (easy front yard vs narrow backyard)
- Disposal fee at landfill or concrete recycling site
What affects the timeline
- 1 to 2 days for a standard residential driveway or patio
- 3 to 5 days for a garage slab with heavy rebar or an old foundation
- Add 1 day if access is very limited
- Demolition possible year-round — less affected by freeze-thaw
Your side
What you prepare for us
- Photos of cracks, settlement or areas to keep
- Confirm allowed noise hours in your borough
- Clear vehicles and items near the work zone
Our rules
What we will never do
- Break concrete without checking that no pipe runs underneath
- Demolish without confirming permitted noise hours in your borough
- Let debris block neighbour access
- Continue if an undocumented buried service is exposed — we stop and evaluate
The result
What you end up with
- Concrete removed exactly per the approved scope
- Neighbouring structures (house, garage, fence) intact
- Debris hauled to the proper site, disposal proof available
- Base cleaned and inspected, ready for reconstruction
Frequent questions
Your answers
How long to demolish a concrete driveway?
A standard 200 sq ft residential driveway with mesh takes 1 day including haul-away. With heavier rebar, 1.5-2 days. Cost depends on thickness and debris truck access.
Is demolished concrete recycled?
When feasible, yes — we bring the concrete to a site that crushes it into reusable aggregate. For small volumes or concrete with too much rebar or contamination, it goes to landfill.
Do I need a permit to demolish a residential slab?
For minor demolition (patio, walkway, shed slab), usually no. For a foundation, attached garage or permanent structure, yes — a municipal demolition permit is required. We check with your borough.
Will you damage my house or my neighbour's?
Hydraulic hammer vibrations travel. We work in sections, saw-cut when needed to reduce vibration, and protect adjacent foundations. A healthy house does not get damaged.
How loud is it and at what hours?
Hammer demolition = 90-100 dB at 10 feet, comparable to a gas mower. We follow your borough's permitted hours (typically 7am-7pm weekdays, 9am-5pm Saturday, never Sunday).
What if you find asbestos or other contaminant?
For a residential slab or walkway, risk is near zero. If we uncover asbestos (rare in concrete but possible in old pipes exposed underneath), we stop, document, and coordinate with a certified subcontractor for safe removal. Extra cost documented before any further work.
See also
Other A1 methods
Concrete slab
An early-cracking slab almost always has a base problem, not a concrete problem. A standard residential pour is 1 to 2 days plus 7 days curing before walking and 28 days before heavy vehicles. Done right, a Quebec slab lasts 30 years or more.
Read the guide
Excavation
For an addition, pool, shed or garage, excavation usually takes 1 to 5 working days depending on depth and yard access. The golden rule: confirm buried services and soil stability before the first bucket-load.
Read the guideYour next step