Choose the right scope
Concrete breaking and removal: what to confirm
Slabs, footings and masonry. Removal limits and the condition below the concrete need their own assessment.
Identify what leaves, what stays and the condition you need for the next stage. Share access restrictions, attached services and any known material concerns for the site assessment.
Concrete work begins by confirming what the slab or structure is, how thick it appears to be, whether it is reinforced and what may run below it. A patio slab, foundation section and interior basement floor do not call for the same equipment or load-out route. Nearby walls, fences, landscaping and services also influence how the work is divided into manageable sections.
The concrete photo bank shows broken slabs and masonry reduced for removal. That stage follows saw-cutting or breaking appropriate to the scope, with care around the edges that remain. Heavy material adds up quickly, so the position of equipment and the debris container matters on narrow or shared driveways.
Any digging requires current utility information and appropriate locates. If a bin or equipment must occupy the roadway, sidewalk, boulevard or public laneway, the City of Toronto requires a Street Occupation Permit. A container that remains entirely on private property is treated differently, but its placement still needs enough room for delivery, pickup and safe site access.
The written scope should state the limits of removal and the intended finish. It may call for slab removal only, removal of footings or foundations, or preparation for later excavation and rebuilding. Once the concrete is loaded out, loose debris is cleared and the area is left to the agreed handover condition.
How the work runs
- 01
Confirm the limits
Mark the concrete to be removed and the edges, structures or finishes that remain.
- 02
Review access
Plan equipment, bin placement and the route for heavy broken material.
- 03
Locate services
Confirm utilities and other concealed conditions before breaking or excavation begins.
- 04
Break in sections
Use equipment suited to the concrete, reinforcement, surroundings and working room.
- 05
Load and haul
Move broken concrete out without overloading the access route or work zone.
- 06
Prepare the area
Clear loose pieces and leave the removal area in the condition required for the next step.
From the work library
Concrete pieces on a lawn 
Broken concrete in an outdoor work area 
Concrete beside an exterior brick wall
Questions we get asked
- Can concrete be removed from a narrow Scarborough driveway?
- It may be possible, but equipment width, overhead clearance, neighbouring property and bin access must be reviewed on site.
- Where can the bin be placed?
- A bin can often stay on private property where delivery and pickup are safe. Occupying a street, sidewalk, boulevard or public laneway requires a City Street Occupation Permit.
- Do utilities need to be checked?
- Yes. Current locates and service information are important before breaking a slab or excavating below it.
- Are footings included with slab removal?
- Only when they are part of the written scope. Slabs, footings and foundation walls should be identified separately during the site visit.
Ready to book this job?
Tell us what needs to come down. We will arrange a site visit and prepare a written scope.