What makes concrete driveway removal its own job
- Residential driveway slabs are typically 4in thick; ones rated for heavy vehicles or RV parking run 6in+, which changes saw depth and breaker time.
- The apron and curb cut sit in the public right-of-way — touching them needs a separate city/VDOT land-use permit on top of the demolition permit.
- Wire mesh or rebar reinforcement (common in driveways poured after ~1990) roughly doubles cut-and-lift time versus unreinforced slab.
- Clean concrete is recycled into crushed aggregate and priced by tonnage, which is cheaper disposal than mixed construction debris.
- A standard two-car driveway is usually a one-day removal, including haul-off.
- Access is the swing factor: a truck and skid steer need a path to the slab, and tight urban lots force smaller equipment and more passes.
What drives the price
Square footage, slab thickness, reinforcement, equipment access, and whether the apron/curb cut is included.
We don't quote this sight-unseen — every job starts with a free on-site look and a written, itemized estimate, so you can see what each part of the work costs instead of a lump sum.
Permits and disposal
Demolition permit for the slab; separate right-of-way permit if the apron or curb is touched. Concrete goes to a recycler as aggregate, billed by tonnage.
How long it takes
Most residential driveways are a single day.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to remove my driveway?
For the slab on your own property you'll generally pull a demolition permit. If the work touches the apron or curb cut in the public right-of-way, that portion needs a separate land-use permit from the city or VDOT — we handle both.
Can you remove just part of the driveway?
Yes. We saw-cut a clean joint so the section that stays has a straight, sound edge to pour against — that's why partial removals get scored before they get broken.
What happens to the old concrete?
It goes to a recycling facility to be crushed into aggregate rather than to a landfill, which lowers the disposal tonnage you're billed for.
Serving Newport News and the Peninsula
Newport News Demolition handles concrete driveway removal in Newport News and the surrounding communities of Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Poquoson, Gloucester. Call (757) 208-1127 or request a free quote and we'll schedule a walk-through.