Concrete Removal in Burnley

What can be taken out

Removal is usually part of a bigger job — the old base comes out, the ground is prepared, and a new base or slab goes in. It can also be carried out on its own where an area is simply being returned to garden.

• —Old shed and garage bases
• —Cracked or sunken slabs
• —Concrete paths
• —Concrete patio areas
• —Small driveway sections
• —Paving and flags
• —Unwanted hardstanding
• —Redundant steps and edgings

Why replacing beats covering over

Laying new concrete over an old cracked base carries the old problems forward and raises levels, which can cause drainage issues against the house.

Taking it out means the sub-base beneath can be inspected, made good and compacted properly. It is more work, but it is the reason the new slab lasts.

Breaking out and access

How the concrete is broken out depends on its thickness, whether it is reinforced and what access there is. Reinforced slabs take longer, and mesh has to be cut and separated.

In rear gardens the broken material usually has to be barrowed through a side path or alley to a skip or grab-loading point.

Waste handling

Broken concrete is heavy, and volumes add up quickly. Removal, waste handling and access are assessed as part of the quote rather than estimated blind, because they can be a significant part of the job.

Occasionally material can be crushed down and reused within the site build-up where it is suitable — that is judged on what comes out.

What we need to know

• —Rough area of concrete
• —Approximate thickness if known
• —Whether it appears reinforced
• —What is underneath, if known
• —Access route and width
• —Whether new work will follow
• —Photos of the area
• —Project postcode

Cost factors

Area and thickness, reinforcement, access, barrow distance, disposal volume and whether new concrete work follows all affect the price. Doing removal and replacement as one job usually works out more straightforward than splitting them.