What should we budget for removing and hauling away an old concrete driveway in Nepean before pouring new?

Concrete removal is a significant cost that homeowners in Nepean and across Ottawa often underestimatee when budgeting for a new driveway. Here's what to expect.

Removal Costs Breakdown

For a standard two-car concrete driveway (roughly 45 to 55 square metres / 500 to 600 square feet), complete removal and disposal typically runs $2,000 to $4,500 in Ottawa. Breaking that down:

• Demolition labour: $3 to $6 per square foot. Standard 125mm-thick residential concrete can be broken with a skid steer equipped with a hydraulic breaker. Thicker slabs (150mm+) or reinforced concrete with rebar takes significantly longer.
• Hauling and disposal: $1.50 to $3 per square foot. Concrete is heavy — a 500-square-foot driveway at 125mm thick produces roughly 15 tonnes of debris requiring multiple dump trailer loads.
• Disposal fees: Ottawa-area concrete recycling facilities charge $15 to $30 per tonne. Trail Road landfill area recyclers and private facilities in the west end near Nepean accept clean concrete.

Rebar or wire mesh adds 20-30% to demolition time because the steel must be cut and separated. Extra thickness — some older Nepean driveways from the 1970s and 80s were poured 200mm thick — means more breaking, more weight, more loads. Limited access is a big factor; if the driveway is narrow or there are obstacles preventing equipment access, hand-breaking with jackhammers replaces machine work and costs roughly double. Landscaping protection — if you have established gardens or trees adjacent to the driveway, careful demolition to avoid damage adds time and cost.

What About the Base Underneath?

Once the old concrete is removed, the granular base underneath needs assessment. In many Nepean properties built in the 1970s through 1990s, the original base may be inadequate by current standards — too thin, poorly graded, or contaminated with clay migration over the decades. Budget an additional $1,000 to $2,500 for base remediation (excavation of bad material, import and compaction of new Granular A) if needed. Your contractor should assess this before quoting the new pour.

Can Old Concrete Be Recycled on Site?

Some contractors offer on-site crushing where the old concrete is broken down and used as part of the new granular base. This can save $500 to $1,500 on disposal and import costs, but it only works if you have space for the crushing equipment and the old concrete is clean (no contaminants, heavy oil staining, or excessive rebar). It's more common on larger projects.

Total Budget Picture

For a complete driveway replacement project in Nepean including removal, base prep, and new pour, budget $14,000 to $24,000 for a standard two-car driveway. The removal portion represents roughly 15-25% of the total project cost. Getting removal quoted separately from the new pour helps you understand where your money is going.

Get competitive removal and replacement quotes from concrete contractors listed on Ottawa Driveways who service the Nepean area.

---

Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Homeupgraders
• RenoMotion Inc.
• The Deck Store Inc
• Driveway Sealing Ottawa
• M.O.T. CONSTRUCTION INC.