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Concrete Cutting / Removal project guide

Concrete Cutting / Removal contractors cost and hiring guide

Slab sawing, wall sawing, core drilling, breaking and haul-off, with scanning for embedded lines before the blade goes in.

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Key facts

Concrete Cutting / Removal numbers you can check

Rules and figures that come up in nearly every concrete cutting / removal quote, with the public source for each one.

FactWhat it saysSource
Silica limitConcrete cutting falls under OSHA’s silica rule: exposure is capped at 50 µg/m³ over an 8-hour average, with an action level of 25 µg/m³.OSHA, Respirable Crystalline Silica (29 CFR 1926.1153)As of September 2026
Wet cuttingOSHA Table 1 lists wet-cutting saws fed with continuous water as an exposure control that removes respirator requirements at any duration.OSHA, Respirable Crystalline Silica (29 CFR 1926.1153)As of September 2026
Slurry and washoutThe federal CGP prohibits discharge of concrete washout and slurry unless managed by an appropriate control; storm-drain discharge is not it.EPA, 2022 Construction General Permit (final permit)As of September 2026

Project guide

Hiring concrete cutting / removal contractors

Concrete cutting and removal contractors saw, drill, break and haul concrete on everything from a cracked patio to a doorway through a foundation wall. The tools are specialized: walk-behind slab saws with diamond blades for flat cuts, track-mounted wall saws for straight openings, core drills for round penetrations for pipe and conduit, and hydraulic breakers or robotic demolition machines for bulk removal. Wet cutting controls silica dust, which OSHA regulates tightly, but produces slurry that has to be contained and disposed of rather than washed into a storm drain. Because a saw cannot see rebar, post-tension cables, conduit or radiant tubing inside the slab, a GPR scan before cutting is standard practice on any structural or unknown concrete, and cutting a post-tension slab without one can be dangerous.

GradeLine lists 390 concrete cutting / removal contractors.Compare their work and equipment, then confirm availability and service area before requesting a quote.

Listed businesses are based in Rutland, Lincoln, Bonita Springs, League City, Bellingham, Ammon, though most crews travel well beyond their home city.

What concrete cutting / removal work costs

Slab removal typically runs $2 to $6 per square foot including disposal, so a 400 square foot patio costs roughly $1,000 to $2,500 to take out. Saw cutting is usually priced per linear foot, around $4 to $12 for a four to six inch slab and more for walls, while core drilling runs $50 to $200 per hole depending on diameter and depth. GPR scanning adds a few hundred dollars for a small area.

Ranges are national and approximate; regional labor rates, material prices and site conditions move them in both directions.

Common projects

  • Slab, driveway, sidewalk and curb removal with haul-off and recycling
  • Doorway, window and utility openings cut through walls and foundations
  • Core drilling for plumbing, electrical and HVAC penetrations, plus trench cuts in existing slabs

What affects a quote

  • Concrete thickness, reinforcement and whether the work is on a slab, a wall or overhead
  • Linear feet of cut or number and diameter of cores, depth, access and whether GPR scanning is needed
  • Removal weight, disposal or recycling fees, dust and slurry control, and patching afterward

Concrete Cutting / Removal FAQ

What does concrete cutting / removal work cost?

Slab removal typically runs $2 to $6 per square foot including disposal, so a 400 square foot patio costs roughly $1,000 to $2,500 to take out. Saw cutting is usually priced per linear foot, around $4 to $12 for a four to six inch slab and more for walls, while core drilling runs $50 to $200 per hole depending on diameter and depth. GPR scanning adds a few hundred dollars for a small area.

What should I share when requesting a concrete cutting / removal estimate?

Send photos, dimensions of the area or opening, the slab or wall thickness if known, what is on the other side, access for equipment and dumpsters, and what the space needs to look like when they leave.

What can change the cost of concrete cutting / removal work?

The main cost items are concrete thickness, reinforcement and whether the work is on a slab, a wall or overhead; linear feet of cut or number and diameter of cores, depth, access and whether gpr scanning is needed; removal weight, disposal or recycling fees, dust and slurry control, and patching afterward. A site visit helps the crew see which ones apply.

Do concrete cutting / removal projects need permits?

Cutting an opening in a load-bearing wall or a structural slab requires an engineer's detail and a building permit in most jurisdictions. Sidewalk and curb removal in the right-of-way needs a city permit, and slurry discharge to storm drains is prohibited nearly everywhere.

Find concrete cutting / removal contractors near you

Pick a state to see the concrete cutting / removal contractors listed there. Most crews travel well beyond their home city, so confirm the service area before requesting a quote.

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