Concrete Removal Cost in Chicago
Tearing out an old concrete driveway or patio in the Chicago area adds $1 to $5 per square foot, or about $1,200 to $2,800 on a typical driveway. Ask for removal as its own line, so you can see what you pay to get rid of the old slab before the new one goes in.
Reviewed by: Patrik Lorentzson, Editor, Chicago Prime Concrete · Last reviewed
General information only, not advice for your project. Chicago Prime Concrete does not advise on, design or manage projects; the contractor you choose does.
What does concrete removal cost per square foot?
$1 to $5 per square foot in the Chicago area. Some local contractors add $1–$2 per square foot for tearing out an old driveway, others $2 to $4 for demolition and hauling, and removal can reach about $5 per square foot at the top end.
What does tear-out add to a driveway replacement?
About $1,200 to $2,800 on a typical driveway. Full removal and replacement runs $8–$20 per square foot, which on a 640-square-foot driveway often totals $5,100–$12,800 or more. The new slab's own price is on the concrete driveways page.
Is removal already in the price I was quoted?
Not always. One local price of $13 to $16 per square foot includes tear-out, haul-away and sealing; another range of $7–$15 is for new placement, with removal extra. Ask for tear-out, haul-away and grading as separate lines before you weigh one quote against the ranges in the price guide.
Do I need a permit to remove concrete in Chicago?
Not for a like-for-like driveway on your lot, which the city lists as work without a building permit. The apron and public sidewalk are public way: removing and replacing them goes through the city's driveway permit rules, or through the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, where you can ask for the apron to be removed and replaced when you apply. See Chicago concrete permits.
Why does a small removal job cost so much per square foot?
Because of minimum charges: most contractors price small jobs at $600-$1,000 regardless of footage, since the crew and truck cost the same either way. Taking out a few sidewalk squares on their own can cost more per square foot than a whole driveway, so combine small pieces into one visit where you can.
Can a suburb pay part of the cost?
In Aurora it can. The city's Driveway Assistance Program lets owners request partial reimbursement for removing and replacing a badly deteriorated approach, capped at 50% of the paid unit price and up to $4.50 per square foot for a concrete approach. See the Aurora page.
Sources
- B.G. Concrete (Wood Dale): concrete driveway cost in the Chicago area (June 2026), September 17, 2026
- Plainfield Concrete Co.: concrete driveway cost in Illinois (April 2026), September 17, 2026
- Acme Concrete Raising & Repair: driveway replacement cost in Chicago, September 17, 2026
- ZBL Concrete & Design (Lockport): concrete pricing 2026, September 17, 2026
- B.G. Concrete (Wood Dale): sidewalk replacement cost (June 2026), September 17, 2026
- Chicago Department of Buildings: work that does not require a building permit, September 17, 2026
- Chicago Department of Transportation: driveway permits, overview and policy, September 17, 2026
- Chicago Department of Transportation: 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program overview (PDF), September 17, 2026
- City of Aurora: Driveway Assistance Program form (PDF), September 17, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How long does tear-out and replacement take?
Usually 2-3 days for a driveway, including tear-out, haul-away, forming, pouring, finishing and sealing, according to a Lockport contractor. A brand-new curb cut adds at least 30 days for the city permit.
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