An old patio is heavier than it looks. Concrete slabs, the mortar bed they sit on and the hardcore underneath can add up to several tonnes for a modest garden patio, and much of it is buried. Lifting slabs is straightforward, but breaking out a mortar bed or concrete base and digging out the sub-base is where the time goes, and where most DIY attempts stall.
This service covers both situations: lifting and removing an existing patio or path, or simply loading a pile of slabs and hardcore that has already been dug out. Sound slabs can often be stacked for reuse or resale, while broken slabs, concrete and hardcore go for recycling as aggregate. If the hardcore is clean, some of it may be worth keeping as a base for a shed or new path, which reduces the amount to remove.
What is included
- Lifting paving slabs, block paving, crazy paving and concrete paths
- Breaking out mortar beds and thin concrete bases where agreed in the quote
- Digging out and loading the hardcore sub-base to the agreed depth
- Loading slabs and hardcore already lifted by you or your landscaper
- Stacking sound slabs on site if you want to keep or sell them
- Carrying waste out through side passages or the house where needed
- Raking the area level and leaving it clear for the next stage
- A waste transfer note for each load
Who it is for
- Homeowners replacing an old patio with new paving or decking
- Gardens being returned to lawn or planting
- Clearing ground before an extension, garden room or shed base
- Landscapers who want to hand off the break-out and removal
- Piles of old slabs and hardcore left from a finished project
How much does it cost?
As a guide, removing a lifted pile of slabs and hardcore usually costs £150 to £350, and lifting and removing a patio of about 20 m² including the sub-base typically costs £400 to £900, depending on depth and access. See our full cost guide.
