Your Local Concrete Demolition Experts
Here’s the thing about old, damaged concrete in Hobart — sometimes trying to save it costs you more than starting fresh. We’ve worked on hundreds of demolition projects across Greater Hobart, from Sandy Bay to Kingston, and we’ve seen every type of concrete failure you can imagine. Driveways that crack from Tasmania’s freeze-thaw cycles, patios that sink because the ground underneath wasn’t compacted right, pool surrounds damaged by tree roots, and foundations that just weren’t built to handle our clay soils.
The way we see it, concrete demolition isn’t just about breaking stuff up and hauling it away. There’s proper planning involved, there’s safety considerations (especially around services like water and gas lines), and there’s doing the job in a way that prepares your site properly for whatever comes next. We’ve demolished concrete driveways on narrow side-access properties in North Hobart where getting equipment in was half the challenge. We’ve removed old house slabs on hillside blocks where one wrong move could’ve caused drainage problems. And we’ve worked in heritage areas where we had to be extra careful about noise and dust.
What We Demolish and Remove
How We Break Up and Remove Concrete
Jackhammers for Smaller Areas
For pathways, small slabs, and areas where we need precision, we use jackhammers. Both electric and pneumatic jackhammers work well for residential jobs where you don’t need heavy machinery. They’re also perfect for tight spaces and areas where a big excavator can’t reach.
Excavator-Mounted Breakers for Big Jobs
When you’ve got a full driveway or large slab to remove, excavator-mounted hydraulic breakers make the work go faster and smoother. These machines can break through thick, reinforced concrete that would take days to remove by hand. We’ve got the right sized excavators for different jobs — you don’t need a massive machine tearing up your lawn when a smaller one will do.
Choosing the Right Method
The method we use depends on what you’ve got and where it is. A small patio in a backyard with good access? Jackhammer might be perfect. A 100-square-meter driveway? We’re bringing the excavator. Limited access down a narrow side path? We’ll figure out what equipment fits and gets the job done without destroying your property getting there.
Saw Cutting and Core Drilling
Sometimes you need precise cuts rather than just smashing everything. Concrete saws let us make clean cuts for partial removal or when we’re working near structures you want to keep. Core drilling creates controlled penetrations and breaking points. We use wet cutting to keep dust down, which your neighbors will appreciate.
Safety First, Every Single Time
Service Location is Non-Negotiable: We always use Dial Before You Dig and verify service locations with detection equipment, as plans aren’t always accurate, especially on older Hobart properties.
Dust and Noise Management: We control dust with suppression techniques and minimize noise by working during reasonable hours and using quieter equipment wherever possible.
Protection and Safety Zones: Protective barriers, safety zones, and proper PPE keep people safe. Debris is contained to prevent hazards on your property or neighboring areas.
Professional Coverage: We carry professional liability insurance to ensure you’re protected, because safety and professionalism go hand in hand.
The Equipment We Use
We’ve got excavators fitted with hydraulic breaker attachments for large-scale work. These machines make quick work of thick slabs and big areas. For material handling and site cleanup, we use bobcats — they’re perfect for Hobart properties where space is tight.
Our jackhammer collection includes both electric and pneumatic models for different situations. Concrete saws with wet cutting keep dust under control while giving us precise cuts. Tip trucks haul away the broken concrete, and we’ve got compactors ready for base preparation if you’re installing new concrete after demolition.
Waste Removal and Disposal Done Right
Concrete Recycling Options: Whenever possible, broken concrete is crushed and reused as base material for roads or new construction, reducing landfill waste and sometimes lowering disposal costs.
Load, Haul, and Clean Up: We handle all concrete removal, hauling it to approved disposal sites and leaving your property clean—no rubble left behind.
Volume and Cost Estimation: We estimate the volume of concrete removed and include disposal costs upfront. If needed, we coordinate skip bins, though most concrete is removed with our trucks.
Environmentally Responsible Disposal: Crushed concrete can be reused as fill, and all disposal follows Tasmanian regulations using approved facilities.
Preparing Your Site for New Concrete
Complete Removal to Proper Depth: We fully remove old concrete to expose the base, assessing and repairing it as needed to ensure a solid foundation for new concrete.
Leveling and Grading: The site is leveled and graded for proper drainage, critical in Hobart’s climate, ensuring new concrete performs well over time.
Ready for Construction: We compact the base to the correct density and mark any services, leaving the site fully prepared for seamless new concrete installation.
Demolition and Installation Packages
One Contractor, Complete Project: We handle both demolition of old concrete and installation of new concrete in a single, coordinated project, ensuring full control over site preparation and quality.
Package Pricing Benefits: Combining services usually costs less than hiring separate contractors and speeds up the timeline with efficient project management.
Seamless Transition: Using the same crew for demolition and installation ensures accountability, smooth workflow, and a properly prepared site for the new concrete.
FAQs About Concrete Demolition in Hobart
Do I need a council permit for concrete demolition in Hobart?
Most residential concrete demolition in Hobart doesn’t require a permit — we’re just removing existing structures, not building new ones. However, if your property is in a heritage area like Battery Point or if the demolition is part of a larger renovation that needs approval, permits might be required. We’ll let you know during our site assessment if your specific job needs council involvement. For commercial demolition or jobs involving retaining walls, we always check with Hobart City Council first.
What's the best time of year to demolish concrete in Hobart?
Honestly, we demolish concrete year-round in Hobart because problems don’t wait for perfect weather. That said, summer and autumn (December through April) give us the most consistent working conditions with less rain interrupting the job. Winter demolition works fine, but wet conditions can make site access messier and cleanup takes longer when we’re dealing with mud. If you’ve got flexibility in timing, booking for late spring or summer means we’re less likely to have weather delays.
How much notice do you need to schedule a demolition job?
For most residential demolition work in Hobart, we can usually fit you in within one to two weeks of your initial call. Smaller jobs like pathway removal might happen even quicker if we’ve got a gap in the schedule. Larger projects or jobs requiring special equipment might need three to four weeks notice, especially during our busy season in summer. We’re pretty flexible though — if you’ve got an urgent situation, give us a call and we’ll see what we can do.
What if there's asbestos in my old concrete in Hobart?
Asbestos in concrete itself is rare, but we sometimes find asbestos sheeting or fibro underneath old slabs on older Hobart properties. If we suspect asbestos during our assessment, we’ll stop and get it tested before continuing with demolition. Licensed asbestos removal has to happen first — this is non-negotiable in Tasmania. We can coordinate the asbestos removal for you or pause our work while you arrange it separately.
Will the demolition vibration damage my house or neighbor's property?
Modern demolition equipment and proper technique minimize vibration impact, but there’ll always be some vibration when breaking concrete — that’s just physics. We’ve demolished driveways right next to homes throughout Hobart without causing damage to structures. If your property or your neighbor’s has pre-existing cracks or concerns, we’ll do a pre-demolition inspection and photograph everything for records. For heritage homes or properties with known structural sensitivities, we adjust our methods to reduce vibration even if it takes longer.
