Yes, in most cases a NZ homeowner can remove an old concrete driveway themselves using a hired electric or petrol breaker (also called a jackhammer or demolition hammer). It's hard, physical work, but it's generally not restricted work under NZ law — provided you're not disturbing underground services, dealing with reinforced concrete that's unusually thick, or triggering a building consent requirement. Read on for a practical guide to doing it safely and legally.
Check for Underground Services First
Before you swing a single blow, this is the most critical step. Buried beneath or alongside your driveway there may be:
- Water supply pipes (council or private)
- Stormwater and wastewater drains
- Electrical cables (including mains supply to your house)
- Gas lines
- Telecommunications cables
Contact Dial Before You Dig (0800 248 344) and your local council to identify service locations. Striking a gas line or live electrical cable with a breaker is potentially fatal. If you're unsure, hire a professional to pot-hole (hand-dig) to confirm depths before you start.
Do You Need a Building Consent?
Removing a driveway is generally considered minor work and is often exempt from building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004. However, always confirm with your local council before starting — rules can vary by district, and if you're also constructing a new driveway, that work may require consent or at least a vehicle crossing permit from the council. MBIE Building Performance has useful guidance on what work is exempt.
Choosing and Hiring the Right Breaker
For a standard residential concrete driveway (typically 100–150 mm thick), you have a few hire options:
| Tool | Best for | Typical hire period |
|---|---|---|
| Electric demolition hammer (15–20 kg) | Thinner slabs, tight spaces | Half-day to full-day |
| Petrol breaker (25–35 kg) | Thicker or reinforced slabs | Full-day |
| Excavator with hydraulic breaker | Large areas, reinforced concrete | Half-day minimum |
For most suburban driveways, a petrol or electric breaker from Bunnings or Mitre 10 tool hire, or a local hire company, will do the job. If the slab is heavily reinforced with mesh or rebar, or is thicker than 150 mm, consider hiring a mini excavator with a hydraulic breaker attachment — it's faster and far less physically demanding.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
WorkSafe NZ requires that you protect yourself properly. At minimum, wear:
- Safety glasses or goggles (concrete chips fly fast)
- Hearing protection (breakers are extremely loud — prolonged exposure causes permanent hearing damage)
- Steel-capped boots
- Heavy-duty gloves
- Dust mask rated P2 or better — concrete dust contains silica, which causes serious lung disease with repeated exposure
- High-visibility vest if working near traffic
Never operate a breaker alone — have someone nearby in case of injury.
Step-by-Step: Breaking Up the Slab
- Mark your work area and ensure bystanders (especially children) are well clear.
- Score the edges of the slab first, working around the perimeter.
- Work in sections — break the slab into manageable pieces (roughly 30–50 cm chunks) rather than trying to shatter the whole thing at once.
- Use a pry bar to lift broken pieces once cracked through.
- Watch for rebar or mesh — if you hit steel reinforcing, you'll need bolt cutters or an angle grinder to cut it free.
- Take regular breaks — breaker vibration causes hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) with prolonged use. Follow the hire company's guidance on maximum continuous use times.
Disposing of the Broken Concrete
Broken concrete (rubble) is heavy — a single square metre of 100 mm slab weighs roughly 240 kg. Plan your disposal before you start:
- Hire a skip bin — most skip hire companies accept clean concrete rubble, often at a lower rate than mixed waste. Confirm with your provider.
- Council transfer station — many NZ councils accept concrete rubble; check your local council's website for accepted materials and fees.
- Recycling — some NZ concrete recyclers will accept clean rubble and crush it for aggregate. Search locally for concrete recycling in your region.
- Reuse on site — broken concrete can sometimes be used as fill in non-structural applications, but check with your council first.
Don't underestimate the volume: a standard double driveway can produce several tonnes of rubble.
When to Call a Professional
Consider hiring a qualified earthmover or demolition contractor if:
- The slab is heavily reinforced or thicker than 150 mm
- You cannot confirm underground service locations
- The driveway is on a steep slope where machinery access is tricky
- You need the rubble removed quickly and don't have the physical capacity for manual work
- You're planning to replace the driveway and want the whole job quoted together
A professional earthmover will have the right machinery, insurance, and experience to get the job done safely and efficiently. You can find qualified local earthmoving contractors on tradedirectory.co.nz.
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