A new driveway starts with getting the old one out cleanly. We saw cut the edges, break out concrete, asphalt or gravel, haul it off and rebuild the base, so the concrete or paving crew shows up to a site that's ready for them.
Driveway Removal in Boise and the Treasure Valley
Driveways here take a beating. Freeze and thaw opens up cracks, tree roots lift slabs, and a lot of older driveways were poured on a thin base or none at all. By the time a homeowner decides to replace it, the driveway has usually been patched more than once.
We remove driveways in Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Star, Nampa and Caldwell. The work covers the tear out, the haul, and the ground prep. We don't pour concrete or lay asphalt, but we get the site ready for the crew that does.
Concrete, Asphalt and Gravel Driveways
Concrete
Concrete driveways are broken into pieces small enough to load, with rebar or mesh cut as we go. For more on slabs, patios and footings, see our concrete breaking and hauling page. We usually work from the street side back toward the garage, so the pieces closest to the cut lines come out last and with the least force. That keeps the garage slab and the sidewalk from taking a hit.
Asphalt
Asphalt comes up easier than concrete but tends to be thin and patched in layers. Old asphalt is often recycled into new paving material, so we keep it separate from dirt and concrete. Some older asphalt drives were laid right over an old gravel drive. If that gravel is clean and firm, part of it may be worth keeping as the lower layer of the new base.
Gravel
Gravel drives on acreage around Star, Middleton and Kuna get scraped off and graded. If the rock is clean and not mixed with clay, some of it can stay as part of the new base. Gravel that's been pushed down into clay for years usually has to go, since it won't drain or pack the way fresh base does. Long rural drives also tend to have soft spots at low points and gateways, which we dig out while the drive is open.
Saw Cutting at the Garage and Sidewalk
The edges matter most. Where the driveway meets the garage slab, there's usually a joint at the garage door, and that's where we cut. Cutting there keeps the garage floor from cracking when the driveway gets broken out. At the sidewalk, we cut along the nearest joint so the walk stays intact. A straight, clean edge also gives the concrete crew something solid to pour against.
The Approach and Curb Cut
The section between the sidewalk and the street, called the approach, usually sits in the public right of way. Removing, replacing or widening it, or cutting a new curb opening, often needs a permit from the city or whoever manages the street. The rules cover width, thickness and how it meets the curb. Check that before the job is scheduled so the approach isn't the part holding everything up. If you're only replacing the driveway on your side of the sidewalk, we cut at the sidewalk joint and leave the approach alone, which often keeps the permit question off the table.
Fixing the Base Underneath
Once the old driveway is gone, we can see why it failed. Common culprits are topsoil left under the slab, soft clay, and a base that was never compacted. We dig out the bad material, bring in gravel base and compact it in layers. Then we set the grade so water drains toward the street and away from the garage. If the soil is bad, see our soil removal page. For asphalt, our paving job site preparation covers what paving crews need.
Widening a Driveway or Adding an RV Pad
Removal is a good time to add width. Common requests are a third parking spot, a side pad for a trailer, or an RV pad running back along the house. We dig out the new area, base it to match, and tie it into the drainage. HOAs in Meridian, Eagle and Star often have rules on driveway width, RV parking and materials, so get approval first. For new driveways and pads, see our excavation for driveways page.
Planning for the Days Without a Driveway
Once the old driveway is out, you won't be able to drive into the garage until the new one is in and ready for traffic. Your concrete or paving contractor can tell you how long that is for their material. Pull the cars you'll need out of the garage before we start, and check whether your city or HOA limits how long cars can sit on the street. Trash and recycling carts, mail and package drop-offs may need a new spot for a few days too.
Handing Off to the Concrete or Paving Crew
We like to talk with your concrete or paving contractor before we start. They'll tell us the finished elevation, base depth and slope they want. We grade to those numbers so they can set forms or pave without extra dirt work. Timing matters too. Exposed base can soften in a spring rain, so we try to finish close to their start date.
Why Hire Ultimate Excavation LLC
Our reviews mention quick bids and getting to the job before the rains came, which is how driveway work should go. We're an Idaho registered contractor (RCE-65836) with a 5.0 rating on Google, and Tanner works with your concrete or paving crew directly. Call (208) 697-2429 or request a free estimate.
