When thinking of removing or replacing a fence, it can be a daunting task. If you hire a company, do they remove the existing fence? We contacted multiple companies to make sure we knew the answer to that.
Fencing companies do remove old fences. Most of the time, companies will remove the old fence and will even haul the old fencing for an extra price, but it is important to double-check before choosing a contracting company.
Removing a fence should seem like a simple process, and it can be if you follow the proper steps and do your research.
Tearing Down a Fence–Is it Included in the Price?
The fence removal should be included in the price when you are getting a new fence installed, but it can depend.
If it is not included, there are many factors when it comes to the price of removing a fence like:
- How long is the fence?
- What material is the fence made of?
- What is the landscape like?
Each contracting company is different when it comes to its pricing and its policies, so it is important to do your research before choosing a company.
For example, if your fence is extremely large or not made of recyclable materials, there could be extra fees for fence removal.
How Much Does it Cost to Remove a Fence?
Typically, a fence installation costs anywhere from $1,500-$3,000 or $12-$15 per linear foot. If the removal is included in the cost, this pricing will give you an idea of what you will pay.
The cost depends on the contracting company. Some companies will not charge to take the fence down if it is only 100 feet in length, while others will charge regardless of the length.
The average cost to remove a fence is anywhere from $1-$2.50 per foot of fencing material. Some fences though can cost anywhere from $10-$12 per foot of fencing material. It all depends on the company and the material your fence is made of.
When removing a fence, it is also important to make sure to speak with the contracting company to make sure they will dispose of the fencing material. Sometimes it may cost extra for them to dispose of the fence.
The table below breaks down the cost by the material for one company so it is important to do your own research for your area and your specific fencing needs.
| Material | Removal Cost |
| Wood | Fence boards: $2.50-$3.50/per linear ft. |
| Vinyl | $2.50-$3.00/per linear ft. |
| Chain Link | $2.50-$3.00/per linear ft. |
| Metal | $2.50-$3.00/per linear ft. |
For each material, the contracting company may also charge for the fence post removal, which could be anywhere from $30-$100 each.
Tearing Down an Old Fence Without Putting Up a New One
Maybe you have decided you don’t want a fence at all, and you just need to get rid of the old one. Is that possible?
Most fencing companies will remove fencing without putting up a new one.
For example, we called T&A Decks and Fencing, a local Idaho company, and they said they will remove fencing without putting up a new fence–but it depends on the fence.
T&A said that if the fencing material could be sold because it’s in good condition, such as a chain-link fence, they will sell the fencing materials and split the cost of whatever they sold it for with the fence owner.
They also said that depending on the length of the fence they will not charge to take the fence down.
If you are in this position, just contact a local company or two to check out your options.
The Information You Need To Have To Get a Quote for Fence Removal
Since there is so much information regarding your fence removal, it is important to make sure you have all the information you need before you start calling contracting companies for quotes.
1. The fencing material
This may seem like a given, but it is important to know! First things first, you should know the exact material your fence is made of. And you need the specifics.
If you have a wooden fence, you need to know what type of wood. Is it pine or cedar? Is it cypress or redwood? Each material has a different removal process and it could impact the cost.
2. How the fence was installed
Another important thing to know before calling a contractor is how was your fence installed? Did you install it? Is there concrete holding the fence in the ground?
The more you know about the fence installation, the better the price estimate you can get from the contracting company.
It would be a headache if the contracting company came all the way to your home and did not have the proper equipment prepared to remove your fence.
3. The length of your fence
Since removal cost is sometimes done by the length of your fence, it is important to tell the contracting company ahead of time.
When getting an estimate for your fence removal, the contracting company will ask you the specific measurements of your fence.
It is important to have this information ahead of time so you can get the best price estimate.
4. What is the plan for the old fence materials?
This is an important thing to think about before your fence removal. What do you want with the old fence materials?
If you are planning on throwing it away, will you take care of that or do you want the contracting company to do it?
Would you like to sell the materials? Is it in good enough condition to?
Before getting your quote, it is important to decide because if you would like the contracting company to do it, it may be an extra cost.
How to Save Money on Fence Removal
Installing a new fence can be pricey, so it can be wise to look for cheaper ways to get your dream fence.
The first way to save on your fence installation is to start looking at how to cut costs with your fence removal.
A way to save money on fence removal is to do it yourself!
When you have a contracting company doing the removal for you, they charge per foot of fencing materials plus labor. When you do it yourself, you are saving the cost of labor!
It’s important to note is that when removing a fence, you may need specific equipment such as an excavator to remove the fencing materials. It could be to your benefit to hire a professional to remove your fence.