Fence Removal Cost Per Foot
Independent research · Last reviewed September 2026 · Costs are 2026 planning estimates, not quotes
The short answer
Fence removal costs about $3–$8 per linear foot in 2026, posts and haul-away included — roughly $450–$900 for 150 ft of wood fence. Small jobs carry a $150–$400 minimum. The cost is mostly the concrete footings and the disposal, not taking down the panels.
Fence removal cost by material
| Fence | Per linear foot | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link | $3 – $5 | Fabric rolls up fast and the steel often has scrap value; the posts are the work. |
| Wood privacy / picket | $3 – $6 | Panels come down quickly; the volume of debris drives disposal cost. |
| Vinyl | $3 – $6 | Light and quick to dismantle, but few recyclers take PVC, so it goes to landfill. |
| Split rail / ranch rail | $3 – $5 | Little material per foot; posts are often direct-buried rather than in concrete. |
| Aluminum or wrought iron | $4 – $8 | Heavy sections and welded panels need cutting; scrap value can offset part of it. |
All of these assume posts set in concrete, which is how most residential fences are built and the reason removal is not a quick job. The panels or fabric come down in an hour or two; each post then has to be jacked or dug out with a plug of concrete on the end.
Fence removal cost by length
Totals for common runs, with the minimum job charge applied to short ones. These are removal and haul-away only — no new fence.
| Fence | 50 ft | 100 ft | 150 ft | 200 ft | 300 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link | $150–$400 | $300–$500 | $450–$750 | $600–$1,000 | $900–$1,500 |
| Wood privacy / picket | $150–$400 | $300–$600 | $450–$900 | $600–$1,200 | $900–$1,800 |
| Vinyl | $150–$400 | $300–$600 | $450–$900 | $600–$1,200 | $900–$1,800 |
| Split rail / ranch rail | $150–$400 | $300–$500 | $450–$750 | $600–$1,000 | $900–$1,500 |
| Aluminum or wrought iron | $200–$400 | $400–$800 | $600–$1,200 | $800–$1,600 | $1,200–$2,400 |
Replacing the fence at the same time? The fence cost calculator adds tear-out as a line when you tick “remove an existing fence”, using the same $3–$8 per foot range.
What pushes removal cost up or down
- Concrete footings. The single biggest variable. A 4x4 set in a 10–12 inch hole comes out with a plug of 50–150 lb of concrete; oversized gate-post footings are worse. Posts set in gravel or tamped soil come out far faster.
- Access. A crew that can back a trailer to the fence line is quicker than one carrying every panel and footing through a side gate.
- Disposal. Tipping fees vary widely by area. Steel chain link and iron can go to scrap and partly offset the job; treated wood and vinyl go to landfill.
- What's growing on it. Vines, roots and trees that have grown into the fence line can double the labour on the affected stretch.
- Bundling. Removal quoted with a replacement fence is usually cheaper than removal alone, because the crew is already mobilised.
Removing a fence yourself
Tear-out is one of the most DIY-friendly parts of a fence project — it rewards effort rather than skill. The costs are equipment and disposal:
- Dumpster: $300–$700 for a 10–20 yard roll-off, depending on your area and the weight limit.
- Post puller or fence-post jack: $30–$80 a day to rent. It pays for itself on the third post.
- Your time: a weekend for a typical back yard, most of it spent on the footings.
The saving is real on a long run and small on a short one — against a $150–$400 minimum charge, a 40 ft section is rarely worth the dumpster.
Local rules vary. Call 811 before you dig out any post — utility lines are often run along fence lines. If the fence is on or near the property line, confirm who owns it before taking it down; a shared boundary fence usually needs the neighbour's agreement. Fence rules and property lines.
Reading removal on a replacement quote
When you're comparing replacement bids, tear-out is where quotes quietly diverge. One contractor includes it, another lists it as an extra, a third assumes you'll handle disposal. Ask every bidder to show removal and haul-away as its own line, and check whether it covers pulling the footings or just cutting posts off at grade — the cheaper option leaves concrete in the ground exactly where the new posts need to go. See the full replacement cost.
Keep going
Frequently asked questions
- How much does fence removal cost per foot?
- About $3–$8 per linear foot with posts pulled and debris hauled away. Small jobs carry a $150–$400 minimum.
- How much does it cost to remove a 150 ft wood fence?
- Roughly $450–$900 with concrete-set posts and haul-away included.
- How much does it cost to remove a chain link fence?
- About $3–$5 per foot, roughly $600–$1,000 for 200 ft. The posts are the work.
- Is fence removal included in a replacement quote?
- Often, but not always — ask for tear-out and disposal as its own line on every quote. Bundled with a new fence, it usually costs less than on its own.
- Can I remove a fence myself?
- Yes. Budget $300–$700 for a dumpster and $30–$80/day for a post puller. The concrete footings are the hard part — and call 811 first.
- Who pays to remove a fence between neighbours?
- One wholly on your land is yours. A shared boundary fence is jointly owned, but only a minority of states make neighbours split the cost, and some require months of notice before removal — see neighbor fence laws by state and agree it in writing first.
Cost figures are independent 2026 planning estimates compiled from published industry pricing as of August 2026; they are not quotes and vary by region, access, footing size and disposal fees. FenceLevel is not a contractor.