How much does it cost to have an old fence removed and hauled away in Metro Vancouver?

Old fence removal and disposal in Metro Vancouver typically costs $3-$8 per linear foot, with most residential projects totalling $500-$2,000 depending on fence length, material, and how the posts were set. A basic wood fence removal on flat ground with accessible post holes is at the lower end, while chain-link with deeply set concrete footings or fences on sloped terrain with difficult access run toward the upper end.

The biggest cost variable is the post footings. Pulling out fence panels and rails is relatively quick work — two labourers can strip 100 feet of wood panels in an hour or two. But extracting posts set in concrete is the labour-intensive part. Each post with a concrete footing weighs 50-150 pounds when pulled as a unit, requires digging around the footing to break it free, and often needs a jack, chain, or small equipment to extract. If the old posts were set 2-3 feet deep in large concrete footings (as they should be in Metro Vancouver's wet soil), extraction can take 15-30 minutes per post. With posts every 8 feet on a 200-foot fence, that's 25 posts — potentially 6-12 hours of labour just for post extraction.

Some contractors offer a lower-cost option of cutting posts at ground level rather than extracting them. This involves cutting the post flush with the surface and leaving the concrete footing buried. It costs roughly half as much — $1.50-$4 per linear foot — but creates problems if the new fence posts need to go in the same locations. Buried concrete blocks new post holes and must be broken up or relocated. If you're replacing the fence with a new one in the same alignment, full extraction is worth the added cost.

Disposal fees add to the total. Metro Vancouver's transfer stations charge by weight and material type. Clean wood (no paint, stain, or treatment) can go to yard waste facilities, but pressure-treated lumber, painted wood, and metal fencing require different disposal streams. A typical residential fence removal generates 500-2,000 pounds of debris. Transfer station tipping fees at Metro Vancouver facilities run $110-$150 per tonne, and the contractor's truck and travel time add $100-$300 per load. Most fence removal quotes include disposal, but confirm this — some contractors quote removal only and charge disposal separately.

Chain-link fence removal is generally more labour-intensive than wood. The mesh must be detached from rails and tension bands, rolled up for transport, and all the steel posts with concrete need extraction. Chain-link also has terminal posts, line posts, top rails, tension wire, and various fittings that all need disassembly. Expect $5-$10 per linear foot for chain-link removal and disposal.

For the most cost-effective approach, schedule fence removal and new fence installation with the same contractor. Many fence companies offer reduced or even free removal when you're contracting them for a new fence, because they're already on-site with equipment and can handle demolition as part of the project mobilization. This can save $300-$800 compared to hiring a separate demolition crew.

Need help finding a fence contractor for removal and replacement? Vancouver Fence Builders can match you with professionals across Metro Vancouver who handle the full scope.

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