Swapping out an old fence in Tacoma raises a question a lot of homeowners don’t think about right away: where does the old one actually go? Many assume they’ll need to tear it down and haul it off themselves before a crew can start on the new one, but that’s rarely how the job works in practice. Most fence contractors in the area build removal right into the replacement project, and pairing the demo with the new install almost always costs less than paying for two separate jobs. Goodrow’s Fence & Deck is a full-service fence company in Tacoma, WA, so removing your old fence during a replacement is simply part of what we do.
We take care of old fence removal on replacement projects across Tacoma and throughout Pierce County. Here’s a closer look at how the process actually plays out, what it tends to cost, and a few things worth knowing before you book your estimate.
What Old Fence Removal Actually Involves
Removing an old fence is more work than it looks from the outside. The above-ground parts, panels, boards, and rails, come down relatively quickly. The posts are where it gets harder. Most residential wood fence posts in Tacoma are set in concrete footings. Pulling a concrete-set post out of the ground requires equipment or significant manual effort, and damaged or rotted posts often break off at the soil line, leaving concrete collars behind that need to be dug out separately.
The material type affects the removal process in different ways. A rotted cedar fence comes apart in sections and is light to handle once it’s down. A chain link fence requires rolling up mesh, cutting tie wires, and dealing with steel posts that are often set more deeply and firmly. Ornamental iron fencing is heavy and takes longer to stage and load for disposal. Each material has its own physical challenges once you’re actually pulling it out of the ground.
The condition of the old fence matters too. A fence that’s been standing for 10 years and maintained reasonably well comes down with less effort than one that’s been deteriorating for 20 years with posts half-rotted below grade. Deteriorated material can break unpredictably, which slows down the demo process and sometimes requires a different approach to avoid damaging the surrounding area.
How Removal Costs Are Calculated in Tacoma
Standalone old fence removal, meaning a crew coming out specifically to tear down and haul away an existing fence, typically runs $3 to $8 per linear foot in the Tacoma market. That range accounts for the material type, post condition, site access, and disposal fees. The lower end applies to simple wood fence removal on flat, accessible lots. The higher end applies to heavier materials, concrete post collars, or locations with difficult access.
The disposal piece is a separate cost driver that often surprises homeowners. Fence materials, particularly treated wood and metal, can’t go in residential trash in Tacoma. They have to be hauled to a transfer or disposal facility. Hauling and dump fees in Pierce County typically run $100 to $500 per truckload depending on the load weight and material type. A standard 150-foot wood fence typically fills one to two truckloads once it’s broken down and staged.
Vinyl and chain link are particularly bulky on the disposal side. Vinyl panels don’t compact or break down the way wood does. Chain link mesh coils but takes up significant truck space per linear foot. Both materials can push disposal fees toward the higher end of the range. When removal is bundled with a new fence installation, the cost picture changes considerably. Industry data consistently shows that bundling demo with a new install drops the effective removal cost to approximately $1 per linear foot added to the installation price, compared to $3 to $8 as a standalone service. The crew is already on-site, the truck is already mobilized for the job, and the fixed costs of the trip are absorbed by the full project rather than by the removal alone.
What Happens to the Old Materials
Once the old fence is down, disposal options depend on the material type. Untreated or lightly treated wood can sometimes be recycled or repurposed. Old cedar in good condition occasionally has value as reclaimed material. More often, old fence wood goes to a transfer facility or a landfill that accepts treated lumber. Tacoma’s waste management facilities have specific requirements for treated wood, and licensed contractors are familiar with what each facility accepts.
Metal from chain link fencing and ornamental iron can often be recycled. Steel recycling facilities in Pierce County accept clean metal, and a good-condition metal fence may have some scrap value that helps offset a portion of the disposal cost. We sort recyclable material when we can to reduce what goes to landfill. Vinyl is the most challenging to dispose of responsibly. It doesn’t biodegrade, and many recycling facilities don’t accept PVC fence materials. Most vinyl fence waste in Tacoma ends up in landfill disposal. This is worth knowing upfront when comparing removal costs between material types.
Bundling Removal With a New Fence Installation
For homeowners replacing an existing fence in Tacoma, bundling the removal with the new installation is almost always the better approach. It costs less per linear foot than separate removal, requires only one scheduling coordination instead of two, and means the site is cleared and ready for new post installation as part of a single continuous workflow rather than two separate mobilizations.
Every replacement project we take on starts with an on-site estimate that includes the removal scope. We walk the property, assess the condition and material of the existing fence, and include removal in the quote so there are no surprises when the crew arrives. If the old fence is partially salvageable and the homeowner wants to keep certain sections, we can scope around them. Whether you’re replacing an old cedar fence, swapping out deteriorated vinyl fencing, or pulling out an old chain link perimeter to install something new, we handle the full scope under one contract. One estimate, one crew, one point of contact from start to finish.
What to Ask Before the Work Starts
Before any fence removal or replacement project in Tacoma, a few questions are worth getting clear answers on from any contractor you’re considering. Ask whether removal is included in the quote or priced separately. Some contractors quote only the new fence and leave removal as an add-on that surfaces later. A complete replacement quote should include both, with removal costs clearly stated on the estimate.
Ask how they handle disposal. Treated wood and metal have specific requirements in Tacoma. A contractor who plans to leave the old fence on-site for you to deal with separately is not providing a full-service replacement. Ask specifically about the old post footings. If concrete collars are left in the ground after removal, they can interfere with new post placement and require additional work before installation can begin. Confirm that the removal scope includes getting the full footing out, not just the above-ground portion.
Also confirm who handles permits if your new fence requires one. In Pierce County, permits are required for fence installations above certain heights and for all automated gate installations. We handle the permit process as part of every installation at Goodrow’s Fence & Deck, so homeowners don’t manage that piece separately. For automated driveway gate installations, that includes both the gate permit and the fence permit when the project involves both. If you’re also adding a deck or outdoor structure to the project, all of that gets scoped under one estimate with one crew handling the full scope.
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