Old fencing in Central Virginia gets beat up fast. Pressure-treated wood rots, chain link rusts, vinyl sections crack after a freeze-thaw cycle or two, and metal posts lean. When it’s time to replace the fence — or just clear the property — the removal part is often underestimated. This guide covers exactly what fence removal costs in Charlottesville in 2026, how the process works for different fence types, what to do about those concreted posts, and how to decide whether calling a crew is worth it over doing it yourself.
If you’d rather skip the reading and just get a quote, call 434-230-4551. We serve Charlottesville and all of Central Virginia. Open 24/7.
Fence Removal Pricing in Charlottesville, VA
Fence removal pricing has two main drivers: linear footage and fence type. A 200-foot privacy fence with 6-foot posts set in concrete is a very different job from a 200-foot chain link fence with steel T-posts pushed into the soil.
🪓 Wood Privacy Fence (6-foot, pressure-treated)
$3 – $6 / linear footThe most common fence type in Central Virginia. Heavy panels, posts typically set 24–36 inches in concrete, and significant lumber volume. A 100-foot section typically runs $300 to $600. A full-yard perimeter of 200–300 feet runs $600 to $1,800 depending on post depth and concrete volume.
What makes it harder: Fully concreted posts, rotten wood that breaks apart rather than coming off cleanly, posts at unusual depths common in older installations.
🔗 Chain Link Fence
$2 – $4 / linear footChain link is faster to remove than wood — panels roll off once the tension wires and ties are cut. Steel posts set in concrete take the same time to deal with as wood posts. Most chain link fence removal runs $200 to $400 per 100 feet. Metal components go to metal recycling.
What makes it harder: Very old chain link that’s rusted shut and won’t unroll, gates and complex corner assemblies, heavily concreted terminal posts.
◻️ Vinyl and PVC Fence
$2.50 – $5 / linear footVinyl panels lift off their post sleeves quickly once the caps are removed. Posts in vinyl fences are usually steel or aluminum inside the vinyl sleeve, set in concrete. The panel removal is fast; the post extraction is the same as any other fence type. Vinyl fencing generates significant volume in the truck for its linear footage.
What makes it harder: UV-degraded vinyl that shatters during removal, unusual post spacing, integrated post-and-panel systems that require more deconstruction.
🔴 Aluminum and Metal Ornamental Fence
$2 – $4.50 / linear footOrnamental metal fences with picket-style panels typically bolt to posts and are relatively fast to remove. Welded sections require cutting. All metal goes to metal recycling. Most ornamental fence removal runs $200 to $450 per 100 feet.
🧆 Split Rail and Farm Fence
$1.50 – $3.50 / linear footSplit rail and farm-style post-and-rail fencing is among the simplest to remove — rails pull off, posts are usually not concreted. The main variable is how much fence there is. Rural properties in Albemarle, Nelson, and Louisa Counties often have hundreds of feet of split rail or farm fence that generates multiple truck loads of material.
The Post Problem — What to Do with Concreted Posts
The single biggest cost and time variable in fence removal is what’s underground. Posts set in concrete footings are the norm for privacy and security fences — and extracting those footings is where most of the labor goes.
✂️ Option 1: Cut at Grade
Cut the post off flush with or slightly below the soil surface using a reciprocating saw or angle grinder. The concrete footing stays in the ground. Faster, lower cost, and often fine for areas that will be replanted or covered with a new fence. Not ideal if you’re laying sod or need a truly clean grade.
🪕 Option 2: Full Extraction
Dig around the concrete footing, loosen with a digging bar, and extract the full post and concrete block. Leaves a clean hole that closes up properly. Takes 20–40 minutes per post depending on depth and concrete volume. Adds $30–$60 per post to the overall job cost.
When you call us, we discuss which option makes sense for your specific situation. If you’re having a new fence installed right after removal, the installer will often want full extraction anyway — so it’s better to plan for it upfront than to try to do it in stages.
Step-by-Step: How a Professional Fence Removal Works
- Site walkthrough and price confirmation. We walk the fence line, note post depth (we probe if unknown), identify any underground utilities near the post line, and confirm the price. No loading until you approve.
- Before you dig: Call 811. In Virginia, you must call 811 before any digging to have underground utilities marked. If you’re doing full post extraction, we need this done before we arrive. It’s free and takes 2–3 business days for marking. We remind all customers about this when the fence is along a property line.
- Panel removal first. We work down the fence line removing panels, pickets, or chain link fabric from the posts. For wood fences this means prying or sawing boards. For chain link, cutting ties and rolling fabric.
- Post removal. Using the agreed method (cut at grade or full extraction), we work post by post down the line. Concreted posts are extracted with digging bars and leverage.
- Hardware and accessories. Gate hardware, tension wire, post caps, rails — everything comes off and goes to the truck.
- Load and haul. All materials loaded into the truck. Wood to appropriate disposal, metal to recycling.
- Site clear, you pay. We leave the area clear of fencing material. No deposit, payment when done.
DIY Fence Removal — When It Makes Sense
Fence removal is one of the more DIY-able demolition jobs compared to, say, hot tub removal or shed demolition. Here’s an honest assessment:
Good candidates for DIY fence removal
- Short runs under 50 feet with posts that are NOT concreted
- Chain link with T-posts simply driven into the soil
- Split rail or farm fence with no concrete
- You have a pickup truck or trailer to haul the materials
- You have the time and a helper
When professional removal is worth the cost
- Any fence over 100 feet — the volume becomes significant fast
- Posts set in concrete (the most common situation for privacy fences)
- You don’t have a vehicle large enough to haul the debris
- The fence is rotted and needs careful handling to avoid injury from rusty nails and splinters
- You need it done this week, not three weekends from now
A full-yard privacy fence removal generating three or four truckloads of pressure-treated lumber is a multi-day DIY project that also requires multiple dump runs at the Ivy MUC (fee-based). Professional removal at $600–$1,200 often represents solid value compared to the time investment.
What Happens to the Fence Materials After Removal
Pressure-treated wood cannot be burned (it contains copper compounds that are toxic when burned) and has specific disposal requirements. We take it to the Ivy Materials Utilization Center or another appropriate facility for commercial disposal — not a standard landfill. Sound, untreated lumber gets separated for potential reuse. Chain link, steel posts, and all metal hardware go to metal recyclers. We do not haul everything to a single dumpster location when a better route exists for the materials.
Combine Fence Removal with Other Yard Work
Fence removal pairs naturally with:
- Yard debris haul — brush, branches, and overgrowth that accumulated along the fence line
- Shed demolition — many properties with old fences also have a shed to remove
- Estate and property cleanout — if you’re clearing a rural property, fencing is often part of the scope
- Construction debris — if you’re doing a full yard renovation
Combined jobs almost always land at a better price tier than scheduling separately. Call 434-230-4551 and tell us everything that needs to go in one conversation.
Fence Removal Service Area in Central Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions — Fence Removal
How much does fence removal cost in Charlottesville?
Most residential fence removals in Charlottesville run $300 to $900. Wood privacy fences run $3 to $6 per linear foot. Chain link runs $2 to $4 per linear foot. Full post extraction adds $30 to $60 per post. Call 434-230-4551 with your fence length and type for an estimate.
Do you remove the fence posts and concrete footings?
Yes. We offer both options: cut at grade (post is cut flush with the soil, concrete stays underground) or full extraction (the entire post and concrete block is dug out and removed). We discuss which is better for your situation before starting.
Do I need to call 811 before fence removal?
If we are doing full post extraction, yes — Virginia law requires calling 811 before any digging to have utilities marked. This is free and takes 2 to 3 business days. We remind all customers of this requirement before scheduling post extraction work.
Can you remove just a section of fence?
Yes. We scope the job to exactly what you need removed. If you are keeping the sides and only removing the rear section, we work only the area you specify.
How long does fence removal take?
A 100-foot fence typically takes 2 to 4 hours with standard post extraction. A 250-foot perimeter fence may take a full day. We give you a realistic time estimate when you call with the fence details.
Ready to get that old fence out?
Call 434-230-4551 with the fence length and type. We give you a firm estimate in minutes. Serving Charlottesville and all of Central Virginia. Open 24/7.