Fence removal is one of the easiest jobs to price accurately and one of the most commonly
mis-quoted, because most estimates ignore the two things that actually drive the cost: how the posts
are set, and how far the material has to travel to the truck. This is the full breakdown we use
across the five boroughs, Nassau and western Suffolk.
1. Start with material and length
| Fence | Removal + disposal |
|---|---|
| Split rail | $4–$8 per linear ft |
| Chain link, 4–6 ft | $5–$9 per linear ft |
| Vinyl / PVC | $5–$10 per linear ft |
| Wood stockade / board-on-board | $6–$12 per linear ft |
| Ornamental iron, masonry wall | Quoted per job |
Short runs price above these ranges because a 20 ft fence still needs a crew, a truck and a
dump ticket. Most companies, including us, apply a minimum — the same structure explained in
how junk removal is priced.
2. Decide about the footings
Three options, three prices:
- Cut at grade. Cheapest. Posts cut level with the ground, footings stay. Fine if
nothing is going back on that line. - Pull the footings. Necessary before a new fence, patio, driveway or lawn. Adds
labor per post plus concrete tonnage at disposal. - Saw-cut posts set in paving. The most expensive, because each post is cut out of
a slab and the slab gets patched or removed — see
concrete removal cost.
3. Add access
A Nassau backyard with a driveway is the cheap case. A Brooklyn or Queens rowhouse rear yard where
every panel is hand-carried through the house is the expensive one — that carry commonly doubles
the labor on the same footage. Co-op, condo and multi-family buildings add a certificate of insurance,
approved hours and sometimes elevator booking; requirements are covered in our
COI requirements guide.
4. Understand disposal
Dismantled fencing is construction and demolition debris, not household trash. It cannot go out with
DSNY collection (bulk pickup rules) and Long Island towns
treat it the same way. Transfer stations bill by weight, which is why concrete footings and waterlogged
wood raise disposal cost more than fence length does. Metal — chain link mesh, galvanized and
aluminum posts, gate hardware, iron sections — is separated and diverted.
5. Know what removal does not include
We remove and dispose; we do not install fencing. Fence installers do charge for teardown, so it is
worth comparing their removal line against a dedicated removal quote — especially on long runs
where disposal weight is the real cost. If the fence is coming out as part of a bigger job —
demolition, a gut renovation,
lot clearing, or a
full property cleanout — put it in the same scope and pay one
mobilization instead of two.
6. Getting an accurate quote in one message
Send: approximate run length, material and height, whether posts are in concrete, whether the
footings need to come out, and a photo showing how a truck would reach the fence. That is enough for a
firm number in most cases. We work Brooklyn, Queens,
Manhattan, the Bronx,
Staten Island, Nassau and
Long Island. Call (718) 587-0156.
The green waste side of a job like this — brush, branches, soil — is handled by our yard waste removal crew.
Fences and decks often come down together; see our deck removal service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost to remove a fence in NYC or on Long Island?
Most residential fence removals land between $5 and $12 per linear foot including disposal, with a job minimum on short runs. Material, post footings, access and disposal weight determine where in that range a specific fence falls.
Is it cheaper to have the fence company remove the old fence?
Sometimes, but not always. Installers price removal as an add-on and disposal is not their core business, so on long runs or footing-out jobs a dedicated removal quote is often lower. Get both numbers.
Do I need a permit to remove a fence?
Removal generally does not require a permit in NYC or on Long Island. Replacement is where rules bite — height, setback and corner-lot visibility limits vary by borough and village, so check before you rebuild.
Can I leave the old fence at the curb for pickup?
No. Dismantled fencing is C&D debris and is not collected by DSNY or Long Island town programs. It has to be hauled to a transfer station.
How much extra does removing concrete post footings cost?
It adds labor on every post plus concrete tonnage at disposal. On a long run with twenty or more concrete-set posts it can be a substantial share of the total, so ask for the price both ways before deciding.
Do you buy or credit the scrap metal from a chain-link fence?
We separate metal from mixed debris on every job, which lowers disposal tonnage and is reflected in the quote. On a small residential fence the effect is minor; on long commercial runs it is more meaningful.