Best Fencing CharlotteBefore a new fence goes up, the old one has to come down. Sounds simple enough. But getting rid of an old fence is more work than most Charlotte homeowners expect -- especially the concrete footings buried in red clay. A full fence replacement means ripping out posts, breaking up concrete, hauling debris, and figuring out where it all goes before a single new post goes in the ground.
Here's what that actually looks like and what you'll spend.
When Removal Is Necessary
Not every fence project starts with a demolition day. Sometimes you can build the new fence right next to the existing one and tear the old one down after. But usually, the old fence needs to go first:
- The new fence follows the same line, so the old posts are literally in the way
- The old fence is leaning or falling -- a hazard that needs to go regardless
- A survey showed the property line is off and the new fence goes somewhere different
- Old concrete footings have to come out before new posts can go in the same spots
If the new fence is going in a completely different spot and the old one isn't in the way, some contractors will leave it standing and pull it down after. But most homeowners want it gone first. Cleaner site, full access to the fence line, and no chance of a crew accidentally damaging something they're trying to work around.
Step-by-Step Removal Process
Step 1: Remove the Pickets and Rails
The easy part. Pry pickets off with a flat bar, or back out the screws. Pop the rails off by knocking out brackets or pulling nails. A typical 8-foot section comes apart in 10 to 15 minutes. For 150 linear feet, you can strip all the pickets and rails in 2 to 3 hours.
Stack the boards as you go. Pressure-treated wood that's still solid might be worth keeping for another project. Anything rotten or cracked goes to the disposal pile.
Step 2: Extract the Posts
Now it gets hard. Fence posts in Charlotte are almost always set in concrete -- a chunk 8 to 12 inches across and 18 to 30 inches deep surrounding the base of each post. You can't just yank the post out. The whole concrete footing has to come with it.
Rock the post back and forth to break the bond between concrete and clay, then pull the whole thing out. A high-lift jack (farm jack) clamped to the post gives you the leverage you need. For the really stubborn ones, wrap a chain around the post and pull with a truck or skid steer -- though that'll tear up the yard.
Charlotte's clay makes this worse than it should be. The clay grips concrete like a glove. During dry spells, it shrinks a bit and the posts come out easier. After a week of rain? The clay swells and locks those footings in tight. If you can choose your timing, do this in late summer or early fall when the ground is driest.
Step 3: Deal With the Holes
Now you've got holes. One every 6 to 8 feet along the fence line. If new posts go in the same spots, the existing holes might work but usually need widening or deepening. If the new posts go elsewhere, you need to fill the old holes.
Don't just shovel loose dirt back in. It'll settle and leave sunken spots in your yard for years. Fill in 6-inch layers, tamping each one down before adding the next. Gravel works too and settles less than dirt.
Disposal Options in Charlotte
You've got a pile of old fence boards, posts, and concrete. Now what?
Mecklenburg County landfill. Foxhole Landfill in south Charlotte takes construction debris, fence materials included. They charge by weight -- about $40 to $60 per ton, which works out to $30 to $50 for a typical residential fence load. You'll need a truck or trailer to get it there.
Junk removal services. 1-800-GOT-JUNK, local Charlotte haulers, guys on Facebook Marketplace with trucks -- they'll come load everything and take it away. Runs $200 to $400 depending on volume. More expensive than hauling it yourself, but you don't burn a Saturday at the dump.
Curbside bulk pickup. Charlotte does periodic bulk pickup for residential customers. Fence debris usually counts, but you have to cut everything to 4-foot lengths or shorter and bundle it. Check the city schedule -- pickup runs once or twice a month depending on your zone.
Your fence contractor. Most Charlotte fence contractors will tear out the old fence as part of the new installation. Easiest option by far. They show up, demo the old fence, haul it off, and build the new one. Removal shows up as a line item -- $2 to $5 per linear foot, so $300 to $750 for a typical 150-foot fence.
What to Check Before You Remove
Is it actually on your property? You'd be surprised how many Charlotte fences sit on or past the property line. Some are fully on the neighbor's land. Rip out a fence that's partly theirs and you could be on the hook to replace it. Check property pins or get a survey before you start swinging a hammer.
Is it a shared fence? If the fence sits right on the property line, your neighbor may have ownership rights too. North Carolina doesn't require maintaining a shared fence, but tearing one down without a heads-up is a great way to start a neighbor war. Talk to them. If they want it to stay, build your new fence on your side and leave the old one alone.
Utilities? Call 811 before digging out footings. Yeah, the fence was already there. But pulling a concrete footing disturbs way more soil than the original hole. A gas line, cable line, or irrigation pipe running close to a post could get clipped during extraction.
Gate hardware? Automatic opener, intercom wiring, electrical connections -- disconnect all of it before removal. Don't yank out gate posts with live wires still attached.
Cost to Remove a Fence in Charlotte
- DIY removal (no disposal): Free, but 8-16 hours of labor for 150 linear feet
- DIY removal + landfill disposal: $30 - $50 for dump fees plus truck/trailer rental
- Professional removal only: $2 - $5 per linear foot ($300 - $750 for 150 ft)
- Professional removal as part of new installation: $1.50 - $4 per linear foot (often discounted when bundled with new fence)
Most Charlotte fence companies roll removal into their new fence quotes. Bundling is almost always cheaper than hiring separate crews. The install team is already on site with the equipment, the truck, and the labor -- tacking on demo just makes sense.
Timeline
A professional crew (2 to 3 guys) can demo a 150-foot fence in half a day -- 3 to 5 hours. Doing it yourself? Block out an entire weekend. Hand tools and one or two helpers are just slower.
Concrete footings are the bottleneck. Posts set with minimal concrete (or just tamped dirt) pull out in minutes. Big, deep footings? Each one can eat 15 to 30 minutes. Multiply that by 19 to 25 posts on a 150-foot fence, and the footing work alone runs 5 to 12 hours.
Need the old fence gone and a new one up? Call to get matched with a Charlotte crew that handles demo and install together.