Fence replacement in St. Louis means taking out an old fence line completely, hauling away the debris and old post concrete, and building back what you need. A fence that has served its time, weathered the elements, or been damaged beyond economical repair gets a full tear-out and rebuild. St. Louis homeowners often face this choice when wood fencing reaches the end of its lifespan, when vinyl panels crack or warp, or when a gate operator fails and the entire entry needs rethinking. We handle the full cycle: removal, disposal, and new installation on the same line or a repositioned one, always working from your existing survey and respecting local setback and height rules set by your city or county. The work is concrete, the timeline is predictable, and the result is a fence that works.
Why Fence Replacement and Removal Matters in St. Louis
An old fence is not simply an eyesore. Posts rot at the ground line from moisture. Concrete footings shift and heave. Pickets and rails warp, split, or lose their fasteners. Chain link stretcher bars rust through. A fence in this condition costs more to repair than to replace, and piecemeal fixes only delay the inevitable. St. Louis homeowners living in established neighborhoods often inherit fences that have been in place for two decades or more. At that point, replacement is the honest call.
- Rotted posts and failing concrete make a fence unsafe and invite further damage to adjacent structures.
- Removal of old post concrete prevents the next fence from settling unevenly or leaning within a few seasons.
- A fresh fence can be repositioned to match current setback rules or to optimize your property line.
- New fencing materials (pressure-treated wood, vinyl, galvanized chain link) carry warranties and perform reliably for years.
Deciding to replace is the beginning of a better-performing boundary.
Key info: St. Louis and surrounding jurisdictions such as Kirkwood, Clayton, and Chesterfield enforce different setback and height rules. Before removal or replacement, check with your local building department and any HOA architectural guidelines. We work from your existing survey and install on the line you identify.
For more on what happens when a fence is damaged beyond simple repair, see our fence repair page.
How Fence Replacement and Removal Works in St. Louis
The process begins with a walk-through to understand what's on the ground, what needs to come out, and what will replace it. We call Missouri 811 before any digging to locate underground utilities. We remove all posts, rails, pickets, and hardware, then excavate the old concrete footings so the new fence sits on clean ground. Debris is hauled away. Once the fence line is clear, we set new posts in concrete at proper spacing, attach rails and pickets or panels to code, and ensure every gate swings freely and every corner is plumb.
- Call 811 for a utility locate before we begin digging any post holes.
- Remove all fence materials, posts, and old concrete footings down to undisturbed soil.
- Haul away all debris and dispose of it off-site.
- Set new posts in concrete at spacing that meets code and material specifications.
- Attach rails, pickets, panels, or chain link mesh according to the material type and your preference.
- Install gates with self-closing and self-latching hardware if needed, and test all hardware for smooth operation.
The entire job is done by the same crew from start to finish, so continuity and quality are consistent.
Example: A homeowner in St. Peters has a 40-year-old wood privacy fence with posts that have rotted at the base and concrete that has heaved. We remove the entire fence line, excavate the old concrete, and build a new pressure-treated pine fence with board-on-board construction, posts set in fresh concrete, and proper grading around the base to shed water away from the posts.
For details on fence post repair and replacement, visit our dedicated page.
Removal and Replacement Methods
| Approach | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full tear-out and rebuild | Remove all old fence materials, excavate concrete footings, haul away debris, and install new fence on the same line or repositioned. | Most common choice when the old fence has failed or is at end of life and you want a new material or style. |
| Removal only | Take out the fence and old concrete, haul away all materials, leave the property line clear and ready for a future build or landscape work. | When you need the fence gone but are not ready to rebuild, or when property is being prepared for sale or major renovation. |
| Replace with same material | Remove the old fence and rebuild with the same type (e.g., wood privacy fence with wood privacy fence, chain link with chain link). | When the fence line and material type work well for your property and you want continuity and familiarity. |
| Replace with different material | Remove old fence and rebuild with a new material (e.g., wood to vinyl, chain link to ornamental iron, wood to metal). | When you want lower maintenance (vinyl), better aesthetics (ornamental metal), or different performance (galvanized chain link). |
Fence Replacement and Removal Cost in St. Louis: What to Expect
Fence replacement cost depends on the length of fence being removed and rebuilt, the material you choose, and the condition of the ground and old concrete. A typical residential replacement project starts at around $2,400 for a smaller section of privacy fencing. Larger properties, longer fence lines, or difficult ground conditions (rocky soil, clay, or heavy old concrete) move the price higher. Chain link removal and replacement runs lower than wood or vinyl because the material is lighter and faster to install. Ornamental iron and custom gates carry a premium because of material cost and precision fitting.
Several factors affect the final bill. The length of the fence line is the primary driver: each linear foot adds material and labor. The material itself matters: pressure-treated wood costs less than vinyl, and vinyl less than ornamental metal. Access also counts. A fence in the backyard with a narrow gate requires more time to haul debris than one fronting a driveway. Old concrete that is deep or heavily reinforced takes longer to excavate. Ground conditions such as rocky soil or clay add to digging time.
The best move is to get 2 or 3 estimates from contractors who will walk the fence line, measure it, and quote based on what they see. Our free estimate includes a walk-through and a clear breakdown of what removal and replacement will cost for your specific property. For a full pricing overview, visit our pricing page.
Fence Replacement and Removal Near Me: What St. Louis Homeowners Should Know
Hiring the right contractor for fence removal and replacement means checking credentials, getting clear estimates, and understanding what is included. We are fully insured and hold membership in the American Fence Association, which means our crew follows industry standards for installation, safety, and material handling. We have been in business since 2011 and serve St. Louis, St. Charles, O'Fallon, Florissant, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Kirkwood, and surrounding areas.
When you are looking for a fence contractor near you, ask for proof of insurance, ask to see examples of completed work, and get references from recent customers. Verify that the contractor will call 811 before digging and will obtain any required permits from your city or county. If your property is in a master-planned community or has HOA restrictions, confirm that the contractor understands those rules and will design the fence to meet architectural guidelines. Some jurisdictions require a permit for fence replacement; others do not. A good contractor knows the rules for your area and will guide you through them.
Call us at (314) 668-1539 for a free estimate. We respond within 24 hours and can schedule a walk-through at your convenience. For more information and to request an estimate online, visit our contact page.
Fence Replacement & Removal in St. Louis: Pricing Guide
| Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy fence removal and replacement | Starting at $2,400 | Removal of old fence, excavation of concrete footings, new pressure-treated wood or vinyl fence installed with posts set in concrete |
| Chain link removal and replacement | Starting at $1,800 | Old chain link taken down and hauled away, new galvanized or vinyl-coated chain link installed with tension bands and stretcher bar |
| Ornamental iron or aluminum fence replacement | Starting at $3,200 | Removal of existing metal fence, new ornamental iron or aluminum fence with powder-coated finish, posts set in concrete with anti-sag bracing |
| Removal only (no rebuild) | Starting at $800 | Complete removal of fence materials, excavation and removal of old concrete footings, all debris hauled away, property line cleared |
| Complex or large-scale replacement | On estimate | Longer fence lines, difficult terrain, rocky soil, heavy or deep concrete, or material changes require on-site evaluation for accurate pricing |
| Free estimate and travel | No charge | Included in St. Louis and surrounding service areas, response within 24 hours, no obligation to book work |
Indicative pricing, the exact cost depends on square footage, finish, and site access. Free personalized estimate within 24h at (314) 668-1539.
