Fence Removal and Disposal in Toledo

Published 2026-10-16 · iHaul Toledo

An old fence that is leaning, rotting, rusting, or missing sections is not doing its job anymore — it does not keep anything in or out, it looks bad, and it may be violating city property maintenance codes. Fence removal is one of the more straightforward demolition projects, but the approach depends entirely on what the fence is made of and how the posts are set. A wood privacy fence with concrete-set posts is a very different job from a chain link fence with driven posts.

Types of fences and how they come apart

Wood fences

Wood privacy fences and picket fences are the most common residential fence type in the Toledo area. They are built with vertical pickets or panels attached to horizontal rails, which are attached to posts set in the ground. Removal involves:

  1. Remove the pickets and panels. Pickets are nailed or screwed to the rails. If they are screwed, they can be unscrewed and removed intact (useful if you want to reuse or donate the wood). Nailed pickets are usually pried off with a pry bar or the claw of a hammer. Pre-built panels (6x8 or 8x8 sections) that are screwed or bracketed to the posts can be removed as whole sections
  2. Remove the rails. The horizontal rails (usually 2x4 lumber) are nailed or screwed to the posts. Remove them after the pickets are off
  3. Remove the posts. This is the hardest part. Wood fence posts are typically 4x4 pressure-treated lumber set 2 to 3 feet deep in concrete footings. The concrete footing is usually 8 to 12 inches in diameter and weighs 40 to 80 pounds. Options for removing posts:
    • Dig them out. Dig around the post and concrete footing with a shovel until you can rock the post back and forth and pull it out. Labor-intensive but requires no special tools
    • Use a post puller or farm jack. A high-lift farm jack (Hi-Lift jack) with a chain wrapped around the post can pull the post and footing straight up out of the ground. This is the fastest manual method
    • Cut them off. If removing the concrete footing is not necessary (the area will be covered by new fence, landscaping, or will not be dug), cut the post off at ground level with a reciprocating saw. The concrete footing stays buried and eventually is not a problem unless someone needs to dig in that exact spot

A typical residential wood fence (100 to 200 linear feet) generates a significant amount of debris — the wood alone fills a truck bed or a 10-yard dumpster. Old pressure-treated wood should not be burned — the chemicals used to treat it (historically CCA, now ACQ or CA-B) are toxic when burned. Dispose of pressure-treated wood with regular construction debris at the landfill.

Chain link fences

Chain link fences are faster to remove than wood because the mesh is continuous and the components separate easily:

  1. Remove the tension wire and ties. The chain link mesh is attached to the top rail and posts with aluminum ties (small bent wires). Cut or unbend the ties to release the mesh. Remove the tension wire that runs along the bottom
  2. Roll up the mesh. Once released from the ties, the chain link mesh can be rolled up like a carpet. One person holds the end while another walks the fence line releasing ties and rolling. A 50-foot section of 4-foot chain link rolls into a manageable bundle
  3. Remove the top rail. The top rail is a series of connected pipes that run through loop caps on top of each post. Disconnect the rail sections (they are joined by internal sleeves) and pull them out
  4. Remove the posts. Chain link posts are metal pipes (usually 1-5/8 or 2-3/8 inch galvanized steel) set in concrete. The removal options are the same as wood posts — dig, pull, or cut at grade. Chain link posts are easier to pull because the round pipe gives a better grip for a jack or puller

Chain link fence materials are all metal and have scrap value. Separate the mesh, posts, rails, and hardware and take them to a scrap yard. A typical residential chain link fence produces 100 to 300 pounds of scrap steel.

Vinyl fences

Vinyl (PVC) fences are assembled from interlocking components — panels slide into routed posts, and rails snap or slide into brackets. Removal is essentially disassembly in reverse:

  1. Remove caps from post tops
  2. Lift panels up and out of the post channels (some are glued at the bottom — a sharp utility knife or a pry bar breaks the adhesive)
  3. Remove posts from the ground — vinyl posts are usually sleeved over an internal metal post or set in concrete like wood posts

Vinyl fence components are not accepted in standard curbside recycling. They are PVC plastic, which some specialty recyclers accept. If the vinyl is in decent condition, it may be reusable — vinyl fence panels and posts hold up well and can be reinstalled elsewhere.

Before removing the fence

  • Property lines. Confirm the fence is on your property. Fences are often built on or very near the property line, and the fence may belong to a neighbor or be a shared fence. If you are unsure, check your property survey or have the line marked before removing anything
  • Shared fences. If the fence sits on the property line and was built jointly or benefits both properties, talk to the neighbor before removing it. Removing a shared fence without notice can create disputes. Toledo does not have a specific shared-fence ordinance, but Ohio property law considers shared boundary fences as jointly owned unless proven otherwise
  • Utilities. Call 811 (Ohio Utilities Protection Service) before digging out fence posts. Underground utilities — gas lines, cable lines, irrigation — can run along fence lines. The utility locate service is free and marks buried lines with spray paint within a few business days
  • City requirements. Some neighborhoods in Toledo have HOA rules requiring fences. If you are removing a fence and not replacing it, check whether your subdivision or neighborhood has a fence requirement. If the fence is being removed for replacement, Toledo may require a permit for the new fence depending on height and location
  • Gates and hardware. Remove gates first — they are the heaviest individual component and swing freely, which makes them a safety hazard during demolition. Remove hinges and latches if you plan to reuse them

DIY fence removal

Fence removal is a manageable DIY project for most homeowners:

  • Tools needed: Pry bar, hammer, drill or impact driver, reciprocating saw (for cutting posts), shovel, hi-lift jack or post puller (optional but saves significant effort), heavy gloves, safety glasses, wheelbarrow
  • Time estimate: One to two people can remove 50 to 75 linear feet of wood fence per day, including post removal. Chain link goes faster — 100 or more feet per day because the mesh rolls up quickly. A typical backyard fence (150 to 200 feet) is a weekend project
  • Disposal: Rent a 10-yard dumpster or make trips to the Lucas County Transfer Station. If the fence is chain link, take the metal to a scrap yard instead — you will get paid for the scrap rather than paying for disposal

Professional fence removal

A crew removes the fence and all associated debris — posts, concrete footings, and all — in a few hours:

  • Post removal with equipment. Pulling posts and concrete footings by hand is the most time-consuming part of DIY fence removal. A crew with a skid steer or a truck-mounted post puller extracts posts in seconds each
  • All materials hauled. Wood goes to the landfill, metal goes to recycling, vinyl is disposed of properly. No dumpster rental needed
  • Post holes filled. The holes left by removed posts are filled with soil and tamped. If a new fence is going in, the old holes are evaluated — sometimes they can be reused for new posts if the spacing works
  • Timeline: most residential fence removal jobs are completed in 2 to 4 hours

Fence removal in Toledo

iHaul Junk Removal handles fence removal throughout Toledo and surrounding areas — wood, chain link, and vinyl fences of any length. We remove the fence, pull the posts, and haul everything away. The area is left clean with post holes filled.

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