
When a fence reaches the end of its life in Arlington, you face a choice: repair what's salvageable or start fresh. Fence replacement in Arlington means pulling out the old structure, hauling it away, and either installing new fencing or leaving the space open. The Blackland Prairie clay beneath Arlington's mature neighborhoods swells with spring moisture and cracks hard in summer drought, pushing posts out of plumb and cracking concrete footings. Wind-driven hail and spring thunderstorms strip boards and bend metal. After 15 to 20 years, most wood fences fail at the post line where moisture sits, and vinyl becomes brittle in the Texas heat. We tear out what's failed, haul it away, and rebuild with materials that hold in this climate, or remove the fence entirely if that's what your property needs.
Why Fence Replacement and Removal Matter in Arlington
A failing fence is more than an eyesore. Posts that tip, rails that sag, and pickets that split create a weak perimeter that offers no privacy and no security. In Arlington's master-planned communities near Mansfield and Grand Prairie, HOA covenants often require a maintained fence or its complete removal if it violates architectural standards. On older properties in South Arlington, a rotted cedar privacy fence can pull neighboring posts into the line, creating disputes and costly repairs. Removal clears the way for a new build to code, or opens the yard entirely if that's the better choice.
- A failing fence loses structural integrity over 15 to 20 years as moisture rots posts at the ground line and concrete footings crack in freeze-thaw cycles.
- Removal and replacement bring the fence into compliance with current Arlington city codes and HOA architectural standards.
- Complete tear-out eliminates liability if a weakened fence falls on a neighbor's property or injures someone on your land.
- Starting fresh lets you choose materials suited to North Texas weather, such as pressure-treated pine, vinyl, or galvanized chain link.
Deciding between repair and replacement requires an honest assessment of what's worth saving and what will cost more to patch than to pull and rebuild.
Local example: A 1970s cedar privacy fence in Arlington's South Arlington neighborhoods typically lasts 12 to 15 years before posts rot and rails warp. A 1990s board-on-board cedar fence in a Mansfield HOA community may hold 18 to 20 years if stained regularly, but HOA rules often require removal or replacement rather than ongoing repair. Check your deed restrictions and call the Arlington building department at (817) 459-6400 to confirm setback, height, and material rules for your address.
For detailed guidance on repair versus replacement, see our fence repair page to understand when a post replacement or rail repair makes financial sense.
How We Handle Fence Removal and Replacement in Arlington
Our process starts with a site walk to assess what's sound and what must go. We locate all utilities using a Texas 811 call (required by law before digging) and identify any protected trees or HOA restrictions. If repair is viable, we quote that first. If replacement is the better spend, we show you the cost side by side. We then schedule removal, haul away all debris, and build the new fence to your specifications and local code.
- We call Texas 811 to locate buried utilities before digging any post holes, protecting gas, electric, water, and sewer lines.
- We remove the old fence completely, including posts set in concrete, and haul all wood, metal, and debris off-site.
- We verify setback, height, and material rules with the Arlington building department and any HOA architectural committee.
- We set new posts in concrete tamped to code depth, space them per local requirements, and install rails and pickets or panels level and plumb.
- We clean the site and leave no debris or disturbed soil behind.
The entire job typically takes 3 to 5 working days depending on fence length, post spacing, and material choice.
Real example: A homeowner in Southlake with a 200-linear-foot wrought-iron fence on a 0.5-acre lot had three ornamental posts that had shifted in the clay soil. Rather than reset all three, we removed the fence, had a licensed land surveyor confirm the property line, reset the posts on a proper concrete base, and rehung the ornamental panels. Total time: 4 days. For similar work with gate installation, see our gate installation and repair page.
Removal and Replacement Methods
| Approach | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full removal and rebuild | Tear out the old fence completely, dispose of all material, and install new fencing to current code and your choice of material. | Fences past 15 years, HOA compliance, material upgrade, or a complete yard redesign. |
| Removal only | Pull and haul the fence, remove posts and concrete, and leave the property open or ready for future fencing. | Homeowners who want to open the yard, reduce maintenance, or defer a new fence build until later. |
| Selective replacement | Remove only the sections that have failed or are out of code, and repair or replace those runs while leaving sound sections intact. | Partial damage, storm-damaged sections, or when budget requires phased work. |
| Material upgrade | Remove a wood fence and replace it with vinyl, chain link, or ornamental metal that requires less maintenance and lasts longer in North Texas heat and clay. | Cedar or pine fences that need frequent staining, or when durability and low maintenance are priorities. |
Fence Replacement and Removal Cost in Arlington: What to Expect
Fence replacement in Arlington starts at around $2,400 for a 100-linear-foot removal and rebuild in standard materials like pressure-treated pine or chain link. The final cost depends on fence length, material choice, post spacing, site access, and whether the old concrete footings can be dug out or must be broken up. Vinyl and ornamental metal cost more than wood or chain link but last longer and require less maintenance in this climate. Getting 2 to 3 estimates is smart because site conditions vary widely across Arlington's older neighborhoods and newer subdivisions.
- Removal and disposal cost roughly $8 to $15 per linear foot depending on how deep the posts are set and whether concrete is present.
- New fence installation adds $15 to $35 per linear foot for wood privacy fencing, $12 to $25 for chain link, and $25 to $50 for vinyl or ornamental metal.
- Site prep, utility locates, and permit fees (if required by your jurisdiction) are added to the base estimate.
- Travel is included in Arlington and surrounding areas with no separate mileage charge.
Visit our full pricing page for detailed breakdowns by material and service type, or call (682) 277-0410 for a free, no-obligation estimate within 24 hours.
What to Look for When Hiring a Fence Removal and Replacement Contractor Near Me in Arlington
Choosing the right contractor means checking insurance, understanding local permit rules, and getting multiple estimates. In Texas, fence installation is not state-licensed, but your local jurisdiction may require a permit depending on fence height, material, and proximity to property lines. Insurance and workers' compensation cover protect you if someone is injured on the job or property is damaged. References and a clear, written estimate are your safeguards against scope creep and surprise costs.
- Verify that the contractor is fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation cover, and ask for a certificate of insurance before work begins.
- Check whether Arlington or your neighborhood HOA requires a permit for fence removal or replacement, and confirm the contractor understands local setback and height rules.
- Ask for references from recent jobs in Arlington, Mansfield, or nearby communities, and follow up with at least two to three homeowners.
- Get a written estimate that lists materials, labor, disposal, and any permit or utility-locate fees, and compare at least two other quotes before deciding.
- Confirm that the contractor will call Texas 811 before digging and will handle any protected trees or easements on your property.
Contact us at our contact page or call (682) 277-0410 to discuss your fence removal and replacement project. We are AFA Member Installers and have been serving Arlington and the Mid-Cities since 2015.
Fence Replacement & Removal in Arlington: Pricing Guide
| Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Removal only (100 linear feet) | Starting at $1,200 | Pull old fence, remove posts and concrete footings, haul all debris. Cost varies with post depth and concrete volume. |
| Removal and rebuild in pressure-treated pine (100 linear feet) | Starting at $2,400 | Complete tear-out, new posts set in concrete, 6-ft privacy fence. Material and labor included, permits separate if required. |
| Removal and rebuild in vinyl or chain link (100 linear feet) | Starting at $2,800 | Removal, new posts, vinyl panels or galvanized chain link. Vinyl requires no staining; chain link suits rental or commercial properties. |
| Ornamental metal removal and rebuild (100 linear feet) | Starting at $4,500 | Removal of wrought-iron or aluminum fence, new posts, reinstall or new ornamental panels. Requires careful handling and site prep. |
| Complex or large-scale job | On estimate | Jobs over 300 linear feet, multiple material types, protected trees, or difficult site access require an on-site visit before pricing. |
| Free estimate and site assessment | No charge | Response within 24 hours. Call (682) 277-0410 to schedule. Includes utility-locate coordination and code-compliance review. |
Indicative pricing, the exact cost depends on square footage, finish, and site access. Free personalized estimate within 24h at (682) 277-0410.