
If your fence has finally lost the fight against Spokane's freeze-thaw cycles, windstorms, or just two decades of Inland Northwest sun, fence replacement in Spokane is the practical next step. We pull the old line out, haul it away, and set a new one that actually holds in this ground. That means dealing with glacial outwash gravel and basalt shelves on the South Hill, and hard, rocky soil out toward Five Mile Prairie and Mead. Older lots in Browne's Addition and Hillyard often have narrow side yards and alley access, so tear-out has to be planned, not improvised. We quote repair against replacement side by side so you can see real numbers before you commit. Same crews, honest guidance, no national franchise script.
Why Fence Replacement & Removal Matters in Spokane's Climate and Soil
Spokane fences live a hard life. Posts set in concrete get heaved by deep freeze-thaw cycles, wet snow loads lean panels over, and fall windstorms push whole runs out of plumb. The dry, hot summers bake unfinished cedar and pressure-treated pine until pickets crack and rails cup. On top of that, thin rocky soil over basalt means posts often sit shallow or in rock pockets, which is where rot starts at the ground line.
- Posts rot at the soil line after years of moisture, especially where drainage is poor or the concrete collar holds water.
- Freeze-thaw heaving loosens posts and racks gates out of square, which stresses hinges and latches.
- Windstorms and pine limbs knock panels down or bow rails, and patching a leaning run rarely fixes the root cause.
- Older cedar and pine fences in Hillyard, Logan, and Lincoln Heights hit the end of their service life at the same time as the posts.
When two or three of these show up at once, replacement usually costs less over ten years than repeated repairs.
Key info: On the South Hill and in Manito, we often find six-foot cedar privacy fences with posts that rotted at the base while the pickets still looked fine. Replacing just the posts can buy a few years, but if the rails and pickets are also weathered, a full rebuild is the better spend.
For the city's own rules on fences, setbacks, and permits, start with the City of Spokane before you dig.
How We Handle Tear-Out and Rebuild on Spokane Properties
We start by walking the fence line with you and calling in 811 utility locates before any post hole is opened. Then we decide what comes out and what stays. Sound posts and rails get reused when they make sense, and everything else gets pulled, loaded, and hauled away. On tight lots in Spokane Valley and Millwood, we plan access for trucks and trailers so we don't tear up lawns or block alleys.
- We mark the existing line and confirm it against your survey, since only a licensed land surveyor can determine a boundary.
- We call 811 utility locates and wait for the marks before digging.
- We remove old panels, posts, concrete footings, and hardware, then haul it all off site.
- We set new posts in concrete, tamped or concrete-set depending on soil and load, and brace gates with anti-sag hardware.
- We install rails and pickets, racking or stepping panels on slopes, and finish with caps and trim where specified.
Every job ends with a walk-through so you can check gate swing, post plumb, and the cleanup before we pull out.
Key info: A Liberty Lake homeowner had a white vinyl fence that looked fine until the posts started leaning after a wet snow. We pulled the old vinyl, reset posts into the gravelly soil with deeper footings, and reused the panels that were still sound. That saved the cost of a full material package.
If you are weighing a material change, see our vinyl and PVC fence installation page for what holds up in newer subdivisions.
Replacement and Removal Methods We Use
| Approach | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full tear-out and rebuild | We remove posts, concrete, panels, and hardware, then install a new fence on the same line. | Fences with rotted posts and failing panels. |
| Selective replacement | We reuse sound rails and pickets, replace bad posts and sections, and match materials. | Fences with isolated storm or rot damage. |
| Removal only | We pull the fence, concrete footings, and debris and haul everything away. | Homeowners clearing a line before a new build. |
| Wood to vinyl swap | We remove old wood and install vinyl panels and posts on the same footprint. | Subdivisions in Mead and Indian Trail. |
| Chain link to privacy upgrade | We remove galvanized chain link and set a new wood or vinyl privacy line. | Alley and driveway lines in older neighborhoods. |
Fence Replacement Cost in Spokane: What to Expect
Most full replacements start around $2,400 for a basic run with tear-out and haul-away, and the number climbs from there. Linear footage is the biggest driver, followed by material choice, post spacing, and how hard the ground is to dig. A rocky South Hill lot with basalt shelves takes longer than a flat yard in Airway Heights. Access matters too: a narrow side yard in Perry District or a fence behind a garage can add labor.
We quote repair and replacement side by side so you can compare real numbers. Getting two or three estimates is smart, and it helps to ask what each bid includes for old fence removal and concrete footings. Our full pricing overview breaks down the ranges by material and job type.
Fence Replacement & Removal Near Me: How to Vet a Contractor Near Spokane
Hiring for fence work near Spokane comes down to a few checks. Washington requires construction contractors to be registered with the Department of Labor & Industries under RCW 18.27, backed by a surety bond and liability insurance, so ask for proof before work starts. Confirm workers' compensation coverage for the crew on your property, and get at least two or three written estimates that spell out removal, disposal, and materials.
Ask for local references from jobs like yours, and check HOA architectural standards before you pick a height, material, or color. In master-planned communities around Liberty Lake and Mead, deed restrictions often govern fence style. Permits vary by jurisdiction, so confirm with the city or county building department. To set up a walk-through, use our contact page.
Old Fence Removal and Replacement: What We Haul Away
Old fence removal is more than pulling pickets. We take out posts, concrete footings, rails, hardware, and gate frames, then load and dispose of everything. That matters on Spokane lots where an old chain link line along an alley has concrete anchors buried below grade. Leaving those in place makes the next install harder and can trip a mower for years.
If the old fence is sound enough to reuse, we will say so. A fence with good posts and worn pickets can sometimes be restored instead of replaced, and our fence repair page covers that path. When replacement is the better call, we handle the removal and install on the same visit schedule.
Replace Wood Fence With Vinyl: When the Swap Makes Sense in Spokane
Many homeowners around Mead, Indian Trail, and Spokane Valley ask about swapping a failing wood fence for vinyl. Vinyl handles moisture better and does not need staining, which suits Spokane's wet winters and hot dry summers. The catch is cost and style: vinyl panels cost more up front, and some HOAs restrict color and height.
We remove the old wood, check the post line, and set new vinyl posts with proper footings. If the existing concrete footings are sound and spaced right, we may reuse them. If not, they come out. For a closer look at the material, see our vinyl fence installation page and compare it against a wood rebuild.
Fence Replacement & Removal in Spokane: Pricing Guide
| Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Removal only | Starting at $600 | Tear-out, concrete footings, haul-away; price rises with linear footage and access difficulty. |
| Wood privacy replacement | Starting at $2,400 | Remove old fence, set new posts in concrete, install cedar or pine panels and gate. |
| Vinyl replacement | Starting at $3,200 | Remove old wood or vinyl, set new vinyl posts and panels; style and height move the price. |
| Chain link replacement | Starting at $1,800 | Remove old galvanized line, set new posts, stretch mesh, and hang gates. |
| Complex or large-scale job | On estimate | Rocky ground, steep slopes, long runs, or multiple gates need an on-site look first. |
| Estimate | Free | Response within 24 hours at (509) 352-1315, no obligation to book. |
Indicative pricing, the exact cost depends on square footage, finish, and site access. Free personalized estimate within 24h at (509) 352-1315.