Old decks and fences reach a point where repair costs more than replacement, rotted boards, leaning posts, footings heaved by thirty winters. Getting them out is straightforward work, but the part that decides whether the job is actually done is below grade: posts pulled, concrete footings dug out, holes backfilled, ground raked level. Here’s what deck and fence removal costs in York Region and straight answers to what homeowners ask.
Deck and fence removal cost in York Region: the real ranges
Fence removal typically runs $4–$10 per linear foot, more where posts are set in concrete. Deck removal runs $500–$1,500 for a small to mid-size ground-level deck and $1,500–$3,500 for a large, raised, or multi-level structure. Digging out concrete footings adds roughly $40–$120 each.
| Cost factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size | A 30-foot fence and a 200-foot property line are different days; a small deck and a wraparound are different again. |
| Footings | Posts set in concrete are the slow part, each one is a dig-out, not a pull. |
| Backyard access | A yard a machine or trailer can reach keeps costs down; hand-hauling through a house or narrow gate adds labour. |
| Attached vs. freestanding | An attached deck needs a clean detach from the house; freestanding is faster. |
| Disposal volume | Big decks fill bins fast, and pressure-treated lumber has its own disposal path. |
Photos and rough measurements are usually enough to quote it firm. The written number covers teardown, footing removal, haul-away, and the rake, not just the easy part.
Below grade is where the job is really done
Anyone can pull deck boards. The difference between a torn-down deck and a finished yard is what happens to the posts and footings. Left in the ground, old concrete footings foul a new patio, block a rebuild, and heave up through the lawn. On our removals, posts are pulled, footings are dug out where your plans need clear ground, and the holes are backfilled and graded, so you’re handed usable, level ground, not a field of buried concrete.
If you’re rebuilding in the same spot and the footings are sound, tell us. We can sometimes leave them and price it lower. The right answer depends on what’s going back.
The removal process, step by step
- Walk and quote. We look at size, footings, and access, and give you a firm written price.
- Teardown. Boards, railings, stairs, and framing come apart and load into bins.
- Posts and footings. Posts pulled; concrete footings dug out where the ground needs to be clear.
- Backfill and grade. Holes filled, the work area raked level.
- Haul and sort. Everything hauled the same day where possible, clean wood and metal recycled, treated lumber and concrete to proper disposal.
Permits, shared fences, and the rebuild
Teardown itself often doesn’t need a permit, but two things should be settled first. A fence on a shared property line should be agreed with the adjoining owner. If you’re rebuilding a deck, the new structure may require approval depending on its size, height and attachment. The municipality and final design determine the rules; the owner or builder confirms and files any application.
Clear the whole backyard in one go
If the deck’s coming out, it’s usually cheaper to clear everything going with it at the same time, an old pergola, a hot tub, a shed or garage, or a concrete patio underneath. One visit, one bin run, one firm price, and a backyard that’s actually a blank slate when we leave.
Deck and fence removal across the service area
We quote deck and fence removal across York Region and Toronto from our Thornhill service base. Measurements and access photos are usually enough to start; the written scope identifies whether posts, concrete footings, patios and final grading are included.
