Replacing a fence involves more than pulling out old posts and installing new materials. The condition of your existing fence, property line accuracy, local regulations, and material choices all affect the project’s complexity and cost. Understanding these factors before starting helps avoid problems that delay the work or increase expenses.
American Fence & Supply has handled fence replacements throughout Toledo and Northwest Ohio for 24 years. This guide covers what you need to know before replacing your fence, from legal considerations to material selection and installation planning..
Check Your Current Fence Condition
Before deciding to replace your fence, assess whether repair might address the issues. Fence replacement makes sense when structural damage affects multiple sections, when materials have deteriorated beyond practical repair, or when the fence no longer serves its purpose.
Wood fencing with widespread rot, especially in posts and rails, usually needs replacement rather than repair. Chain link fencing with rusted framework, torn fabric in multiple areas, or leaning posts often costs more to repair than replace. Vinyl fencing with cracked panels, broken posts, or separated rails rarely repairs well since the material doesn’t accept patches reliably.
Verify Property Lines Before Installation
Replacing an existing fence on the same line as the old fence seems straightforward, but the original fence may not sit exactly on the property boundary. Previous owners might have installed it inside the property line, on the line, or slightly over onto the neighbor’s property.
Before removing the old fence, verify your actual property boundaries. Survey stakes from when you bought the property show corner locations. If you can’t find stakes or aren’t certain of the exact line, hire a surveyor to mark boundaries before installation starts.
Installing a new fence in the wrong location creates legal problems. Building on your neighbor’s property gives them grounds to demand removal. Talk with neighbors before starting work, even if you’re not legally required to notify them. Explain your plans, show them the new fence design, and address any concerns.
Understand Local Permits and Zoning Rules
Most municipalities regulate fence height, setback from property lines, materials in certain zones, and placement near streets or easements. Toledo and surrounding communities have specific codes that affect residential fencing.
Height restrictions typically limit front yard fences to 3 or 4 feet, while backyard fences can reach 6 feet without special permits. Setback requirements keep fences a specific distance from sidewalks, streets, or utility easements.
Check with your local building department before starting the project. Some jurisdictions require permits for any fence over a certain height. Homeowner associations add another layer of regulations and often specify allowed materials, colors, heights, and styles..
Plan for Old Fence Removal
Old fence removal affects project cost and timeline. Wood fence posts set in concrete need digging or breaking to remove. Chain link fence posts typically set in concrete require similar removal work. The fabric unrolls from posts relatively easily, but extracting posts and concrete footers takes time.
Removed fencing materials need disposal. Wood fencing can go to landfills or sometimes be chipped for mulch if untreated. Chain link fabric and metal posts can be recycled at scrap metal yards. Vinyl fence disposal options are limited since the material doesn’t biodegrade and isn’t widely recycled.
Choose the Right Fence Replacement Material
Replacing your fence offers an opportunity to choose materials better suited to your current needs than the original fence.
Wood Fencing
Wood remains popular for privacy fencing and traditional picket designs. Cedar and redwood resist rot naturally but cost more than pressure-treated pine. Treated lumber costs less and lasts 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance.
Wood requires ongoing upkeep including staining or painting every few years to prevent rot and weather damage. Toledo’s climate stresses wood fencing through freeze-thaw cycles, high humidity, and moisture from snow and rain, also if you wanna know How to Care for a Wood Fence our best guide lines to check.
Chain Link Fencing
Chain link fencing provides durable, low-maintenance containment at lower cost than wood or vinyl. The open design allows visibility while creating a physical barrier. Galvanized chain link resists rust and lasts 20 to 30 years. Vinyl-coated chain link costs more but offers color options and additional corrosion protection.
Vinyl Fencing
Vinyl costs more initially than wood but requires less maintenance. The material doesn’t rot, needs no painting or staining, and maintains its appearance for years. Temperature extremes affect vinyl performance. Very cold weather makes vinyl brittle and prone to cracking. Hot weather causes expansion that can bow or warp panels. Our detailed explanation on Pros and Cons of Vinyl Fencing.
Ornamental Metal Fencing
Metal ornamental fencing combines security with finished appearance. Steel offers more strength than aluminum but requires coating to prevent rust. Aluminum doesn’t rust but costs more than steel. Both materials need minimal maintenance including occasional cleaning and inspection of coating for damage.
Consider Reusing Existing Posts
Replacing fence panels while keeping existing posts saves money if the posts remain structurally sound. This works when the framework is solid but pickets or fabric have failed.
Wood posts need inspection for rot. Dig around the base to check the below-ground portion where rot starts. Metal posts rarely fail if they were sized correctly for the original fence. Check for rust, especially below ground level.
Reusing posts only makes sense when building the same type of fence in the same configuration. Switching from chain link to privacy fencing, changing fence height, or altering the layout requires new posts placed for the new design.
Account for Grade Changes and Terrain
Properties with slopes or uneven terrain complicate fence installation. The new fence needs to follow the grade in a way that looks finished and maintains security.
Stepped fencing uses level panels that step down or up with the terrain. Each section stays level, with posts cut to different heights to accommodate the grade change. Racked fencing follows the slope with the top and bottom rails angled to match the grade. This works for some fence types but not all.
Locate Underground Utilities
Before digging new post holes, locate underground utilities. Electric lines, gas lines, water mains, sewer lines, communication cables, and sprinkler systems all run underground and can be damaged during post installation.
Call 811 at least a few days before starting work. This free service marks utility locations so you can avoid them during digging. Tree roots complicate post placement and sometimes require slight adjustment to post locations to avoid major roots.
Time Your Project Right
Fence replacement projects move faster in good weather. Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures that make concrete curing predictable. Summer heat affects concrete cure times and makes labor harder. Winter installation in Toledo faces challenges from frozen ground, concrete that doesn’t cure properly in freezing temperatures, and snow that complicates site access.
Late spring through early fall offers the best conditions for fence work in Northwest Ohio.
Understand Fence Replacement Costs
Fence replacement cost varies based on materials chosen, total linear footage, fence height, number of gates, site conditions, and whether old fence removal is included.
Wood fencing typically costs $15 to $40 per linear foot installed. Chain link runs $10 to $30 per linear foot. Vinyl ranges from $25 to $50 per linear foot. Ornamental metal starts around $30 per linear foot.
Old fence removal adds $3 to $8 per linear foot depending on material type. Gates cost $200 to $800 each for standard sizes. Get written estimates from contractors that specify materials, removal of old fencing, total linear footage, number and type of gates, and project timeline.
Work with Professional Fence Installers in Toledo
Professional Toledo Fence Company handles permit applications, property line verification, proper post depth for local frost levels, and installation techniques that prevent common failure points like sagging gates or leaning posts.
American Fence & Supply handles complete fence replacement throughout Toledo and surrounding communities in Northwest Ohio. Our work includes old fence removal and disposal, site preparation, permit coordination, professional installation, and cleanup.