Fence Replacement & Removal in Des Moines, IA

If your fence line in Des Moines has started to lean, shed pickets, or rot out at the ground, a fence replacement in Des Moines is often the cheaper call over another season of patchwork. Our city sits where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers meet, on dense glacial till clay and black prairie loam that heaves posts every freeze-thaw cycle. Six-foot cedar and treated-pine privacy runs in Beaverdale and the Drake neighborhood take the worst of it, and the galvanized chain link along alleys in Highland Park does not last forever either. We tear out the old line, haul it away, and rebuild with posts set in concrete at proper depth. If the fence still has life in it, we say so and quote a repair instead. Call (515) 528-3444 for a free estimate, or start with our fence repair service if you are not sure which way to go.

Why Fence Replacement Comes Up So Often on Des Moines Lots

Most of the fence stock around here is 15 to 25 years old, and it was installed before the current round of wet springs and hard freezes. Posts rot at the ground line where moisture sits against the wood, and prairie wind gusts and derecho-strength storms flatten panels that were already soft. On the older narrow lots in Sherman Hill and the East Village, a failed section usually means pulling the whole run because the stringers are tied together.

Posts heave and rot at grade on clay soil, so the whole line goes out of plumb even when the pickets look fine.
Wet springs and heavy snow banks lean on fence lines and crack rails that were already checking.
Storm gusts and hail knock out panels on 1950s and 70s ranch lots in Merle Hay and Windsor Heights.
Older chain link along driveways in Urbandale and Johnston rusts through at the tension bands and gate frames.
Homeowners replacing wood with vinyl want the old cedar and treated pine gone in one haul, not stacked in the alley.

We look at the posts first, because that is where the money is. If two-thirds of the posts are sound, a repair usually beats a rebuild.

Key info: On a 1990s subdivision lot in Ankeny or Waukee, a builder-grade cedar privacy fence often fails at the posts before the pickets. We pull one post to check before we quote a full replacement, so you are not paying for a tear-out you do not need.

Fence height, setback and corner-visibility rules are set by the city or county, and they vary across Greater Des Moines. Check with your local building department before you plan the new line. The City of Des Moines publishes its permit and zoning information at dsm.city.

How We Handle Tear-Out and Rebuild on a Des Moines Fence Line

We start by walking the line with you and calling in the 811 utility locates before any digging. Then we pull the old posts, cut the concrete collars where they are set, and haul the panels, rails and mesh out in one trip. On a rebuild, we set new posts in concrete at the right spacing and depth for our frost line, then hang rails and pickets or panels to match the grade.

We mark the existing fence line and confirm where you want the new one to sit, working from your survey and the line you identify.
We call 811 for utility locates before any post hole is dug, as Iowa law requires.
We pull the old posts and concrete, then haul away all fencing material and debris.
We set new posts in concrete at proper depth and spacing, tamped or concrete-set depending on the soil.
We hang rails and pickets, or set panels, racking or stepping the run to follow the grade.
We hang gates with self-closing, self-latching hardware and anti-sag bracing where the gate is wide.

If you are moving from wood to vinyl, we can quote the new run on our vinyl and PVC fence installation page so you see the material and labor side by side.

Key info: A homeowner in Clive had a 20-year-old cedar privacy fence with four posts rotted at grade and the rest sound. We replaced the four posts, reset the panels and saved the run. Two years later the pickets started checking, and we quoted the full rebuild then, with real numbers on both sides.

Removal and Replacement Approaches We Quote

Approach	Description	Best for
Straight removal only	We pull the old fence, posts and concrete, and haul it all away with no rebuild.	Homeowners clearing a line for a new build, a pool, or a sale.
Partial replacement	We tear out the failed section and tie the new run into the sound fence.	Storm damage on one side of a lot, or a single rotted run.
Full tear-out and rebuild	We remove the whole line and rebuild with new posts, rails and pickets.	Fence lines past 15 to 20 years with widespread post rot.
Replace wood with vinyl	We pull the old cedar or treated pine and set a new vinyl privacy run.	Newer subdivision lots in Waukee, Grimes and West Des Moines.
Chain link to privacy	We remove the old galvanized mesh and posts and set a wood or vinyl line.	Alley and driveway lines where privacy is now the goal.

Fence Replacement & Removal Cost in Des Moines: What to Expect

Most full tear-out and rebuild jobs we quote in Des Moines start from $2,400 and go up from there. The number moves with linear feet, material, post count and how much concrete has to come out of the ground. A straight removal with no rebuild is the cheapest line item, and a wood-to-vinyl swap on a 200-foot run in Ankeny sits in the middle.

Linear feet and post count drive the labor on every job.
Material choice moves the price most: cedar and treated pine are cheaper than vinyl, and ornamental metal runs higher still.
Access matters on narrow lots in Sherman Hill, where panels have to come out by hand.
Concrete collars and old post footings add time, especially on clay soil.
Gate hardware, self-closing latches and automatic operators add to the total.

Get two or three written estimates before you commit, and ask each one whether they are quoting repair or replacement. Our full pricing overview lays out the ranges so you have a baseline to compare against.

Hiring a Fence Contractor Near Me in Des Moines: What to Check

Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm workers' compensation cover before anyone digs a post hole on your lot. Fence licensing rules here are set at the state and local level, and they vary by jurisdiction, so check with the local building department on what applies to your project. Get at least two or three written estimates, and ask for references from jobs in your part of town. Confirm who pulls the permit if one is required, and check your HOA architectural standards before you pick a height, material or color.

We work from your existing survey and install on the line you identify, and we are fully insured with a certificate available on request. Reach out through our contact page to set up a walk-through and a free estimate.

Fence Replacement & Removal in Des Moines: Pricing Guide

Service	Price	Details
Straight fence removal only	Starting at $2,400	Includes pulling the old fence, posts and concrete, plus full haul-away of all debris.
Partial removal and replacement	Starting at $3,200	Tear out the failed section and tie the new run into the sound fence.
Full tear-out and wood rebuild	Starting at $4,500	Remove the whole line and rebuild with new posts, rails and cedar or pine pickets.
Replace wood fence with vinyl	Starting at $5,800	Pull the old cedar or treated pine and set a new vinyl privacy run with new posts.
Complex or large-scale job	On estimate	Narrow lots, heavy concrete removal and long runs need an on-site look first.
Travel	Included	In Des Moines and surrounding areas, no separate call-out or mileage fee.

Indicative pricing, the exact cost depends on square footage, finish, and site access. Free personalized estimate within 24h at (515) 528-3444.

Fence Replacement & Removal: service areas

📍 Des Moines 📍 West Des Moines 📍 Ankeny 📍 Urbandale 📍 Johnston 📍 Clive 📍 Altoona 📍 Pleasant Hill 📍 Windsor Heights 📍 Waukee 📍 Norwalk 📍 Indianola 📍 Grimes 📍 Bondurant 📍 Ames 📍 Newton

Frequently asked questions: Fence Replacement & Removal in Des Moines

When should I replace my fence in Des Moines?

Replace when the posts are the problem, not the pickets. If more than a third of the posts are rotted at the ground line, leaning or heaving out of the clay, a rebuild is usually the better spend. If the rails are cracked and the pickets are checking across the whole run, the fence is at the end of its life. Storm damage on one side of a lot is a different call, and a partial replacement often holds.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a fence in Des Moines?

Repair is cheaper when the posts are sound and only a section of pickets or rails has failed. A post repair on four or five posts runs well under a full rebuild. Once the rot is spread through the line and the stringers are soft, replacement wins on cost per year. We quote both side by side so you see the real numbers before you decide.

How much does fence removal cost in Des Moines?

A straight removal with haul-away starts around $2,400 for a typical residential run. The number moves with linear feet, post count and how much concrete has to come out of the ground. Narrow lots in Sherman Hill and the East Village take longer because panels come out by hand. Removal bundled with a rebuild is usually cheaper than two separate jobs.

How much does a fence replacement cost in Des Moines?

Full tear-out and rebuild jobs start from $2,400 and go up with linear feet, material and post count. A wood-to-vinyl swap on a 200-foot run sits higher than a like-for-like cedar rebuild. Gate hardware and automatic operators add to the total. We give a written number after we walk the line and pull a post to check the footing.

Do I need a permit to replace a fence in Des Moines?

Permits are required in some jurisdictions across Greater Des Moines and not in others, so check with your local building department before you start. Height, setback and corner-visibility rules vary by city and county. If you are in a master-planned community in Waukee or Grimes, the HOA architectural standards usually govern height, material and color on top of the city rules. We can tell you what we have seen on nearby jobs, but the building department and the HOA have the final word.

Can you replace a wood fence with vinyl in Des Moines?

Yes. We pull the old cedar or treated pine, remove the posts and concrete, and set a new vinyl privacy or picket run on the same line. Vinyl holds up well against our wet springs and hard freezes, and it does not rot at grade the way wood does. We quote the removal and the new vinyl run together so you see one number.

What is the best time of year for fence replacement in Des Moines?

Late spring through early fall is the busiest window, because the ground is workable and concrete sets cleanly. The dominant failure mode here is post rot at the ground line from wet springs, plus frost heave on clay soil that pushes posts out of plumb over winter. Late winter and early spring are when homeowners call us most, right after the thaw shows which posts have gone. We work through the season when the ground allows.

Do you handle emergency fence replacement in Des Moines?

Yes. When a storm or derecho-strength gust takes down a run, we can usually get out within 24 to 48 hours to secure the line and quote the rebuild. Call (515) 528-3444 and tell us what is down and whether a gate or driveway is blocked. We can help document the damage for an insurance claim, but the claim decision rests with your carrier.

Is the estimate really free and no-obligation?

Yes. We walk the line with you, pull a post if needed to check the footing, and give you a written number for repair and for replacement. There is no charge for the visit and no obligation to book. We respond within 24 hours at (515) 528-3444.

Are you insured for fence replacement in Des Moines, and how does fence licensing work here?

Fence licensing rules are set at the state and local level and vary by jurisdiction, so check with the local building department on what applies to your project. We are fully insured, and we can provide a certificate of insurance on request. We work from your existing survey and install on the line you identify.