Fences on Vancouver Island face some unique environmental pressures. The combination of wet winters, salt air near the waterfront, and the freeze-thaw cycles in areas like Departure Bay or the Harewood Hills means wood fences deteriorate faster than the manufacturers' warranties suggest. Here are the most common reasons we get called out:
Before a single board comes off, you need to know where you legally stand.
This step is non-negotiable. Before you touch a post or put a shovel in the ground, you must contact BC 1 Call.
Having the right equipment makes fence removal significantly faster, safer, and less physically punishing. Here's what to gather before you start:
Remove nails and pry panels off rails without cracking the wood
Drive out stubborn nails and assist prying
Removes screws on newer board-on-board or composite fences
Cut through stubborn boards or thick wooden posts
Break up concrete footings around posts
The most efficient way to lift posts — reduces strain enormously
Expose and loosen soil around posts before pulling
Essential — old cedar splinters and rusty nails are everywhere
Flying debris is common when prying and cutting
Falling posts and tools are a foot injury waiting to happen
Loosen bolts on chain-link tension bands and metal fences
Cut through metal sections or corroded bolts
If you're tackling one fence and don't own a post puller, rent one from a local Nanaimo tool rental shop rather than buying. A quality post puller can make the difference between a half-day job and a two-day ordeal — especially with the clay-heavy soils common in areas like Hammond Bay or South Nanaimo
Follow these steps in order. Skipping steps — especially the first two — is the most common cause of accidents and unexpected costs.
Review your property deed, plat map, or use the City of Nanaimo's online map tool. If there's any doubt, hire a BCLS surveyor. Let neighbours know your timeline, especially if the fence is shared.
Submit a locate request at bc1c.ca or call 1-800-474-6886. Wait for all utility members to respond and mark the ground before proceeding. This step is free and protects you from potentially tens of thousands of dollars in damage liability.
Clear garden furniture, potted plants, and lawn decorations from the work zone. If the fence encloses an area used by pets or children, set up a temporary barrier before any section comes down. Put on all personal protective equipment — gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots — before you pick up any tools.
Walk the fence line and look for weak or rotted sections, leaning posts, or buried hazards. Take photos of the fence layout — useful if you're replacing it and want to match the post spacing. Note which sections might be salvageable for reuse or recycling.
Start at one end of the fence and work systematically toward the other end. Use a pry bar to pull out nails holding boards to the rails; if they're screwed on, use a drill to back the screws out. Work from top to bottom to prevent cracking or splintering. Stack removed boards neatly — sorted boards are easier to load and can be offered for reuse. For stubborn boards, a reciprocating saw speeds the process significantly.
With boards off, you'll see the rails connecting to each post. Unfasten them at each post — if attached with screws, remove with a drill; if nailed, pry them loose with your wrecking bar, then finish with a hammer. For rails on metal bracket hardware, a wrench will handle the bolts.
Posts in Nanaimo are typically set in concrete footings, especially on slopes or near the waterfront where soil stability is a concern. This is where proper technique matters most.
For posts in soil without concrete: Soak the ground around the post with a garden hose and let it penetrate for 15–20 minutes. Place a post puller at the base and apply controlled leverage to pull the post straight up. Alternatively, dig 6–8 inches down on one side with a shovel, push the post sideways, dig the opposite side, and repeat until it works free.
For posts set in concrete: Soak the surrounding soil to soften it. Use a post puller or farm jack for initial leverage — this can sometimes pull the concrete footing out intact. If the footing is too large or deep, use a sledgehammer to break the concrete into manageable pieces before removal. Always hand-dig carefully near any utility markings.
Once all posts are out, fill each hole with clean soil or gravel, compacting each layer as you go to prevent future settling. Rake the area smooth. If you're planning a new fence, confirm the post hole locations before filling — you may be re-using the same footprint.
Collect all nails, screws, wire ties, and metal hardware — these are hazards for bare feet and lawn mowers. Sort remaining materials by type: wood, metal, concrete. See the Disposal section below for responsible options in Nanaimo.
Old fence posts, especially concrete-set ones, are extremely heavy. Lift with your legs, not your back. Take regular breaks, stay hydrated (yes, even in Nanaimo's mild spring weather), and watch for insects or small animals that may have made homes in the old fence structure
The basic sequence above applies to all fences, but each material type has quirks worth knowing in advance.
Responsible disposal is part of any good fence removal project — and in Nanaimo, there are more options than most homeowners realize.
Undamaged cedar boards, posts in good condition, and intact chain-link mesh can all find a second life. List materials on Facebook Marketplace Nanaimo, Craigslist Vancouver Island, or offer them through Habitat for Humanity ReStore (check current Nanaimo availability). Many local gardeners will take old cedar boards for raised garden beds.
Metal fence components — chain-link, steel posts, ornamental iron — can be taken to Nanaimo area metal recycling facilities. Clean wood free of chemicals may be accepted at the Regional District of Nanaimo's recycling depots or by local composting operations. Call ahead to confirm what each facility accepts.
For treated lumber, concrete footings, vinyl, and general waste, you have two main options: rent a disposal bin from a local Nanaimo bin rental company, or haul materials yourself to the RDN's waste disposal facility. If you include concrete, confirm the disposal bin company accepts it — concrete's weight adds up fast and can exceed bin limits quickly.
The RDN operates several waste reduction facilities across the Nanaimo region. Visit rdn.bc.ca for current accepted materials, hours, and fees before hauling a truck-load of fence materials across town.
Fence removal is a legitimate DIY project for many homeowners — but there are situations where a professional crew is clearly the right call. Here's an honest assessment:
Call a pro when:
As one of Nanaimo's most experienced fencing companies, we handle fence removal as part of full replacement projects and as standalone services. Our crews have the equipment — including professional post pullers and compact excavators for large concrete footings — to complete jobs in a fraction of the time a DIY approach requires, without the physical strain or risk.
No building permit is required for fence removal within the City of Nanaimo. However, your property must comply with Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 if you're installing a new fence. If you live in the Regional District of Nanaimo (outside city limits), check with the RDN, as rules may differ.
