Not every project starts with a clean slate. Kelsey’s yard came with an old chain-link fence that had to go and ground so heavily rooted it fought back at every step. Instead of cutting corners to get through the tough parts fast, we built Kelsey a brand new patio fence the right way, clearing out the old fencing and working through the rooted ground properly so the finished result actually holds up.
This page walks through how a patio fence project like Kelsey’s comes together when the site itself is part of the challenge, from removing what was there before to the finished fence she now has around her patio. It’s a good look at what separates a fence that’s built to last from one that’s just installed quickly to check a box.
Kelsey needed a new patio fence area, not just a fence dropped into an existing yard.
An old chain-link fence had to be fully removed before anything new could go in.
Heavy-rooted ground made the install more complex than a standard fence job.
The finished fence gives Kelsey a properly enclosed, private patio space.
A lot of fence installations are straightforward: clear a line, set the posts, put up the panels. Kelsey’s project wasn’t that simple. The old chain-link fence on the property needed to come out completely before any new fencing could go up, and the ground underneath was dense with roots from years of established trees and shrubs nearby.
That combination changes the whole approach to a fence installation. Roots that thick can throw off post placement, slow down digging significantly, and turn what should be a quick job into one that requires real patience and the right equipment. For homeowners across Toronto dealing with older properties where a chain-link fence has been in place for decades, projects like Kelsey’s are a good example of why fence removal and site prep matter just as much as the finished product itself.
Before the work began, Kelsey had the same practical concerns most homeowners in her situation do: how much extra time does removing an old chain-link fence actually add to a project, can a new fence be installed properly around heavily rooted ground without expensive tree removal, and will the finished result be worth the extra effort involved? Those questions shaped how the whole project was handled from day one.
Building a patio fence on a site with this many complications means the prep work matters just as much as the final installation. Here’s roughly how Kelsey’s project came together from start to finish.
The project began with tearing out the existing chain-link fence entirely, including the old posts set in concrete footings. Chain-link removal is more involved than people expect, since the posts are often set deep and need to come out cleanly to make room for a proper new fence line.
With the old fence gone, the crew worked through the heavily rooted ground along the new fence line. This step took real care, since cutting through roots carelessly can damage nearby trees or shrubs Kelsey wanted to keep, while leaving too many roots in place would compromise the stability of the new posts.
Once the ground was properly cleared, new posts were set for the backyard privacy fence, spaced and anchored to handle the site conditions rather than a standard, easier install. Getting this stage right is what keeps a fence standing straight for years instead of shifting after the first tough winter.
With solid posts in place, the rest of the fence went up around Kelsey’s patio, giving the space a clean, enclosed boundary. The finished fence installation turned what used to be an open, chain-link-bordered yard into a properly private patio area.
The patio that used to sit behind an old, worn-out chain-link fence now has a clean, solid boundary that actually adds to the look of the yard instead of detracting from it. Kelsey’s patio feels enclosed and private in a way it never did before, and the extra work that went into clearing the rooted ground means the new fence isn’t fighting against tree roots that could eventually push posts out of alignment.
Because the project handled the removal and site prep properly instead of rushing past the hard parts, the finished patio fence is built to actually hold up. That’s the difference between a fence that looks fine on installation day and one that’s still standing straight years down the line, especially on properties where the ground itself makes the job harder than a typical install.
It depends on how the posts were originally set. Fences with posts set in deep concrete footings take longer to remove than ones with simpler installations, and this step should never be rushed if you want a clean base for the new fence.
Yes, but it takes more care than a standard install. Roots need to be cleared carefully around the new post locations without damaging nearby trees or shrubs, which is why rooted sites often take longer than open, cleared yards.
It depends on the height and location of the fence. Toronto typically has specific bylaws for fence height and placement, especially near property lines, so it's worth checking before installation begins.
Chain-link fences often have posts and footings that interfere with a new fence line. Removing them completely gives the new fence a clean, unobstructed path and avoids structural issues down the road.
A project involving old fence removal and rooted ground, like Kelsey's, typically takes longer than a standard fence install, often an extra few days to properly clear the site before the new fence can go up.
If your property still has an outdated chain-link fence standing guard, or ground that’s tougher to dig through than your average backyard, don’t let that scare you off a proper patio fence build; it just means the job takes a bit more skill. Jacko Contracting takes care of everything, from tearing out old fencing to working through stubborn, root-filled ground, right through to installing a fence built to actually stay put. Easy lot or a challenging one, the approach is the same: handle the tough groundwork right instead of rushing past it. Request a free consultation to see what a new patio fence could look like on your property.
For Kelsey in the Roncesvalles neighborhood of Toronto, our team designed and built a new fence and refreshed patio area, turning a challenging site into a clean, functional outdoor space. The project began with the removal of an old chain-link fence that had become deeply rooted into the ground, requiring careful work and problem-solving to clear the area without damaging the surrounding property.
Despite the obstacles, we successfully installed a new fence that offers both durability and improved privacy, while also enhancing the look of the patio area. The result is a refreshed backyard space that is not only more attractive but also far more practical for everyday use.
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