Wood fence installation and replacement
A new fence should look right along its whole length and stay straight for years. We plan the line, height, style and gates with you, then build it on posts set for our wet ground. Replacing an old fence? We take it down and build the new one in its place.
Illustrative photoPlanning a new fence
Most of a fence's success is decided before the first hole is dug. Where exactly does the line run? How tall can it be at the front and the back? Which side faces your neighbour? Where do the gates go, and which way do they swing?
We work through those questions with you, so the finished fence looks intentional from one end to the other.
Fences we build
- Full-height cedar privacy fences for backyards
- Horizontal-board fences with a cleaner, modern look
- Lower picket or open fences for front yards
- Replacement of an entire fence line that has reached the end of its life
- Fences on sloped lots, stepped or following the grade
- New fence sections to close off a side yard or garden
Fence styles
The style decides how much privacy you get, how the fence looks from both sides, and how much material it takes.
Privacy fence
Boards butted tight or overlapped (board-on-board), so no gaps open up as the wood dries.
Horizontal-board fence
A clean, modern line. Posts sit closer together so the long boards stay straight.
Picket fence
Spaced pickets on rails. Suits front yards, where height limits are usually lower.
Lattice or slatted top
A lighter band above a solid fence, for a finished look and a little extra screening.
Good-neighbour design
Boards alternate or the frame is hidden, so the fence looks finished from both yards.
Gates built in
Gates in the same style, hung on posts sized for them. See custom wooden gates.
Have a rough idea already? Send the approximate length, the height you'd like and a few photos of the fence line.
Get a free estimatePosts decide how long a fence lasts
Fences here almost always fail at the posts, right at ground level where the wood stays wet. So that's where we take the most care.
Posts are rated for ground contact and set so water drains away from the wood. Post size, spacing and footings depend on the fence height, the wind exposure and the soil we find, and they're written into your estimate.
Before anyone digs, underground utilities are located through BC 1 Call.
Replacing an old fence
We take the old fence down, deal with the old concrete footings, and build the new fence on the same line or a corrected one. Removal and disposal are listed as separate items in your estimate, so you can see what they cost.
If only a few posts or panels have failed, repairing the fence may be the better value. We'll give you our honest view once we've seen it.
Building on a slope
On a slope, panels can step down at each post or follow the ground. Stepping leaves small triangular gaps under each panel; following the ground keeps the bottom tight but suits fewer styles.
We'll talk through both with you, along with where the gates go: a gate swinging uphill needs extra clearance.
Illustrative photoNeed a gate in the new fence?
A gate built with the fence matches it exactly, and it hangs on posts sized for its weight from day one. That's much easier than adding one later.
Tell us where you'd like gates, and how wide, when you send your photos.
Cedar and other materials
- Western red cedar boards are the usual choice for new fences here. Cedar resists rot naturally, stays stable and takes stain well later.
- Pressure-treated lumber is often used for posts and rails, where strength and ground contact matter more than looks.
- Fasteners are hot-dip galvanized or stainless. Plain steel reacts with cedar and leaves black streaks.
- Finish: leave the cedar to weather to silver-grey, or plan to stain it once the wood has dried out.
- Our fences are wood. We don't install chain-link, vinyl or metal fencing.
Adding height or extending a fence
A lattice or slatted topper can add privacy to a fence that's still sound. A new run can extend an existing fence along another side of the yard.
Both depend on the posts already there. Extra height adds wind load, so we check the posts first and tell you if any need replacing. Check your city's height limit before adding to a fence.
Rules to check before you build
- Height limits are set by each city and usually differ between front yards, backyards and corner lots, where drivers need to see past the fence.
- Strata bylaws can restrict a fence's style, colour and height, and usually need approval first.
- We build on the line you give us. If you're not sure where the property line is, a survey comes first.
- On a shared boundary, agree the plan and the cost split with your neighbour before we start.
What affects the cost of a new fence
We do not publish fixed prices because every job differs. These are the main factors:
- Total length and height of the fence
- Board style and how much material it uses
- Number of posts, corners and gates
- Slope and ground conditions
- Removing the old fence and its footings, if there is one
- Access to the fence line
- Lumber prices at the time of the estimate
What to send us
The more we know up front, the more useful our first reply can be:
- The approximate length of the fence line
- The height you'd like
- A photo from each end of the line
- Close-ups of any slope, trees, garden beds or structures in the way
- Where you'd like gates, and how wide
- Whether there's an old fence to remove
How a fence build works
Submit a quote request
Tell us the rough length, where the fence runs and the style you like.
Site assessment
We walk the line, check slope, soil and access, and talk through styles and gates.
Written estimate
Layout, materials and exclusions in writing, with removal of any old fence listed separately. Utilities are located before we dig.
Build and walkthrough
Posts first, then rails and boards, then gates. We walk the finished fence with you.
Fence installation questions
Can you give me a price from photos?
Photos and a rough length help us understand what's involved and give you an idea of the next steps. For larger or more complex fences, we usually need to see the site before we can give a final quote.
How tall can a backyard fence be?
It depends on your municipality and where on the lot the fence sits; front-yard limits are usually lower than backyard limits. Check your city's fence bylaw, or your strata rules, before deciding. We can build to whatever height is allowed.
Should I choose horizontal or vertical boards?
Vertical boards are the traditional choice and suit most sloped yards. Horizontal boards give a cleaner modern look but need closer post spacing to stay straight, which usually adds cost.
Can you take down my old fence?
Yes. When a new fence replaces an old one, removal and disposal are listed as separate items in your estimate, so you can see exactly what they cost.
Can you build a fence that keeps a dog in?
Yes. Tell us the size of the dog. We keep gaps under the fence small, choose a height it can't clear, and fit self-closing gate hinges and a latch it can't nudge open.
How long does it take to build a new fence?
It depends on the length, the ground and the number of gates. We'll give you a timeframe with the estimate.
Do I need to stain a new cedar fence?
No. Untreated cedar weathers to grey and still lasts. If you want to keep the colour, stain it once the wood has dried out, usually after a few months of good weather.
Related services
Where we offer this
Fence installation is available across our Metro Vancouver service area, including Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Surrey, Vancouver, Port Moody, Delta, Richmond, Langley and North Vancouver.
Planning a new fence? Start with a few photos.
Send the rough length, the height you'd like and a few photos of the fence line. We'll reply with questions or next steps.
Larger or more complex fences may need an on-site assessment before we can give you a final quote.