For fence and gate projects
The price list below is effective for new projects as of 9/22/25. Only some kinds of projects have prices and for others I will produce estimates. Prices for redwood have gone up recently so these prices reflect the new prices.
These prices include:
- All Materials
- All Labor
- All overhead fees
- If specified, all dump labor and fees with appropriate separate disposal of PT wood, steel and construction and demolition materials at the Berkeley Transfer Station
- Horizontal flat top or dog eared fence boards
- All new wood is FSC-certified
- All redwood is construction heartwood (all pink)
- All pressure treated wood complies with California State regulations
These prices do not include:
- Gardening or landscaping or moving things to provide access to work
- Extra time for building around trees or branches that cross the fence line
- Dealing with plants growing on a fence or lattice
- Working on fences on hills or slopes
I reserve the right to changes prices in the future, but if I confirm a project with you with specific prices, those remain valid for you for six months.
If you see “Estimate only” instead of a price it means there are too many factors that could affect the price – I will be happy to make a free estimate for your specific case. My rate for work not covered by a price is $100/hr.
The price lists for different kinds of projects:
- Price List for Fence Post Services
- Price List for Fence Services
- Price List for New Fences
- New Fence Prices Per Foot
- Price List for Gate Services
- Price List for New Gates
- Price List for Dual Driveway Gates
- Demolition and Debris Services
- More Examples
Price List for Fence Post Services
I can often replace posts without harming the fence that hangs on them nor the plants hanging on the fence and lattice. I replace the posts one-at-a-time to restore strength to a fence. Often the fence boards have decades more life in them.
Redwood rots when in contact with dirt. When the fence was built no doubt the post bases were about where the soil level was. But, over the years leaves fall and become soil. The soil rises like a tide and after a while the bottom of the posts are buried in dirt. That causes the posts to rot right above the concrete.
The posts rot, some before others. Parts of the fence might lean. Sometimes plants hold the fence up in some places but not others. Fences can also fall over in the wind if the posts are rotted.
Replacing the rotted posts restores strength to the fence, giving it many more years of life.
If the post bases are below ground level, it is a good idea to raise the level of the post bases by adding new concrete to form a berm above ground level.
I can often reuse post bases and that saves money and lowers the carbon footprint of the project by avoiding the need for new concrete. It isn’t always possible, and usually don’t know until I’ve begun working on that post because the problems that complicate or prevent reuse are usually well below ground level.
Post Disposal is $10/post or I can cut them into thirds and they can go in your garbage bin or compost bin.
| Replace Post by reusing existing post base | $250 |
| Is also part of a retaining wall | Estimate only |
| Is also a corner post where multiple fences meet | Estimate only |
| or, is a latch post | $275 |
| or, is a gate hinge post | $300 |
| is on a hill | Estimate only |
| Remove and replace post and base | $325 |
| is also part of a retaining wall | Estimate only |
| Is also a corner post where multiple fences meet | Estimate only |
| or, is a latch post for a gate | $350 |
| or is a hinge post for a gate | $375 |
| is on a hill | Estimate only |
| New post in new post base in new post hole | $285 |
| is also part of a retaining wall | Estimate only |
| is on a hill | Estimate only |
| Neither side is clear of plants & landscaping | Estimate only |
| is also a corner post where 2 fences meet | $335 |
| New 4×6 posts in new post bases for Driveway Gates | |
| Posts on each side of driveway | $400 |
| Through unreinforced concrete driveway | $500 |
| Through reinforced concrete driveway | $600 |
| Other Services: | |
| Add concrete berm above soil line, per post | $20 |
Price List for Fence Services
Sometimes a timely repair can preserve a fence so it will last longer. If the original 2×4 laterals (horizontals between the posts) were not heartwood they may have rotted. When that happens the vertical fence boards may get loose and fall off.
I can replace the laterals and reattach the fence boards to the new lateral.
I can also add lattice sections to an existing or new fence. I can also make custom lattices that last as long as a fence (instead of the inexpensive pre-framed lattices which only last between five and ten years.) I make custom estimates for all fence repairs, even if they included fixed-priced elements.
Price List for New Fences
These are prices per foot that do not include the cost of the posts.
I build fences with lifetime warranted screws which not only ensures the fasteners will outlast the fence, it also means the fence can be maintained or repaired.
A Least Cost fence has all of the fence boards on one side. From the other side you see the later 2x4s and the posts. It can have either flat top or dog-eared vertical fence boards. I always build this kind of fence with the top lateral on top of the posts because it helps protect the tops of the posts and because it makes it easier to add a lattice.
A Good Neighbor fence looks the same on both sides. There is a 2×4 about an inch above the ground or often on a retaining wall. The other 2×4 is between 5 and 6′ above the lower 2×4. The fence boards go between these 2x4s. Each fence board overlaps the ones on each side of it by 1/2″, to increase privacy. The boards are retained on the top and bottom by lateral 1x1s on both sides. This traps the boards so they cannot fall out. It is very easy to add a lattice on top of this kind of fence.
A Side Section spans the gap between a post and a house. A side section must not touch the house: it comes to within about 1″ of the house. No post is put at the end of this section because that would be right next to the foundation of a house and it would interfere with maintenance of the house. Instead, I use a 36″ x 3/4″ thick steel spike to secure the end at the bottom. The side section requires a vertical 2×4 I call its end as well as the steel spike. A side section is the same cost as a fence, by the foot, with no posts required, plus the cost of a side section end.
To determine the number of posts needed for a fence, first find the number of sections and then add one. To find the number of sections, divide the fence length by 8 and round up so that no section is more than 8′ long. A fence requires one post at each end so the number of posts needed is the number of sections plus one. Add the cost of that many posts to the number below after it has been multiplied by the length of your fence.
Unless it is a new fence where there never was one before, I prefer to reuse post bases. It saves money and lowers the carbon footprint for the project:
New fences do not have an old fence that needs to be demolished or disposed of. So, new fence projects do not include that. The small amount of debris that new fence projects produce
New Fence Prices Per Foot
| Least Cost Fence, per foot w/o posts | $50 |
| Good Neighbor Fence, per foot w/o posts | $95 |
| New retaining wall 7.5 inches tall, per foot | $21 |
| New retaining wall 11.5 inches tall, per foot | $25 |
Price List for Gate Services
I can usually repair a gate. The most common problem with gates is that they were not built with a proper diagonal, so they sag. I can correct the sag by adding a diagonal. Sometimes the hardware is cheap and has failed. I can replace the hardware. I use heavy-duty hinges and latches.
Some gate posts lean toward each other under the weight of the gate. I can build a pergola to hold the two posts apart. I can build simple or more elaborate pergolas to suit your taste and budget.
I can also add or replace a deadbolt on the gate:
- a simple keyed deadbolt with a knob on the inside
- an electronic deadbolt (not recommended)
- a pushbutton mechanical deadbolt (recommended)
Each gate and its posts are unique, so I will always visit you first to learn about each repair. Then I will make you an estimate for the work you’d like done.
It usually takes about an hour to install a deadbolt.
Price List for New Gates
I use heavy-duty hinges and latches on all my new gates. All my gates have a proper diagonal to prevent sagging over time. Gates require good quality 4×4 posts on which to hang. If an existing post is not solid ,it generally has to be replaced if a gate is going to swing on hinges attached to it.
A gate can be inserted anywhere in a fence at an existing post, eliminating the need for one post.
Very wide gates required 4×6 posts.
Sometimes there is no gate post next to your house. Whether and how a 2×4 can be attached to your house to act as a latch “post” depends on many factors.
I can also install a deadbolt on the gate:
- a simple keyed deadbolt with a handle on the inside
- an electronic deadbolt
- a mechanical deadbolt
I always make custom estimates for new gates, after examining the posts that will be used, or where new ones would be installed.
Price List for Dual Driveway Gates
Driveway gates span a gap between posts of up to 11 feet. That means the individual gates are each up to 5′ 6″ wide. They are much heavier than normal gates. Normal 4×4 fence and gate posts are not sufficient. I use 4×6 posts and I orient them so the long direction is aligned with the gate for maximum strength. I also sometimes mount the posts at a very slight angle away from each other because even 4×6 posts move as much as 1/4″ at the top once the gates are hanging on them, especially if they are good neighbor gates which are even heavier.
The post holes need to be a little deeper and a little larger and it takes more concrete for them. It is best when these are mounted through the driveway but sometimes the driveway is too narrow for that.
These examples all assume 3′ of least cost fence side sections on each side. If your side sections are wider or shorter, or if you don’t need side sections, the price would be correspondingly different than these examples.
I always make custom estimates for any driveway gate project.
Demolition and Debris Services
I provide demolition services as part of new projects, but I no longer take debris to the dump, aside from gate posts. I work with others to get the debris hauled away and you would pay them for their work.
I charge a nominal $10 fee for disposal of pressure treated posts.
Demolition is now handled as time-and-materials work so there are no fixed price services anymore for demolition services.