Redwood Fences & Gates

hoco@timefold.com

For fence and gate projects

The price list below is effective for new projects as of 6/23/23. 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 $85/hr.

Here is a link to a page that explains why I only offer prices for some kinds of projects and the rest are time and materials.

The price lists for different kinds of projects:

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$210
Is also part of a retaining wallEstimate only
Is also a corner post where 2 fences meet$260
or, is also a corner post where 3 fences meet$285
or, is also a corner post where 4 fences meet$310
or, is a latch post $235
or, is a gate hinge post$285
is on a hillEstimate only
Remove and replace post and base$335
is also part of a retaining wallEstimate only
is also a corner post where 2 fences meet$385
or, is also a corner post where 3 fences meet$410
or, is also a corner post where 4 fences meet$435
or, is a latch post for a gate$310
or is a hinge post for a gate$390
is on a hillEstimate only
New post in new post base$285
is also part of a retaining wallEstimate only
is on a hillEstimate only
Neither side is clear of plants & landscapingEstimate 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$410
Through unreinforced concrete driveway$535
Through reinforced concrete driveway$660
Replace a Steel Post with a Redwood post$260
Extras:
Add concrete berm above soil line, per post in conjunction with replacement$10
Cut hole in unreinforced concrete pathway/driveway$80
Cut hole in reinforced concrete pathway/driveway$125
All materials and labor are included in these prices.

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.) But, all custom lattices require an estimate.

These projects include removal of the replaced parts.

Fence Board Replacement, each$25
Lateral 2×4 replacement up to 8′
(includes disposal of old 2×4)
$80
Lateral 2×4 replacement from 8′ to 10′
(includes disposal of old 2×4)
$95
Add 2′ x 8′ pre-made Lattice
on top of existing flat-top-lateral fence, per section
$180
On top of existing interrupted-top-lateral fence
(where the 2x4s are not on top of the posts)
Estimate only
Custom Lattices of all sizes (up to 4′ x 8′), square or diagonalEstimate only
All materials and labor are included in these prices.

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$47
Good Neighbor Fence, per foot w/o posts$77
New retaining wall 7.5 inches tall, per foot$17
New retaining wall 11.5 inches tall, per foot$22
All materials and labor are included in these prices.

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.

I can also add or replace a deadbolt on the gate:

  • a simple keyed deadbolt with a handle on the inside
  • an electronic deadbolt
  • a mechanical deadbolt

I offer an inexpensive gate tuneup which includes correcting sag but doesn’t replace any hardware.

I also offer a more thorough gate upgrade that fixes the sag and replaces the hardware.

These projects include removal of the replaced parts.

Install Electronic or mechanical deadbolt (you provide it)$120
Replace hinges$75
Replace Latch$65
Raise Gate$50
Add Cane Bolt$65
Replace existing deadbolt (you provide it)$30
Gate Tuneup (fix sag, adjust latch)$75
Major Gate Tuneup (fix sag, replace all hardware)$150
Install deadbolt + minor gate tuneup$170
Install deadbolt + major gate tuneup$250
Replace Latch Post$235
Replace Hinge Post$285
All materials and labor are included in these prices.

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 near an existing post, eliminating the need for one post.

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 factors. I’ll be happy to provide a free estimate for your specific case if attaching a 2×4 to your house is practical.

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

These projects include removal of the replaced parts or gate.

Least Cost Gate on existing posts$400
Good Neighbor Gate on existing posts$700
Replace Least Cost Gate on existing posts with your new deadbolt
(includes dump run for old gate)
$550
Replace Good Neighbor Gate on existing posts your new deadbolt
(includes dump run for old gate)
$850
All materials and labor are included in these prices.

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 with a side section end 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’ll be happy to make you a free estimate for any driveway gate project.

These prices do not include removal or demolition of previous driveway gates.

Least Cost Driveway Gates with two 3′ Side Sections
Posts not through the driveway
$2,900
Least Cost Driveway Gates with two 3′ Side Sections
Posts through unreinforced concrete driveway
$3,220
Least Cost Driveway Gates with two 3′ Side Sections
Posts through reinforced concrete driveway
$3,400
All materials and labor are included in these prices.

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 $5 fee for disposal of redwood posts and $10 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.


More Examples

Here are more examples of straightforward projects and their price:

New 100′ least cost fence with one new gate in new post bases
100′ least cost fence$4,700
least cost gate$400
14 new posts$3,990
Dump run for 1000 lbs of debrisnot included
Total project cost$9,090
Effective cost/foot$90.90
Replace existing 45′ least cost 6′ fence in existing post bases
45′ least cost fence$2,115
7 new posts in existing bases, two where 4 fences meet$1,670
Demolish 45′ existing fence$135
Dump run for 1000 lbs of debrisnot included
Total project cost$3,920
Effective cost/foot$87.11
New 45′ good neighbor 6′ fence in existing post bases
45′ good neighbor fence$3,375
7 new posts in existing bases, two where 4 fences meet$1,600
Dump run for 1000 lbs of debrisnot included
Total project cost$5,195
Effective cost/foot$115.44
Replace existing 45′ least cost 6′ fence in existing post bases
and add 2′ premade lattice
45′ least cost fence$2,025
7 new posts in existing bases, two where 4 fences meet$1,600
2×8 Premade Lattice Panels$1,080
Dump run for 1000 lbs of debrisnot included
Total project cost$4,925
Effective cost/foot$109.44
Replace existing 45′ good neighbor 6′ fence in existing post bases and add 2′ premade lattice
45′ good neighbor fence$3,465
7 new posts in existing bases, two where 4 fences meet$1,670
2×8 Premade Lattice Panels$1,080
Dump run for 1000 lbs of debrisnot included
Total project cost$6,215
Effective cost/foot$138.11
Replace five posts in existing post bases plus five fence boards
5 new posts in existing bases$1,050
Replace 5 fence boards$125
Dump run for 500 lbs of debrisnot included
Total project cost$1,175
Effective cost/foot (5 posts for 40′ fence)$29.38