Redwood
Redwood grades differ. For posts, the heartwood grades such as Construction Heart are the durable choice, while Merchantable grades suit fence boards and rails.
Wood fences
Wood fences in Menlo Park and across the Bay Area.
A wood fence brings privacy and gives your yard a clear edge. We set the posts, hang the rails and boards, and keep the lines straight.
Privacy and picket styles Posts and rails Clean-up
Privacy and a clear edge
A fence is only as good as its posts.
A wood fence does a lot: it gives you privacy, keeps kids and pets in, and marks where your yard ends. How long it stays straight depends mostly on the posts, because that is where the weather does its work, so we pay close attention to how they are set.
We build privacy fences with solid boards and picket fences with space between, at the height your city allows. We will help you choose lumber, style and hardware that suit the yard, your budget and the neighborhood.
- Posts set and aligned along your line
- Rails and boards hung straight
- Privacy and picket styles
- Gates that match the fence
- Haul-off and clean-up
Wood FencesMenlo Park, CA · Bay Area wide
How it is built
How we build a wood fence.
From the property line to the last board.
- Step 1
Check the line and the rules
We confirm where the fence will go and how tall it can be. Your city sets height limits, and a shared fence has its own rules between neighbors (see below).
- Step 2
Mark out and set the posts
Posts are placed along a straight line at an even spacing and set in the ground so they stay put. Where a fence follows a slope, we step or rake the line to suit.
- Step 3
Hang the rails
Rails tie the posts together and give the boards something to attach to.
- Step 4
Attach the boards
Boards go up for privacy or picket style, with hardware chosen to resist rust and staining.
- Step 5
Finish and clean up
We add a finish if you want one, hang the gate, and haul away the old fence and debris.
The details
Height, permits and neighbors.
Rules differ from city to city. The figures below are Menlo Park's, as an example, and should be checked for your address.
State building codeUp to 7 ftCalifornia exempts fences not over 7 feet from a building permit, but local rules still apply.
Menlo Park front yard4 ftMaximum height in the required front setback.
Menlo Park elsewhere7 ftMaximum height outside the front setback, and 3 ft in the corner-lot sight triangle.
Shared fences30 days noticeCalifornia expects 30 days written notice before a landowner incurs shared fence costs.
Neighbors and shared fences
Under California Civil Code 841, neighbors on either side of a boundary fence are presumed to share its reasonable cost equally, and a landowner who plans to incur costs must give neighbors 30 days written notice. The state's spite-fence law (Civil Code 841.4) covers fences over 10 feet built maliciously to annoy a neighbor. It is not a general height limit, so your city's rules are the ones to check. If there is a dispute, ask an attorney. We build where you tell us, so if you are unsure of your property line, a survey is the safe way to find it.
Materials
Lumber and hardware.
Pressure-treated posts
Pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact is another good choice for posts, with boards chosen to match the look you want.
Hardware
Stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners resist rust and stop staining. Ordinary nails and screws can streak the wood.
Photos
Wood fences, for ideas.
Stock photos for inspiration. Tap one to see it larger, then ask us what is possible in your yard.
Afterward
Making a fence last.
Finish it
A clear water repellent can help protect the wood, or you can let it weather to gray. Either is a valid choice.
Keep soil and plants off
Soil piled against boards and vines that hold moisture shorten a fence life. Leave a little room along the base.
Catch problems early
A loose post or a few bad boards are small jobs now and bigger ones if the fence leans. We repair fences too.
Related services
Often built together.
Most yards need more than one trade. These pair well with this one.
PaversPaver patios
A paver patio gives you a flat, tough spot for dining, grilling and hanging out. We lay out the shape, build a compacted base, set the pavers and lock them in.
See details
ConcreteConcrete patios and walkways
Flat, smooth and built to last. Concrete patios, walkways, pads and slabs poured and finished to the shape you need.
See details
FencesFence gates and repairs
A leaning fence or a sagging gate doesn't always mean a whole new fence. We fix what can be fixed and build gates that swing right.
See detailsWhere we work
We build wood fences across the Bay Area.
Based in Menlo Park, working in 20 Bay Area cities. Pick yours to see what we build there.
Questions
Wood fences: questions, answered.
How tall can my fence be?
It depends on your city and where the fence is. In Menlo Park, for example, fences can be up to 4 feet in the front setback and 7 feet elsewhere, with a 3 foot limit near corners. Other cities have different limits, and we will point out what to check for your address.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
California's building code exempts fences not over 7 feet from a building permit, but cities add their own planning rules, and some require a permit at lower heights or in certain areas. It is always worth confirming with your city's planning office.
Who pays for a fence between neighbors?
California Civil Code 841 presumes neighbors share equally the reasonable cost of a dividing fence, unless they agree otherwise in writing. A landowner who plans to incur costs must give the neighbor 30 days written notice. For disputes, ask an attorney.
What wood is best for a fence?
Redwood is popular. For posts, redwood heartwood grades or ground-contact pressure-treated lumber are the durable choices. We will go over options and budget at the estimate.
Can you remove my old fence?
Yes. We take down and haul away the old fence as part of the job, and can reuse anything still sound if you would like.
Let's talk
Ready for a yard you'll love?
Call, text, email or send a request. Tell us what you want to build and we'll set up a free estimate.
Free estimates for pavers, concrete and fences, from Menlo Park to the whole Bay Area.
Call or text today(650) 334-6529
Menlo Park, CA · Serving the whole Bay Area · Estimates are free