Short answers to the questions we hear most in San Jose and the nearby towns. Links to the full guides on price, permits, repairs and shared fences are at the foot of the page.
How deep should fence posts be set?
Depth is set by how tall the fence is and what soil it stands in. There is no frost line in San Jose. A widely used rule of thumb puts about one third of the post in the ground. We go deeper for gate posts, tall solid fences, downhill posts and adobe clay, because the upper layer of that clay moves every year.
Should posts be set in concrete, gravel or foam?
We use concrete for gates, corners, slopes and any solid fence. Clay drains poorly, so a little gravel under the post and a concrete top sloped away from the wood keep water from sitting there. Foam products cure quickly, but we would not hang a gate or a 6-foot fence on them.
How long should I wait before staining a new wood fence?
Until the lumber is dry. Sprinkle water on a board to test it. Water that soaks in means the wood is ready, and water that beads means wait. In San Jose's dry season new redwood can be ready in a few weeks. Pressure-treated wood arrives wet and takes longer, and a fence built in the rainy months dries slowly.
How much does it cost to stain or seal a fence?
There is no single price, because it goes by square footage and the condition of the wood. We can add it as a separate line when we quote the fence.
Can I use deck screws to fix loose pickets?
You can, if they are exterior-coated or stainless. Plain steel leaves black streaks on redwood and cedar and rusts once sprinklers hit it. Go with stainless or hot-dip galvanized screws and neither happens.
Can a faded vinyl fence be painted?
It can, using a paint formulated for vinyl. It will need repainting in time. Stay away from dark shades, since they absorb heat in the summer sun and can distort the panels. Wash the fence thoroughly before deciding. Cleaning often brings back much of the color.
I want a double gate for an RV or trailer but my posts are weak. Reinforce or rebuild?
Rebuild them. A wide double gate needs its own heavy posts in deep concrete footings, and in adobe clay that depth is what keeps the leaves aligned. Standard line posts cannot carry it. We set new gate posts and rebuild the adjoining section to tie in. Ask your city about side-yard RV parking rules as well.
Will deer jump my fence?
In Almaden, the east foothills, Los Gatos and Saratoga, they will if it is low. A deer clears an ordinary garden fence easily. Owners who want to keep them out need a tall fence, and the height a city allows varies, so we confirm it for the address before designing one.
Does a new fence raise my property taxes?
That is a question for the Santa Clara County Assessor's Office, which decides what is assessable new construction. Next to the house itself a fence is a small item.
We only give a firm price after measuring the line in person. The visit is free and you get the quote in writing. Call (408) 217-2790 or text a photo of the fence.