Fences that stand straight and true.
Wood, vinyl, and ornamental fencing — posts set in concrete, runs laid out true, and hardware that won't rust out in a season.
A good fence is invisible work — straight posts, plumb panels, consistent height. We dig real footings, set posts in concrete, and build with hardware that holds up to East Bay weather.
- Cedar & redwood privacy fencing
- Vinyl & composite panels
- Ornamental iron & tubular steel
- Gates with custom hardware
- Posts set in concrete footings
- Tear-out and replacement
Built post by post, the right way.
The fence you see is only as good as the holes you don't. We dig to proper depth, set posts plumb, and pour concrete around each one so your fence stays where we put it.
- Footings dug below frost line
- Pressure-treated or galvanized posts
- Hot-dip galvanized fasteners
- Coordinated with gates and hardware
Fence materials & styles
We build cedar and redwood board fencing in dog-ear, French gothic, board-and-batten, horizontal modern, and good-neighbor configurations, plus ornamental iron, tubular steel, vinyl, and chain-link where the application calls for it. Most Walnut Creek, Lafayette, and Danville clients choose 6-foot cedar with a 12-inch lattice top or a horizontal slat detail for a clean, contemporary look that still feels warm against stucco homes.
- Cedar & redwood — naturally rot-resistant, ages to silver
- Horizontal slat & shadow-box styles
- Board-and-batten and good-neighbor designs
- Ornamental iron & tubular steel for pool and front-yard fencing
- Custom gates with self-closing hinges and keyed entry
Posts, footings & structural detail
We use pressure-treated 4x4 or 4x6 posts set 24–30 inches deep in concrete footings — deeper on slope and in expansive soils across Lafayette, Orinda, and Alamo. Stringers are face-nailed or pocket-screwed with hot-dip galvanized fasteners that won't bleed black rust streaks down your cedar in year two. Caps are flashed or beveled to shed water away from the post top.
- Pressure-treated 4x4 or 4x6 posts
- 24–30 inch deep concrete footings
- Hot-dip galvanized or stainless fasteners only
- Beveled or capped post tops to shed water
- Steel post option for masonry-bound runs
Gates done right
A sagging gate is the single most common fence complaint we hear. We build gates with diagonal bracing, heavy-duty self-closing hinges, and gate posts a size larger than the run posts, so they swing true years later. We also install Magnalatch top-pull latches for pool-code compliance, keypad locks, and matching pedestrian and driveway gates.
- Anti-sag bracing on every gate
- Heavy-duty self-closing hinges
- Pool-code compliant Magnalatch hardware
- Keypad, key, and smart-lock options
- Matching pedestrian and double driveway gates
Maintenance & longevity
An unfinished cedar fence weathers to a soft silver-gray over 6–12 months and lasts 15–20+ years here without any treatment. If you want to lock in the warm brown tone, plan on a penetrating UV-protective stain every 3–4 years. Posts are your first failure point — when one eventually rots out, we can replace a single post without rebuilding the run.
- Leave natural for silver patina — no maintenance
- Stain every 3–4 years to keep warm color
- Replace individual posts without full rebuild
- Re-tighten gate hinges every couple of years
Built to stay plumb.
- 01
Site visit & layout
We mark property lines, identify any easements or shared-fence neighbors to coordinate with, and walk the line you want to build. You'll see a written quote with materials, height, post spacing, and gate details.
- 02
Demo of existing fence
Old fencing is removed and posts pulled or cut flush below grade. We protect adjacent landscaping and haul all debris off the property.
- 03
Layout & post holes
We string-line the run, mark each post location at consistent 6- or 8-foot spacing, and dig footings to depth — adjusting for slope, grade changes, and underground utilities (located before digging).
- 04
Set posts in concrete
Each post is set plumb in a wet-set concrete footing crowned to shed water away from the wood. Posts cure overnight before any framing.
- 05
Frame & infill
Stringers are installed level (or stepped on slope), then pickets or slats are face-nailed with consistent spacing. Cap rails and trim boards are added where the design calls for them.
- 06
Gates, hardware & walkthrough
Gates are hung, braced, and adjusted to close true. We clean the site, walk the finished fence with you, and warranty the workmanship.
We've built fences on every kind of Contra Costa lot — flat Pleasant Hill backyards, sloped Lafayette hillsides, narrow Walnut Creek side yards — and the difference is always in the post depth, the bracing, and the hardware.
Fencing, answered.
Real answers to what Contra Costa County homeowners ask us most.
How much does a new wood fence cost per linear foot?+
A standard 6-foot cedar good-neighbor fence in Contra Costa County runs $55–$95 per linear foot installed, including 4x4 pressure-treated posts set in concrete, dog-eared or square-top boards, and galvanized hardware. Premium cedar, redwood, horizontal-board, or steel-post systems run higher.
Wood vs. vinyl vs. ornamental iron — which lasts longest in the East Bay?+
Ornamental iron lasts 30+ years with occasional repainting. Vinyl lasts 20–30 years and never needs staining. Cedar and redwood typically last 15–25 years with periodic sealing. The right choice depends on look, budget, and how much maintenance you want to do.
How deep should fence post holes be?+
We dig fence posts to a minimum of 24 inches for a 6-foot fence — usually 30 inches in expansive Contra Costa clay — and set them in concrete with the base sloped to shed water. Shallow posts are why so many DIY fences lean within a couple of years.
Do I need a permit to replace my fence in Walnut Creek or Danville?+
Most Contra Costa cities don't require a permit for replacement fences up to 6 feet on side and rear property lines, or 3–4 feet in front yard setbacks. Taller fences, fences on corner lots, or fences in HOA neighborhoods (parts of Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk) often have additional rules — we'll confirm before we start.
Will you split the cost with my neighbor?+
California's Good Neighbor Fence Law presumes shared-boundary fences are a 50/50 cost. We can provide a written estimate and the statutory notice your neighbor needs. Many of our jobs are co-funded — we'll bill each party separately if that's easier.
How long does fence installation take?+
A typical 100-foot residential fence install — tear-out, posts set in concrete, and panels — takes 3–5 working days, with a 24-hour wait after the post concrete cures before panel installation. Larger fences with custom gates run 1–2 weeks.
"In addition to the concrete patio, he also recently built a fence for me and did an excellent job. The workmanship was solid, communication was good, and everything was completed professionally. I'm very happy with both projects and would recommend A-K Landscaping & Concrete to anyone."
Let's plan your project.
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