Your Questions, Answered
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Several factors impact the cost of a fence, and not all fences are built the same. The biggest drivers are materials, labor, and site conditions.
Materials: Different types of posts, railings, pickets, gates and styles can all impact the costs.
Post installation: In Central Texas, we have a massive amount of rock underground, often just inches below the surface. Therefore, properly setting posts (2’ deep with concrete) takes significantly more labor.
Layout: Slopes, corners, and gates increase complexity
Nails vs Scews in pickets
Design choices: Height, number of rails, toppers, and trim all affect price
A lower quote often means corners are being cut somewhere—usually in post depth, materials, or labor quality.
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A little preparation upfront will help you get accurate quotes and make the process much easier:
Talk with your neighbors first
If you share a fence line, start the conversation early. Discuss cost sharing and preferred style to avoid delays later.Have a general idea of what you want
You don’t need all the details, but knowing basics like height, style (privacy, horizontal, etc.), and wood vs. steel posts helps us guide you.Know which sections you want replaced
Decide if you’re replacing the full fence or just certain sides so we can measure and quote accurately.Check HOA guidelines (if applicable)
Some neighborhoods require specific styles, heights, or stain colors.Take a look at your property
Note slopes, trees, landscaping, or anything that could affect the fence line or installation.Research reputable fence companies
Ask for recommendations on Facebook, Nextdoor, or Instagram, and look for companies with strong reviews, proper insurance, and a primary focus on fencing. Fence installation is very different from general landscaping or construction—it requires experience working with property lines, neighbors, and long-term durability.
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A properly built fence in our area should last 15–20+ years.
The biggest factors in longevity are:
Steel posts vs. wood posts
Quality of cedar pickets
Proper post depth (especially in rocky soil)
Drainage and airflow
Most fences that fail early do so because of poor installation—not because of the wood itself.
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What materials do you recommend for the longest-lasting fence
For longevity, we recommend:
Steel or PostMaster posts (to prevent rot)
Western Red Cedar pickets (naturally resistant to bugs and warping)
Pressure-treated pine rails (strong and cost-effective)
3-rail construction (adds stability and reduces warping)
This combination gives you the best balance of durability, appearance, and value.
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Yes—this is one of the best upgrades you can make.
Round Steel posts:
Will not rot or warp like wood posts
Provide long-term structural stability
Handle wind and soil movement better
PostMaster posts are especially popular for privacy fences because they are hidden within the fence, giving you a clean wood look with the strength of steel.
It’s a small upfront investment that can add years to the life of your fence.
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Both are great options, but they serve slightly different purposes.
PostMaster Posts:
Hidden inside the fence
Clean, all-wood appearance on both sides
Ideal for “good neighbor” privacy fences
Have the highest wind rating
Lifetime warranty
Round Steel Posts:
Visible from one side
Can be boxed out with pickets to hide
Extremely strong and long-lasting
We help you choose based on your style preference and budget.
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A rot board (also called a kickboard) is a pressure-treated board installed along the bottom of your fence, between the ground and the cedar pickets.
Its purpose is to:
Protect your pickets from ground contact and moisture
Prevent damage from sprinklers, weed eaters, and debris
Extend the overall life of your fence
It can also add up to 4” of height to your fence
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Not everyone needs 3 rails on their fence., but there are many advantages in having 3 rails for most fences.
Here’s why:
Helps prevent pickets from warping over time
Adds overall strength and durability
Holds up better in Texas heat and weather
2 rails may save a little upfront, but 3 rails will extend the life and appearance of your fence.
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We typically build our fences using hot-dipped galvanized ring-shank nails, which are a strong and cost-effective option.
These nails:
Hold very well over time
Allow the wood to naturally expand and contract
Help keep the overall project cost lower due to reduced labor
However, if you have large dogs or kids that may push or play against the fence, upgrading to deck screws can be a good option. Screws provide additional holding strength and can add durability in high-impact areas.
We’re happy to help you choose the best option based on how your fence will be used.
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We set our posts at 2 feet deep, even in rocky Central Texas soil. If the ground is not rocky, we go deeper than 2 feet deep.
This matters because:
Shallow posts are the #1 reason fences lean or fail
Deeper posts create a stronger foundation
It helps your fence withstand wind, soil movement, and time
In our area, we often use jackhammers to reach proper depth—something many companies skip because it’s more labor-intensive.
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We stand behind our work and offer a 3-year labor warranty on our fences.
This includes:
Fixing issues related to workmanship
Gate adjustments if they shift over time
Addressing problems caused by normal settling
In addition, many of the materials we use—such as PostMaster steel posts—come with their own manufacturer warranties, including lifetime coverage against rot and failure.
It’s important to note that natural wood will change over time. Things like:
Shrinking
Minor cracking
Color fading
are normal and not considered defects.
We’ve built thousands of fences in Central Texas, and we stand behind every one of them.”
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Yes—we have extensive experience with commercial fencing projects.
We’ve worked with:
Warehouses
Schools
Camps
Dog Kennels
Apartment communities
And a variety of other commercial properties
We understand the importance of durability, security, and meeting project requirements, and we work closely with property managers, contractors, and owners to ensure everything is completed efficiently and to spec.
If you have a commercial project, we’re happy to review your needs and provide a customized quote.
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It is our goal is to deliver the exact fence you and your neighbors want. Being present during installation allows for clearer communication throughout the project.
We treat every fence as a custom build and may ask questions about details such as height off the ground, corner alignment, fence orientation, ground slope, and gate placement.
If you’re unable to be present, we completely understand—we can easily communicate with you via FaceTime or phone to ensure everything is built exactly to your expectations.
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In Texas, most fences are built directly on the shared property line, which allows neighbors to split the cost since both benefit from the new fence.
There is no rule in Texas (unless is specifies in your HOA) that says if the pickets or posts face your side or that you are responsible for the full cost. That’s one of the reasons “good neighbor” style fences are so popular—they look the same on both sides and make it easier for neighbors to share expenses fairly.
We design our quotes with clearly divided sections, making it simple to split costs with your neighbors and avoid confusion
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Yes—and this is something we specialize in.
We break our quotes into clearly labeled sections so:
Each neighbor can easily see their portion
Costs can be split accurately
Everyone understands exactly what they’re paying for
This makes the process much smoother and helps avoid confusion.
If you are replacing your full fence, you receive our full fence discounted pricing.
If neighbors choose to share the cost of any shared sections, they also benefit from that same multi neighbor discount, if applicable, generally when the scope of all projects combined are over 100 linear feet.
They also can add additional parts of the fence and will get the same discounted price.
This allows everyone involved to take advantage of the lower pricing that comes with completing more work at the same time.
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Unfortunately this can happen sometimes but it doesn’t mean the project can’t move forward.
If your neighbor is hesitant, here are a few ways to help them feel more comfortable:
Share the quote with them – We provide clearly divided sections so they can easily see their portion of the cost
Explain the benefit – A new fence improves privacy, security, and property value for both homes
Offer options – Sometimes adjusting the style, height, or materials can make the cost more manageable
Give them time – Not everyone is ready to commit right away, but having the information helps them make a decision
If they still choose not to participate, you can absolutely move forward on your own. In that case, we can walk you through the best placement options to keep the fence fully on your property if needed.
We’re also happy to help guide the conversation or answer any questions your neighbor may have.
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“Yes!
Once everyone approves the project in writing, we’ll take care of splitting the invoice and billing each neighbor for their portion of the fence. At the end of the project, everyone will have their own paid receipt for their records.
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At Ram Fencing, we love taking care of our customers! We offer special discounts for repeat customers, as well as military, first responders, seniors, and multi-home discounts.
We also run promotions throughout the year, and when we receive great pricing from our vendors, we pass those savings along to you. From time to time, we’re even able to offer free upgrades—like steel posts or an extra rail on full fence projects
When multiple neighbors move forward with their fences at the same time, we’re able to offer multi house discounted pricing. This is because we can build everything in one project, which saves time on labor, materials, and scheduling.
Benefits include:
Lower cost per homeowner
A consistent look across all properties
Faster overall completion
We also structure our quotes so each neighbor can clearly see their portion, while still benefiting from the group discount.
Most neighbors find that working together is the most cost-effective way to replace their fences.
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Gaps are intentional.
Wood naturally expands and contracts with weather changes. If a gate is built too tight:
It can bind or stop working over time
It may sag or warp
We build gates with small gaps so they continue to function properly long-term.
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It is completely natural for the cedar to change colors. When your fence is first installed, cedar has those warm reddish, honey, and pink tones.
That color comes from natural oils inside the wood. Cedar changes color because of sun, air, and moisture breaking down the surface.
It’s expected, it’s normal, and it doesn’t hurt the fence—it just changes how it looks. -
Yes—we offer staining for newly installed fences only.
Older fences will need to be power washed before staining. They will look different in appearance rather than a uniform finish because wood ages, fades, and absorbs stain differently over time, matching new stain to old stain is difficult
We typically recommend Wood Defender, a commercial-grade stain with a wide variety of colors that provides excellent coverage and long-lasting protection. It also comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
We’re also happy to use HOA-approved stains if your neighborhood requires a specific product or color.
The most important factors for a successful stain are:
Using a high-quality oil-based stain
Making sure the wood is completely dry before application
Proper timing and application make a big difference in how your fence looks and how long the stain lasts
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You don’t have to stain your fence, but we do recommend it if you want it to keep its color and look new longer.
Cedar will naturally fade to a gray/silver over time from the sun and weather. That doesn’t hurt the structure of the fence, but it does change the appearance fairly quickly.
Staining helps protect the wood from UV and moisture and keeps the color more consistent. Most of our customers who skip staining end up wishing they had done it later.
If you do decide to stain, we recommend waiting about a month after installation so the wood can fully dry. We typically use an oil-based stain like Wood Defender for the best results.
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No—we don’t charge extra for sprinkler “insurance.”
Instead, we focus on doing the job the right way from the start. Our crews dig carefully and take the time to avoid sprinkler lines as much as possible.
Before installation, we ask that you:
Show us where your sprinkler heads and lines are located
Run your system if needed so we can identify active areas
Even with precautions, sprinkler lines can occasionally be hit since they are often shallow and not marked by 811.
If that happens, we repair it at no charge. We also recommend testing your sprinkler system both before and after installation to make sure everything is working properly.
We stand behind our work and will take care of any sprinkler repairs within 7 days after installation.
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It is essential to Call Before you Dig. When you call 811 (or submit a request online), they notify utility companies to come mark where underground lines are located, like:
Gas
Electric
Water
Cable / internet
Sewer
They’ll mark your yard with paint and flags so you know where it’s safe to dig.
🎯 Why It Matters (especially for fencing)
Prevents hitting utilities (which can be dangerous and expensive)
Required by law before digging in most areas (including Texas)
Protects you from liability if something goes wrong
Free service—there’s no cost to call
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We always contact 811 before starting any project so utilities can be properly marked. This helps identify:
Gas lines
Water lines
Electrical lines
Communication lines
This is a critical safety step and part of our standard process on every job.
It’s important to note that private lines, such as sprinkler systems or some low-voltage lines, are not marked by 811. That’s why we also ask homeowners to point out any known sprinkler heads or lines before we begin.
Even with markings, our crews dig carefully and take extra precautions around all marked areas.
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Most fence replacements in the Austin area do not require a permit if the new fence is similar in style and height to your existing one. However, permits may be required if you are changing the style or increasing the height to 8 feet. We recommend checking your local city requirements based on your zip code. If a permit is required, our team can help facilitate this for you.
Most HOAs also have specific guidelines for fencing, so it’s important to review their requirements before starting your project. The materials used by Ram Fencing meet HOA standards, and we are recommended by many HOAs throughout the area.
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To make things easy, we accept a wide range of payment options, including Zelle, Venmo, checks, ACH transfers, cash, and most major credit cards.
We do not offer financing.
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Fences usually don’t fail because of the pickets—the main reason is how the posts are installed. The posts are what hold the entire fence up, and if they aren’t set deep enough, secured properly, or suited for the soil conditions, the fence will eventually lean or fail.
Other factors like strong winds, moisture around the base, and lower-quality materials can also shorten the life of a fence, but those issues typically show up much sooner when the structure isn’t built correctly to begin with.
That’s why we focus heavily on proper installation—making sure posts are set at the right depth and built to handle our local ground and weather conditions. It makes a big difference in how long the fence lasts.
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A lot of fences fail because the posts weren’t installed deep enough—not because the wood is bad.
If your pickets and rails are still in good shape, we can replace the posts and give your fence another 5+ years without the cost of a full replacement.
If the wood itself is worn out too, then replacement makes more sense.