What to know before you start
A fence quote is mostly about posts. How deep they go, how they are set and how far apart they stand decide whether the fence stays straight after a few winters of wind and frost.
Our estimator walks the fence line, measures each run and notes slopes, gates and any old fence that has to come out. The True Bid lists height, material, post spacing and gate hardware, so every contractor bids on the same fence. Your contact information stays private until you choose one.
What the job includes
- Removal and hauling of the old fence
- Utility locates through Colorado 811 before anyone digs
- Posts set at the depth and spacing in the scope
- Rails, pickets or panels in the material you choose
- Gates with hinges, latches and drop rods sized to the opening
- Stepped or racked sections that follow the slope
- Stain or sealer on wood fences, if the scope includes it
- Cleanup of soil and concrete spoils
What we scope
Wood privacy fences
Cedar or treated pine in solid, shadowbox or horizontal styles. The most common backyard fence in many neighborhoods.
Vinyl fences
Privacy and picket styles that don't need paint or stain. Panels can crack in hail or hard cold.
Metal fences
Ornamental aluminum and steel for open views, pool areas and front yards.
Ranch and rail fences
Split rail, post and rail and wire fencing for acreage around Franktown, Larkspur, Sedalia and other rural parts of the county.
Chain link
A practical choice for dog runs, side yards and utility areas.
What drives the cost
Every project is different, so your True Bid prices yours line by line after the site visit. These are the things that move the price most.
- Length and height
- Footage sets most of the price, and taller fences need bigger posts and more material.
- Material
- Chain link and wood usually cost less than vinyl and ornamental metal.
- Gates
- Each gate adds posts, hardware and labor. Wide drive gates need heavier framing.
- Ground and slope
- Rocky ground, hard clay and steep grades slow post digging and call for stepped sections.
- Tear-out
- Removing an old fence and its concrete footings adds labor and hauling.
- Style
- Shadowbox, horizontal and custom designs use more material and labor than a basic picket fence.
Permits and HOAs in Douglas County
Fences are often exempt from building permits below a height limit set by the local code. Zoning rules still commonly cover height, location and setbacks, especially near streets, corners and driveways. Castle Rock, Parker, Lone Tree, Castle Pines and Larkspur write their own rules, and unincorporated areas, including Highlands Ranch, follow Douglas County's.
HOAs are often the strictest gatekeeper. Many Douglas County associations set fence style, height and stain color, and some limit where a fence can go at all. Pool barriers have their own rules. Know where your property line is before you build. We note the approvals in the scope.
Built for Douglas County
Wind is hard on fences here. A solid privacy fence catches it like a sail, so post depth, post size and rail spacing matter more than the boards. Expansive clay and freeze-thaw can lift posts that aren't set deep enough, and the dry, high-altitude sun cracks and grays wood that goes without stain.
On acreage, open rail and wire designs let deer and elk cross more easily than solid fencing. In wildfire risk areas, fire safety guidance often recommends a noncombustible section where a wood fence meets the house.
How DougCO Builds runs your project
- Tell us about itSend the basics through the project form. We call to set up a site visit.
- One site visitOur estimator measures, photographs what's there and talks through what you want.
- Your True BidYou get a written, line-by-line scope and a budget before any contractor sees the job.
- Contractors bid on the same scopeVetted local contractors bid without your contact details. You compare the bids side by side.
- We manage it with youWe check insurance and licensing before work starts, then walk the job at milestones and at the finish.
Questions to ask before you hire
- How deep will the posts go, how far apart, and how are they set?
- Who calls Colorado 811 for utility locates?
- Will the fence step down the slope or follow the grade?
- What hardware comes on each gate, and how do you keep gates from sagging?
- Who confirms the property line before the first post goes in?
Fencing questions
Do I need a permit for a fence in Douglas County?
Often not for a fence under the local height limit, but zoning and HOA rules still apply. Taller fences, retaining walls and pool barriers can need approval. Your contractor checks with your town or Douglas County, and we note it in the scope.
How do I know where my property line is?
Your plat map shows the lot, but stakes set by a licensed surveyor are the surest answer. Building a little inside the line helps avoid disputes with neighbors.
Wood or vinyl?
Wood usually costs less and can be repaired board by board, but it needs stain to hold up in our sun. Vinyl skips the staining but can crack in hail or hard cold, and damaged panels need matching replacements.
Can you replace just part of my fence?
Yes, if the posts on either side are sound. New wood won't match weathered boards right away, and older vinyl or metal styles can be hard to find. Our estimator notes this before anyone bids.
