( Services — Everett, Seattle & the Eastside )
Fencesset to last.
Fences fail at the ground, not at the top. Everything that makes one last thirty years instead of eight happens in the first eighteen inches.
( 01 )
The posts are the whole job
A fence is a row of posts with infill between them. When one leans, sags or blows over in a November storm, the cause is almost always at grade: a post set directly in concrete with no drainage, so water collects in the socket and sits against the wood through eight wet months.
We set posts on a gravel base so the bottom can drain, use pressure-treated stock rated for ground contact, and crown the concrete away from the post so water runs off rather than pooling. It is a small amount of extra work and it is the difference between a fence you repair and one you replace.
( 02 )
Cedar, and what else is worth considering
Western red cedar is the regional standard for good reason — naturally rot-resistant, locally available, and it weathers to grey gracefully if you let it. Left untreated it will still outlast most alternatives here; sealed or stained on a cycle it lasts considerably longer.
Composite and vinyl cost more up front and need almost nothing afterwards, which suits long runs and owners who do not want a maintenance cycle. Hog wire or cable panels in a cedar frame give you a fence that keeps a view, which matters on the sloped and water-facing lots through Mukilteo and Edmonds.
( 03 )
Lines, heights and neighbours
Two things are worth settling before anyone digs. The first is where your property line actually runs — not where the old fence sits, which is frequently not the same thing. On a disputed or unclear boundary a survey is cheap against the cost of moving a built fence.
The second is height. Most Washington cities allow around six feet in rear and side yards and less in front yards, with a permit required above that, and corner lots often have sight-triangle rules at the intersection. Limits vary by jurisdiction, so we confirm yours before scoping rather than after.
Typical investment
Broad Seattle-area ranges, not quotes — your written estimate is free and itemized.
| Tier | Range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar privacy fence | $40–$70 per linear foot | Pressure-treated posts on a drained base, cedar boards, standard gates. |
| Horizontal, board-on-board & composite | $65–$110 per linear foot | Tighter tolerances, more material, framed panels and custom gates. |
| Removal, grading & retaining | Quoted per site | Old fence demolition, stepped runs on slopes, short retaining where grade demands it. |
Fence Installation questions
- How much does a fence cost per foot?
- In the Seattle area a cedar privacy fence typically runs $40–$70 per linear foot installed, and horizontal, board-on-board or composite $65–$110. Slope, gate count, old-fence removal and access all move the number — a backyard a crew can only reach through a side gate costs more to build than the same run with driveway access.
- How tall can my fence be?
- Most Washington jurisdictions allow roughly six feet in rear and side yards and less in front, with a permit above that and sight-triangle limits near corners. It varies by city, so we confirm your parcel's rules before scoping. Building taller than allowed is one of the few mistakes that can require taking a finished fence back down.
- Should the posts be set in concrete?
- Yes, but on a gravel base rather than straight into a sealed socket, and with the concrete crowned so water sheds away from the post. Concrete alone traps moisture against the wood at exactly the point where fences rot, which is why so many fences here fail at grade long before the boards do.
- How long does a cedar fence last here?
- Properly set, fifteen to twenty-five years is realistic in this climate, and longer with a stain or seal cycle. Badly set posts cut that to under ten regardless of how good the cedar is.
Free In-Home Estimate
Let’s talk about your place.
Free estimates across Everett, Seattle & the Eastside. You’ll talk directly to Eduard — no call centers, no sales layer.