These are brief answers to questions San Jose owners ask us on site visits. The longer guides on prices, permits, repairs and neighbor fences are linked at the bottom.
How deep should fence posts go?
Deep enough for the height of the fence and the soil. San Jose has no frost depth to meet. The common guideline is to bury about a third of the post. We add depth for gate posts, 6-foot solid fences, posts on the low side of a slope, and any site with expansive clay, since the top foot or so of that soil shifts with the seasons.
Is it better to set posts in concrete, gravel or foam?
Concrete, for most fences here. It is what we use at gates, corners and on solid privacy fence. Because clay holds water, we put drainage rock at the bottom of the hole and finish the concrete in a dome above grade. Expanding foam sets fast and is light to carry up a hill, but we do not rely on it for gates or tall solid runs.
How long do I wait before staining new wood?
Wait for the wood to dry, then test it with a few drops of water. Absorbed drops mean it is ready. Beads mean it is not. Redwood put up in a San Jose summer can be ready within weeks. Pressure-treated lumber and fences built during the rainy season need longer.
What does it cost to stain or seal a fence?
We do not publish a figure. The price depends on the square footage of both faces, whether the wood is new or weathered, and the product. Ask and we will list it as an option on your fence quote.
Are deck screws fine for loose pickets?
Yes, provided they are rated for outdoor use. Choose stainless steel or hot-dip galvanized. Ordinary zinc or bare steel screws react with redwood and cedar and leave dark stains, and they corrode quickly where irrigation reaches them.
Can a faded vinyl fence be painted?
Yes, with paint made to bond to vinyl, and with the understanding that it becomes a maintenance item from then on. Choose a light color. Dark paint soaks up heat and can warp panels in summer. Try a proper wash first, because chalky oxidation often cleans off and the color underneath is better than expected.
I want a double gate for an RV or trailer, but the posts are weak. Brace them or start over?
Start over at the gate. Each leaf of a wide gate is a long lever on its post, and fence line posts were never sized for that. We install heavy gate posts, often steel, in large footings, then rebuild the bays on each side so the fence ties into them. In moving clay, anything less will sag. Your city may also have rules on parking an RV in a side yard, so check those.
How do I keep deer out?
With height. Deer in Almaden, the east foothills, Los Gatos and Saratoga step over low fences and jump ordinary ones. A tall open fence is the usual solution, but each city sets its own maximum, and hillside zones can have separate rules. We confirm the limit for your parcel before drawing anything.
Will my property taxes go up?
Ask the Santa Clara County Assessor's Office. It determines whether an improvement is assessable new construction. A fence is a minor improvement compared with a house or an addition.
For a price on your own fence line, book the free site visit. We measure, then send the quote in writing. Call (408) 539-3039.