A slope does not rule out a fence. It changes the method. On a racked fence the rails run parallel to the ground and the pickets stand vertical, so the bottom stays close to the soil. On a stepped fence each section is level and drops at the post, like stairs.
Which method suits which yard?
| Method | Use it when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Racked | The grade is gentle to moderate | Not every pre-made panel can rack far |
| Stepped | The grade is steep or the panels are rigid | Leaves a wedge-shaped opening under each section |
| Boards cut to grade | You want wood with no gaps | More labor, since every board is fitted |
My yard slopes and I have a dog that digs. How do I close the gaps?
Combine a ground-following fence with something at the base. Racked panels or boards cut to grade remove the wedges. Below that, we can fit a treated kick board, pour a narrow concrete mow strip, or bury a skirt of galvanized mesh. Look at the fence again in September. Clay shrinks through the dry season and can open a space that was closed in May.
The lot is steep and rocky and two contractors turned the job down. Will you look at it?
Yes, we will come out and walk it. Steep ground is routine in the Almaden hills, above Evergreen, along the east foothills and in Los Gatos and Saratoga. Be ready for a longer schedule. Posts, concrete and boards are carried to the line, holes are dug with bars and hand tools, and the posts on the low side go deeper. Where we hit rock we core into it or pin the post. Tell us about retaining walls. A fence on or near a wall may be measured with the wall's height included, and the wall itself can require an engineer.
Are holes dug by hand or with a machine?
It depends on the yard. A flat lot with gate access gets a power auger. Hand digging is used on slopes, in narrow side yards, close to marked utilities, beside foundations and pool decks, and among tree roots. Dry adobe can defeat a light auger, so in late summer some valley-floor holes end up dug by hand as well.
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.