What actually changes the price
Posts and footings. A fence is only as good as its posts. Ask what's going in the ground: pressure-treated wood, galvanized steel, or something else, and how deep. Steel posts with wood panels cost a little more and outlast wood posts by years, since wood posts rot at the soil line first. Termites are common in San Diego, which is one more reason to keep wood off the dirt.
Wind. When Santa Ana winds blow, a solid 6-foot privacy fence acts like a sail. A good bid accounts for post spacing and depth on exposed lots. Shadowbox or slatted styles let some wind through.
Gates. Gates are where fences fail first. A wide wood gate sags without a steel frame or an anti-sag kit. Driveway gates, especially automatic ones, can cost as much as a long run of fence.
Removal and hauling. Tearing out an old fence and hauling it away is real labor. Some bids include it and some don't.
Block walls are a different job. CMU walls need footings, rebar, and often engineering on slopes or above certain heights. Price them separately and get a permit answer in writing.
Rules worth knowing before you sign
- Height limits. Most cities in the county allow about 6 feet in side and back yards and much lower (often 3 to 4 feet) in front yards. Fences over 7 feet generally need a building permit under California's building code. Your city's zoning code has the exact numbers.
- Shared fences. California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code 841) presumes neighbors share the cost of a boundary fence equally, and asks for 30 days' written notice before work. Our free neighbor fence letter generator writes that notice for you. It's a starting point, not a guarantee, and it doesn't cover upgrades your neighbor didn't agree to.
- Property lines. If you're not sure where the line is, a survey is cheaper than a lawsuit. Don't rely on the old fence location.
- Call 811 before digging. DigAlert is free and required in California. Contractors should call; ask them to confirm they did.
- HOAs. Many HOAs specify fence material, color, and height. Get approval in writing.
Questions to ask every bidder
- Is your license active? Check at the CSLB site. Fence work is usually under a C-13 fencing license.
- What posts, how deep, how far apart, and set in what?
- Is removal and haul-away included?
- What's the warranty on workmanship, and on gates specifically?
- What's the payment schedule? California caps most home improvement down payments at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less.
Red flags
- A big cash deposit up front.
- No written contract with the material, height, and length spelled out.
- Unwilling to say who handles permits or DigAlert.
- A price far below the others with no explanation.
Use the calculator and this guide even if you never fill out our form. That's what they're here for.
Town guides
Questions
Are you a fence company?
No. We're a free quote-matching service. We don't install fences. With your consent we pass your request to up to 3 local fence contractors.
How accurate is the fence calculator?
It gives typical San Diego installed ranges by material and height. Slope, soil, access, gates, and permits change real quotes. Use it to sanity-check bids.
Does it cost anything?
No. It's free and you don't have to hire anyone.
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot fence?
In most San Diego County cities, a 6-foot wood or vinyl fence in a side or back yard doesn't need a building permit, but taller fences, walls, and front-yard fences have limits. Check your city's rules.
Which areas do you cover?
San Diego County, including Chula Vista, El Cajon, Santee, Oceanside, and Escondido.