Steel posts, deep footings
Posts go in the ground deeper than most crews bother with, in concrete, plumbed and lined before a single picket goes up. It's slower on day one and it's the whole ballgame on year ten.
Fencing
Fence Installation
Cedar, steel posts, screwed slats. Built once, built right.
Fencing is where Morrison started. Cedar and redwood privacy fences with galvanized steel posts set in concrete, slats fastened with screws instead of nails, and rails sized so the line stays straight after the first hard freeze.
Wood posts rot at the soil line — that's just what happens in North Texas clay. Steel posts don't, and that one decision is the difference between a fence you replace in eight years and one that's still standing at twenty.
Screws, not nails
Nails work loose with every expansion cycle, and DFW hands us plenty. Coated or stainless screws hold, and they let us swap one board later without tearing up three.
Old fence haul-off
We tear out the old fence, haul the debris, and leave the yard clean. You shouldn't be renting a dumpster for our mess.
Straight answers
- How long does a fence take?
- A typical residential yard is one to three days depending on footage, tear-out, and whether we're staining.
- Cedar or pine?
- Cedar, every time, for anything you want to keep. Pine is cheaper on the invoice and more expensive over the life of the fence.
- Do you split cost with my neighbor?
- Plenty of our jobs are shared between neighbors. We can write the estimate so both parties see the same numbers.
Fence Installation across the DFW metroplex
We run this service in every one of these cities and the towns between them.
Related services
Wood fence installation involves setting posts, attaching rails and pickets, fitting gates, and checking alignment and ground clearance. For a Dallas–Fort Worth property, the right installation depends on your fence line, soil conditions, privacy needs and access requirements—not just the type of wood you choose.
Home / Fence Installation
What should a wood fence installation estimate include?
A useful estimate identifies what will be built and what work is included. Fence length alone does not describe the job. Height, materials, post construction, gate openings and removal requirements all affect the scope.
Ask for these details in writing:
- Fence layout: Which runs are included, where they start and stop, and how corners or changes in elevation will be handled.
- Wood components: Picket material, rail dimensions, fence height and the arrangement of the boards.
- Posts and footings: Post material, spacing, footing specifications and attachment hardware.
- Fasteners: The screws or other specified connectors used to secure rails and pickets.
- Gates: Opening width, frame construction, hinges, latch and direction of swing.
- Removal: Whether demolition, old post removal and haul-off are included.
- Finishing and cleanup: Whether staining is included or separate, and how leftover material will be handled.
For Morrison Gate & Fence, an estimate request should start with your property’s needs and the sections you want installed. Clearly defined work makes proposals easier to compare and helps prevent assumptions about what is included.
Which wood fence style should I choose?
Start with what the fence needs to do. A privacy fence, an open boundary fence and a fence beside a sloping yard can require different layouts.
OptionWhen it makes senseWhat to consider
| Side-by-side pickets | You want a straightforward privacy layout | Small gaps can develop as boards dry and move |Board-on-board pickets | You want overlapping boards that limit direct sightlines | Overlapping construction uses more material |Cedar | You prefer its appearance and natural decay resistance | It still needs appropriate detailing and maintenance
Pressure-treated pineYou want wood treated for resistance to decayTreatment does not prevent all checking, twisting or shrinkage
Style and wood species are separate decisions. A board-on-board fence can use different wood species, and its performance still depends on the posts, rails and fasteners beneath it.
If appearance matters on both sides, discuss rail visibility and board orientation before installation. Also decide whether staining belongs in the initial scope or will be handled separately.
Why do steel posts, footings and fasteners matter?
Posts carry the fence’s weight and resist loads transferred through the boards and rails. Steel posts do not suffer wood rot, but their protective finish, brackets and installation details still matter. A steel post alone does not make a fence structurally sound.
Footing depth and diameter should suit the fence height, post design, soil and site conditions. “Deep footings” is not a complete specification. Ask how the proposed footing dimensions were selected rather than assuming one depth works for every property.
Screws can provide withdrawal resistance and allow individual boards to be removed during repairs. They must be suitable for exterior use and compatible with the wood treatment and connecting hardware. Indoor screws are not an appropriate substitute.
Rails should connect securely to the posts, and pickets should have appropriate clearance above soil. Keeping wood out of direct ground contact helps reduce persistent moisture exposure at the bottom of the fence.
Should I repair my fence or replace it?
The decision usually comes down to the condition of the supporting structure. A few damaged pickets do not necessarily justify replacement. Repeated problems across posts, rails and boards deserve a broader assessment.
Fence conditionDirection to considerWhat to check
| A few cracked or missing pickets | Targeted repair | Whether rails and nearby fasteners remain sound |One loose or leaning post | Localized structural repair | Post condition, footing movement and connected sections |Widespread rail decay or loose connections | Section replacement or full replacement | How much usable structure remains |Multiple failing posts and deteriorated boards | Full replacement | Removal scope and opportunities to improve the layout
Sound fence with one dragging gateGate adjustment or repairHinges, frame alignment, latch clearance and supporting posts
Replacement may also make sense when you need a different height, greater privacy or a wider access opening. Compare the complete repair scope against replacement rather than comparing only the initial material quantities.
How should gates and sloping ground affect the layout?
Plan gates before the fence line is finalized. The clear opening needs to accommodate what actually passes through it: people, lawn equipment, bins or other items. Measure those items rather than choosing an opening by eye.
A gate needs suitable supporting posts, a frame that resists sagging, and hinges and a latch matched to its construction. Check the swing path against grade changes, paving and nearby obstacles.
On sloping ground, a fence may follow the grade or use stepped sections. Following the grade can reduce uneven gaps beneath the fence; stepped construction creates level sections but may leave larger openings below them. Discuss the trade-off if you need to contain pets or limit access beneath the boards.
Avoid solving a bottom-gap problem by burying untreated picket ends or blocking a drainage path.
What should I check before scheduling fence installation?
Establish the intended fence line before digging begins. An existing fence is not proof of a property boundary. If the boundary is uncertain, resolve it with appropriate property records or a survey.
Confirm whether the proposed work requires municipal approval or is subject to applicable association requirements. Requirements can vary by property and scope, so do not assume a neighboring fence establishes what is allowed.
Utility locating also needs attention before excavation. Identify irrigation, private electrical lines and other underground features that may require separate locating.
For the estimate, gather:
- Photos of the full fence line and any damaged sections.
- Approximate lengths and the desired fence height.
- Gate locations and intended clear openings.
- Details about removal, access restrictions and nearby landscaping.
- Questions about staining, cleanup and reuse of existing components.
These details help define the work. Final measurements and site conditions still need to be confirmed.
How much does wood fence installation cost?
Cost depends on fence length and height, wood selection, post and footing requirements, gates, demolition and site access. A meaningful estimate should describe those items rather than provide an unexplained total. Ask whether haul-off, staining and work around existing landscaping are included or priced separately.
Can existing fence posts be reused?
Existing posts may be reusable if their condition, alignment, spacing and footings suit the new fence. A post that looks acceptable above ground can still have problems below the surface. Reuse should follow an assessment of the supporting structure, not simply a desire to avoid removal.
How long does fence installation take?
Installation time depends on the amount of fence, removal needs, digging conditions, gate work, weather and material availability. Concrete footing work can also affect when subsequent steps should happen. Ask for a schedule tied to your actual scope, including any separate visit for finishing or staining.
When should a new wood fence be stained?
Stain should be applied when the wood meets the coating manufacturer’s moisture and preparation requirements. New boards do not all dry at the same rate, especially treated lumber. Check wood moisture, surface condition and the weather forecast instead of relying on a fixed waiting period alone.
Request a fence installation estimate: Call Morrison Gate & Fence at (469) 654-7729 to discuss your Dallas–Fort Worth property, material preferences and gate requirements.