Here are brief answers to the fence questions Scottsdale homeowners ask us most. The longer guides on cost, permits, repairs and neighbors are linked at the foot of the page.
How deep should fence posts be set?
Deep enough for the height of the fence and the wind it will catch. Scottsdale has no frost depth to design for. A usual rule of thumb puts around one third of the post in the ground, and more for gate posts and solid panels. Where caliche or rock is met, the hole is cut into it. A post sitting on top of a hard layer in shallow soil will not hold.
Should posts be set in concrete, gravel or foam?
We use concrete. It is the normal method in the valley and the only one we trust for gates, corners and solid fences. Water drains slowly through caliche, so we crown the top of the footing to shed irrigation away from the post. Expanding foam cures fast, but we do not use it under gates or tall fences.
How long should I wait before staining a new wood fence?
Only until the wood will absorb finish, and in Scottsdale's dry air that is a short wait. Flick some water at a board. If the drops sink in, go ahead. If they sit on top, give it more time. Avoid leaving new wood unprotected over a summer, since sun damage starts within months.
How much does it cost to stain or seal a fence?
We cannot give a fixed figure. Area, product and the state of the wood all change it. Ask for it as its own line on the estimate.
Can I use deck screws to fix loose pickets?
Yes, provided they are coated for exterior use or stainless. Screws grip better than nails as boards shrink through the dry months and swell in monsoon humidity. Pre-drill near board ends, because sun-dried wood splits readily.
Can a faded vinyl fence be painted?
It can, with paint made for vinyl. Stay with a light shade. Dark paint soaks up heat, and under a Scottsdale summer sun a panel can distort. Scrub off the chalky layer before painting and plan on repainting later.
I want a double gate for an RV or trailer but my posts are weak. Reinforce or rebuild?
Rebuild them. A double RV gate is heavy and wide, and it wants its own deep-set steel posts, with a drop rod at the center and often a wheel. In a block wall, a section is removed and steel posts are set on both sides of the new opening. Read your HOA rules on RV gates and on parking a trailer behind them before you start.
Will a fence keep coyotes, javelina and snakes out?
A fence reduces visits but cannot promise none. Coyotes jump and climb, so height counts and nothing should be stored against the outside. Javelina shove under loose bottoms. For rattlesnakes, fine mesh on the lower section of a view fence and tight sweeps under gates are the usual measures. We can include all of these.
Does a new fence raise my property taxes?
Ask the Maricopa County Assessor's Office, which values land and improvements. Next to the house, a fence is a minor item.
A real price needs someone to stand on your lot and measure. That visit is free. Call (480) 530-6409, or text a photo of the fence line to the same number.