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For homeownersPrivacy, pets, pools or pure curb appeal — six ways to fence a yard, and honest guidance on which one actually fits yours.
Most homeowners land on one of these. If you are torn between two, we will price both on the same estimate so you can compare real numbers instead of guessing.
Full-height board fence that closes the yard off completely. Cedar or pressure-treated, 6 ft standard, 8 ft where code allows.
Boards run horizontally for a contemporary line. A premium build — it needs more posts and tighter tolerances than a standard fence.
Tongue-and-groove vinyl panels in white, tan or black. Never needs staining and will not rot, warp or attract insects.
Powder-coated aluminum pickets that secure the yard without blocking the view. The standard choice for pool enclosures.
Traditional spaced picket at 3–4 ft. Defines the property and contains pets without walling off the front of the house.
Arched gates, arbors, pergolas and driveway gates fabricated in our Alexandria shop to your opening and design.
An honest side-by-side. Costs are relative, not quotes — every yard is different, and grade, access and gates move the number more than material does.
| Wood | Vinyl | Aluminum | Chain Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Complete | Complete | None — open pickets | None |
| Upfront cost | $$ | $$$ | $$$ | $ |
| Maintenance | Re-seal every 2–3 yrs | Rinse occasionally | Wash annually | None |
| Typical lifespan | 15–25 yrs cedar | 30+ yrs | 30+ yrs | 20+ yrs |
| Handles slopes | Stepped or racked | Stepped only | Racks smoothly | Racks smoothly |
| Pool code | Possible with spec | Possible with spec | Best option | Possible with spec |
| Pets | Excellent | Excellent | Check picket spacing | Excellent |
| Repairable | Board by board | Panel by panel | Section by section | Easily |
A typical residential fence runs three to five weeks from signature, most of which is permits and fabrication, not build time.
We walk the line with you, measure, check grade and discuss materials. 30–45 minutes, no obligation.
A layout drawing and itemized quote — material, posts, gates, hardware, labour and a start window.
We pull county permits, submit HOA paperwork and schedule Miss Utility marking. Usually 2–3 weeks.
Posts set and cured, then panels and gates. Most residential yards are 2–4 days on site.
We walk it with you, adjust every gate, clear the site and hand over care instructions.
Almost always at least one of the two. Most DMV jurisdictions require a permit for fences over 4 ft in a front yard or over 6–7 ft anywhere, and nearly every HOA requires design approval before work starts. We handle both submissions as part of the job — it is the single most common reason a fence project stalls when a homeowner tries to manage it alone.
Generally you may build up to your line, but a few inches inside it is safer — it keeps every post, footing and board on your property and avoids a dispute later. If you are unsure where the line actually is, we can coordinate a survey or stake-out before we quote. Utility and drainage easements may also restrict what can be built and where.
If it is entirely on your property, it is your fence. Convention across the DMV is that the finished side — rails hidden — faces your neighbour, and many HOAs require it. We will confirm the orientation on the drawing before we build so there are no surprises on install day.
There are two ways to follow grade. Stepping holds each panel level and leaves triangular gaps at the bottom — standard for vinyl and pre-built panels. Racking angles the panel to follow the ground with no gap, which aluminum and site-built wood handle well. We will show you which your yard needs and what it does to the look.
Often, yes. We keep common profiles in stock and can mill or fabricate to match an older run, including historic picket and cap profiles around Old Town. Bring a photo and a measurement to the estimate. If a fence is more than about half failed, replacement usually costs less than chasing repairs.
The more you tell us, the more accurate the first number is. Nothing here commits you to anything.
📐Know your footage first: measure your fence on a satellite map →We read every request personally. Expect a call or email within one business day to schedule a site visit at a time that works for you.
Prefer to talk?
(703) 751-3008
For homeowners and residential properties.