Fence Installation and Replacement FAQs | DWS Fencing



questions About DWS Fencing



Q: How long have you been providing fence installations for Houston and surrounding areas?


     A: 12 years: DWS Fencing has been proudly serving Northwest Houston and the surrounding communities since 2014.


          As a family-owned and operated business, we have spent over a decade building high-quality, long-lasting residential                            perimeters, ranch fencing, and custom decks across the region. 
          Over the years, we have expanded our service footprint to provide top-rated craftsmanship to homeowners in Magnolia,                        Tomball, Cypress, The Woodlands, Conroe, Katy, Plantersville, and many other surrounding areas. When you work with us, you            are partnering with an experienced team that understands local HOA requirements, Texas weather challenges, and the specific              needs of local properties. 



Q: What Area Does DWS Fencing serve?

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​     A: DWS Fencing proudly serves residential clients across Northwest Houston and surrounding regions. Our primary fence      installation and fence replacement service areas include:

 

  • Northwest Houston (including Jersey Village and surrounding neighborhoods)
  • The Woodlands (including Conroe, Montgomery, and Willis)
  • Cypress & Tomball (including Rosehill and surrounding areas)
  • Katy (including North Katy and Cinco Ranch areas)
  • Magnolia & Waller​ (including Plantersville and rural acreage properties)


Q: Does DWS Fencing provide free onsite fence installation and replacement estimates?


     A: Yes. We provide free onsite estimates, we will schedule to come meet with you to measure your fence and go over all of your           project details. We also provide free online estimates. If you have a property survey and already know your details like fence style,       how many feet, if you will need fence removal, and the number of gates you need we can provide a quick online quote for you.


Q: What types of residential fencing does DWS Fencing install?


A: We specialize in building a wide variety of durable, high-quality residential fences tailored to your home’s security, privacy, and style needs. Our primary residential fencing options include:

  • Wood Privacy Fences: Built using premium materials like Western Red Cedar and treated pine. We offer traditional vertical pickets, modern horizontal designs, and robust board-on-board styles for maximum privacy.
  • Farm & Ranch Rail Fencing: Perfect for larger acreages and rural properties. We install classic 3-rail, 4-rail, split-rail, and cross-buck wood fences, often reinforced with wire mesh to keep pets and livestock secure.
  • Chain-Link Fencing: A highly affordable, low-maintenance option available in traditional galvanized steel or sleek, black vinyl-coated finishes.
  • Custom Gates & Access Control: We design and install matching walk gates, double-drive gates, and automated motorized entry gates to complete your perimeter.


All of our residential fences are built to withstand the harsh Texas climate and come backed by our commitment to expert craftsmanship. Contact DWS fencing today for your free, no-obligation estimate!



questions about Privacy Fence




Q: How much does it cost to build a pressure treated pine privacy fence?


A: On average, it costs between $23 and $38 per linear foot to have a pine privacy picket fence professionally installed.


For a standard residential yard requiring about 200 linear feet of fencing, the total investment generally ranges from $4,600 to $7,600, depending on your yard’s specific layout.
Pressure-treated pine remains one of our most popular and cost-effective wood choices because it offers excellent structural durability at a budget-friendly upfront price.


Your overall project cost will depend on several key factors:


  • Premium Upgrades: Choosing decorative or protective additions like a rot board, board-on-board styling, or a top cap and trim.
  • Old Fence Removal: Whether you need our crew to tear down and haul away and dispose of an existing fence.
  • Gates: The total number of walk gates or drive gates required. There is a seperate charge for the labor to build and install gates.
  • Site Preparation: Whether the fence line is clear or requires clearing of small trees, brush, and heavy vegetation.


​Because raw lumber market prices fluctuate and no two properties are completely identical, the most accurate way to budget your project is with an on-site evaluation. Contact DWS Fencing today to schedule your free, no-obligation estimate!




Q: How much does it cost to build a western red cedar pickets fence?


A: On average, a professionally installed Western Red Cedar privacy or picket fence costs between $30 and $48 per linear foot. For a standard residential backyard requiring about 200 linear feet of fencing, the total investment generally ranges from $6,000 to $9,600, depending on your chosen style and layout.
While Western Red Cedar requires a slightly higher upfront investment than pressure-treated pine, it is highly sought after because its natural oils inherently resist warping, rotting, and insect damage—making it uniquely suited to survive the high humidity and intense heat of the Texas climate.

Key Factors That Influence Your Final Cedar Quote:

  • Fence Style and upgrades: Standard side-by-side or dog-ear privacy pickets fall on the lower end of the price spectrum. Adding rot board, premium styles like board-on-board, horizontal fence or adding a top cap adnd trim option will raise the overall cost per linear foot.
  • Old Fence Removal: Whether you need our crew to tear down, haul away and dispose of an existing fence.
  • Site Preparation: If our crews need clear out small trees, brush, or heavy roots before digging, this will add labor costs to the final estimate.
  • Gates: The total number of custom walk gates or drive gates required. There is a seperate charge for the labor to build and install gates. 


​Because raw lumber market prices fluctuate and no two properties are completely identical, the most accurate way to budget your project is with an on-site evaluation. Contact DWS Fencing today to schedule your free, no-obligation estimate!



​Q: Why DWS Fencing only uses western red cedar fence pickets on our cedar privacy fences?


A: At DWS Fencing, we refuse to cut corners on the quality of your home's perimeter fence.

While many local contractors quote generic "cedar" to lower their prices, they are almost always using cheaper, less durable Chinese Cedar (which is actually a soft cypress species).
We exclusively build with true Western Red Cedar because it is structurally superior and uniquely engineered by nature to withstand the punishing Texas climate.


Here is exactly why true Western Red Cedar is the only cedar option we trust for your backyard:

  • Superior Stability (No Warping or Twisting): The combination of intense Texas heat and sudden heavy downpours causes lesser woods to expand and contract rapidly. Western Red Cedar features an incredibly straight, uniform grain that resists warping, cupping, twisting, and shrinking as it dries. Your fence lines stay straight and seamless for years.
  • Natural Rot & Insect Barriers: Western Red Cedar is packed with its own natural oils and tannins. These organic compounds act as a built-in preservative that repels termites, wood-boring bugs, moss, and fungal decay without requiring chemical treatments.
  • Exceptional Lifespan: A generic cedar fence often begins to split, warp, and fail within 7 to 12 years under our local weather conditions. A properly installed Western Red Cedar privacy fence can easily last 15 to 25+ years, giving you a significantly higher return on your investment.
  • Unmatched Curb Appeal: Western Red Cedar is famous for its rich, warm reddish-brown hues and beautiful texturing. It holds stains and sealers incredibly well, allowing you to maintain that premium, luxury look far longer than generic, pale alternatives.


When you invest in a cedar fence, you deserve wood that is built to last. By using only premium Western Red Cedar, we ensure your fence provides maximum privacy, security, and beauty for decades—not just a few seasons.



Questions about corral and crossbuck fence


Q: How much does it cost to build a corral fence?


​A: On average, a professionally installed wood corral or ranch rail fence costs between $14 and $32 per linear foot, depending primarily on how many horizontal rails your design requires.

For a property requiring 500 linear feet of fencing, the total investment generally ranges from $7,000 to $16,000, depending on your specific layout and structural options.
At DWS Fencing, we build our ranch perimeters using thick, rough pressure-treated pine. This material is the industry standard for rural properties because its heavy-duty, unplaned finish provides maximum structural strength and easily withstands heavy outdoor weathering at a practical price point.

Key Factors That Influence Your Final Corral Fence Quote:

  1. Number of Rails: The number of horizontal rails you choose dictates the density of the barrier and directly impacts material and labor costs.
  • ​1-Rail or 2-Rail Corral Fences: Sitting on the lower end of the cost spectrum ($12 to $18+ per foot), these minimalist layouts are ideal for marking clean boundary lines, accenting driveways, or framing large estate fronts where high-density containment isn't needed.
  • 3-Rail, 4-Rail or 5-Rail Corral Fences: Moving into the higher end of the range ($18 to $32 per foot), these denser setups provide the physical barrier necessary for containing horses, livestock, or larger animals.
  • Wire Mesh Upgrades & Wire Gauge: If you choose a 1-rail or 2-rail design but still need to contain smaller pets or keep predators out, adding wire mesh is essential. The price depends heavily on the thickness (gauge) of the wire. 
  • 12.5-Gauge Wire: A heavy-duty, commercial-grade wire built to handle larger animals and resist sagging over long distances (higher cost, maximum durability).
  • 14-Gauge Wire: (most common for residential yards) A slightly thinner, standard utility wire that is perfect for residential pet containment and basic perimeter security. 
  • Fence Removal: If our crews need to tear down and haul away and dispose an old fence and if the old fence is overgrown with brush and trees.
  • Clearing the Fence Line: Installing a straight ranch fence requires a clear path. Costs will adjust if the line requires brush clearing, tree trimming, or removing heavy vegetation before we can dig.
  • Terrain & Elevation Slopes: Flat land is the fastest to fence. If your property features rolling hills, sharp slopes, or steep ravines, our crew will need to step or rack the rails to follow the contour of the land, which requires extra labor.


Because acreage properties vary wildly in soil conditions, terrain, and clearing needs, the most accurate way to budget your boundary line is with an on-site evaluation. Contact DWS Fencing today to schedule your free, no-obligation ranch fence estimate!


Q: How much does it cost to build a crossbuck corral fence?


A: On average, a professionally installed wood crossbuck corral fence costs between $20 and $38 per linear foot.

For a premium estate layout or acreage perimeter requiring 500 linear feet of fencing, the total investment generally ranges from $10,000 to $19,000, depending on your specific layout and options.
A crossbuck fence (also known as an X-brace or decorative ranch fence) uses a specialized layout where two diagonal boards cross between the top and bottom rails, creating a highly stable, distinctive "X" pattern in every section.

At DWS Fencing, we build these using heavy-duty, rough pressure-treated pine to give you that iconic, high-end country estate look while ensuring maximum structural integrity.

Key Factors That Influence Your Final Crossbuck Fence Quote:

  • High Material & Labor Density: Crossbuck fences cost more per linear foot than standard 4-rail or 5-rail corral fences. This is because they require significantly more boards per section and precise, angled craftsman cuts to fit the "X" perfectly between the posts.
  • Wire Mesh Upgrades (Gauge Options): If you are using a crossbuck fence to protect an entire property but need to keep smaller dogs in or wildlife out, we can back the boards with heavy-duty wire mesh. 
  • 12.5-Gauge Wire: A heavy-duty, commercial-grade wire that withstands impact from livestock and resists sagging (maximum durability). 
  • 14-Gauge Wire: (most common for residential yards) A standard, slightly thinner utility wire that is highly cost-effective for residential pet containment.
  • Fence Removal: If our crews need to tear down and haul away and dispose an old fence and if the old fence is overgrown with brush and trees.
  • Clearing the Fence Line: Crossbuck fences look best on a perfectly straight line. If your property line is overgrown, the final cost will adjust based on how much tree trimming, brush hogging, or heavy vegetation removal our crew needs to handle before digging post holes.
  • Slopes & Rolling Terrain: Installing an X-brace fence on sharp hills or ravines requires our crew to step or custom-rack the sections so the "X" patterns look uniform and aesthetically pleasing, which requires additional installation labor.


Because a crossbuck fence is a premium architectural addition to your property, the best way to get an accurate, fixed price is with an on-site look at your acreage. Contact DWS Fencing today to schedule your free, no-obligation crossbuck fence estimate!



Questions about TX 811


Q: What is TX 811?


​A:Texas 811 is a free, statewide utility safety service that locates and marks underground utility lines before any digging takes place. In the state of Texas, calling 811 or submitting a request online is not just a safety recommendation—it is a strict legal requirement for anyone planning to dig, including installing a new fence.
When you contract your project with DWS Fencing, our crew handles the entire Texas 811 process for you, ensuring your property remains safe and compliant.



Q: Why the 811 Process is Critical for Fence Builders to contact Texas 811?


  • Preventing Dangerous Strikes: Underground lines carry high-voltage electricity, natural gas, high-pressure water, fiber-optic internet, and sewer lines. Striking one of these with a post-hole digger can cause catastrophic injury or localized utility outages.
  • Avoiding Massive Fines: If a homeowner or contractor digs without a ticket and damages an underground utility line, they are legally liable for the incredibly expensive repair bills, structural damages, and state fines.
  • The "Call Before You Dig" Rule: Texas law requires a ticket to be submitted at least 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) before any digging begins.​



Q: How will it work on my property?


Once the Texas 811 ticket is submitted, utility companies dispatch technicians to your property to mark the approximate location of buried lines using color-coded spray paint or small flags:


As the homeowner you must ensure the Texas 811 technician has access to your property and area the fence will be installed.

🔴 Red: Electric power lines and lighting cables.
🟡 Yellow: Gas, oil, petroleum, or gaseous materials.
🟠 Orange: Communication, internet, TV, and fiber-optic lines.
🔵 Blue: Potable (drinking) water.
🟢 Green: Sewers and drain lines.


Note: Texas 811 technicians only mark public utility lines.
They do not locate private lines, such as buried lines to a detached garage, pool pumps, backyard sprinkler systems, or private propane lines. If you have private lines in your yard or on your acreage, please let our team know prior to installation.
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