Quick answers to questions Hollywood owners ask us often. Our longer guides on price, permits, repairs and neighbors are listed under these answers.
How deep should fence posts be set?
Deep enough for the wind, since there is no frost line to get below in South Florida. The right depth depends on the fence. A 6-foot solid panel needs a deeper and wider footing than a 4-foot open picket. We follow the manufacturer's approved installation or the drawing in the permit, and the city may inspect. Where the water table is high, the hole can fill before it is finished, and the concrete mix and method are adjusted for that.
Should posts be set in concrete, gravel or foam?
In concrete. Broward's loose sand does not grip a post packed in gravel, and the wind loads here are high. Concrete footings are the normal method for every post, and they matter most at gates and corners. Expanding foam is quick, but we would not trust a gate or a privacy fence to it in a hurricane zone.
How long should I wait before staining a new wood fence?
Give the wood time to dry out first. Treated pine comes from the yard full of moisture, and Florida humidity slows the drying, so allow anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Test it with a few drops of water. Absorbed means ready. Beading means not yet. Stain in the dry season if you can, or on a morning with no rain forecast.
How much does it cost to stain or seal a fence?
That depends on how many square feet of fence there are and what shape the wood is in. We do not publish a figure. Have it priced as a separate line when you ask for the fence estimate.
Can I use deck screws to fix loose pickets?
You can, but use stainless steel ones east of U.S. 1 and at least exterior-coated ones inland. Uncoated steel rusts within months in this air and bleeds dark streaks down the wood.
Can a faded vinyl fence be painted?
It is possible with a paint formulated for vinyl. Expect to repaint every few years, and avoid dark shades, which absorb heat and can distort the panels under Florida sun. Wash the fence before deciding. Green and gray film is usually mildew, and the chalky layer rinses away.
I want a double gate for an RV or trailer but my posts are weak. Reinforce or rebuild?
Rebuild the opening. Two wide leaves put heavy, constant pull on their hinge posts and catch wind like a sail. They need large posts in deep concrete, a center drop rod and usually a wheel or a brace. Bracing light fence posts will not hold, so we set new gate posts and rebuild the panel on each side.
Why does my metal fence rust so quickly?
Because of salt. Sea air carries it across the barrier island and well west of the Intracoastal. Steel starts to rust wherever its coating is broken: cut ends, welds, scratches and screw heads. Aluminum does not rust, though its steel fasteners can. Choose stainless hardware and hose the fence down with fresh water a few times a year.
Does a new fence raise my property taxes?
The Broward County Property Appraiser decides assessed value. Compared with the house and the land, a fence is a minor item.
The fastest way to get a real number is a free on-site estimate. Call (754) 529-4274 or text us a photo of the fence line.