Fence Installation in Seattle
Wood privacy fences, gates and fence replacement, planned around the height limits for your lot.
- We check the zoning height for each side of your yard before we draw the fence.
- Gates, and a concrete path to the gate if you need one, priced with the fence.
- You sign off on an itemized, written price before the first post hole.
By appointment. Limited start dates.
- Over 200 projects
- 4.9 on Google
- 20+ years building
- WA license VOLCABI792C6
Why homeowners call us about a fence
Fence calls tend to start in one of three places.
A fence that leans or has gaps
Boards split, rails sag and a run starts to lean toward the neighbor. When the posts have given out, new boards on old posts do not last, and a new fence along the same line is often the better spend.
A yard that needs privacy
A new patio, a busy street or a neighbor's window. A full height board fence closes the yard in, but in Seattle the height you may build depends on where the fence stands on the lot, so the plan starts with the lot lines and setbacks.
A gate that no longer works
A gate that drags, will not latch or leads onto mud gets used less every year. On our Redmond job the new gate came with a concrete path poured right up to it, so the side yard now works as a walkway.
What we build: fences, gates and the ground they stand on
Most of the fences in our portfolio are wood privacy fences with matching gates. One crew handles the posts, the boards, the gate and any concrete or grading the fence line needs.
Wood privacy fences
Full height board fences like our Auburn job: dark posts with caps, boards between them, a cap board along the top and a trim board at the base. The Auburn fence runs along a paver patio and past a garden shed.
Gates
Walk gates built to match the fence, with a diagonal brace so the gate stays square. In Redmond, the gate closes a side yard between a hedge and the house.
Fence remodels and replacement
An old fence taken down and a new one built on the line you agree with your neighbor. If nobody is sure where the property line runs, a survey settles it before any post goes in.
Slopes and retaining walls
On a sloping Seattle lot a fence can reach 8 feet at the low end if it averages 6 feet between posts. Set on a retaining wall that raises the grade, the wall and fence together may not exceed 9 feet 6 inches.
Paths and concrete at the gate
A gate is only as good as the ground in front of it. We can pour the walk or pad with the fence, as on the Redmond job, where a new concrete path now leads up to the gate.
Plans, permits and utility locates
Most Seattle fences need no building permit. A fence over 8 feet, one with masonry above 6 feet or one in a flood prone area does, and we draw and file it. Washington law also requires a utility locate request through 811 before any post hole is dug.
Fences and gates we have built
Photos from two real jobs in our portfolio: a privacy fence in Auburn and a gate, fence and concrete path in Redmond. Each card opens its project page.
What homeowners say about working with us
We were nervous about hiring a contractor because we were first-time homeowners, but Volcano Builders made it easy to understand. They made everything clear and helped us stick to our budget. I'm very happy with how everything turned out.
Overall, we had a great time with Volcano Builders. There were a few small delays, but they were clear in their communication and kept things moving. The last kitchen remodel turned out great, and the quality seems like it will last for a long time.
Bar and the team at Volcano Builders did a great job! Professional service, great communication throughout the whole process, and everything was done with care and attention to detail. Highly recommend!
I had a great time with Volcano Builders.The team was professional and on time, and the kitchen turned out just how we wanted it.
Volcano did a master bath remodel for us. The project was completed efficiently and on time. All of their workman were courteous and hard working. When we had a couple of material delivery delays they kindly adjusted their schedules. Their pricing was fine and the terms of the contract were fulfilled. We highly recommend Volcano Building.
Bar's team completely transformed my outdated Seattle bathroom with their exceptional work. Their communication was excellent, keeping me informed every step of the way. The quality of their workmanship exceeded my expectations, turning my old bathroom into what I wanted. I highly recommend Bar and his team for any remodeling project; they're professional, efficient, and produce outstanding results.
How your fence project runs
Three steps, one team, and a written price before anyone picks up a tool.
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Site visit
We walk the fence line with you, measure it, note the slope, the gates you need and any old fence or retaining wall in the way, and talk about how much privacy you want.
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Plan, price and permit
We set the height for each run against your zoning limits, price the job in writing line by line and file a permit when the height or site calls for one.
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Build and walkthrough
One project manager runs the locate request, the posts, the boards and the gates, then walks the finished fence with you. Our Auburn fence took 1 week; the Redmond gate, fence and path took 3 days.
What sets the price of a fence in Seattle
Four things drive most of a fence quote. Your written estimate prices each on its own line.
Length and height
Price follows the number of posts and boards, so a longer or taller run costs more. Height is capped by zoning: 6 feet in most side and rear yards in Seattle, 4 feet in a front or street side setback.
Material and style
Wood boards differ by species, grade and finish, and a cap board, trim or stain adds labor. Other materials such as metal or vinyl carry their own price and upkeep, which we compare with you at the visit.
Gates and hardware
Each gate adds framing, bracing, hinges and a latch. A wide or double drive gate needs heavier posts than a walk gate.
The site
Tearing out an old fence, a sloped yard, roots, a retaining wall, or a path or pad at the gate all add work. A fence near an environmentally critical area, such as a steep slope, follows different Seattle rules.
If you are weighing repair against a new fence, ask us to check the posts at the first visit. Their condition usually decides it.
Choosing the Right Fence: Types, Costs, and Longevity
Financing is available: Home Renovation Financing in Seattle.
Homeowners on camera
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Mr. Will
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Rebecca
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Linda, Part 1
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Sarah & Robert
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Yoshio Inoue
Fence installation across Greater Seattle
Our main office is in Bellevue, and we build fences and gates across King County, from Seattle and Eastside cities such as Redmond south to Auburn.
Fence rules come from the city the house is in. In Seattle, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections sets the permit and zoning limits, and a fence near a wetland or steep slope follows the environmentally critical areas code. In Bellevue, permits and zoning questions go to Development Services. We check the rules for your address before we draw the fence.
Planning more than a fence? See our remodeling pages for Seattle and Bellevue, or all 132+ cities we serve.
Fence questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Seattle?
Usually not. A fence with a total height of 8 feet or less and no masonry or concrete above 6 feet needs no building permit, unless it stands in a flood prone area. A taller fence needs a construction permit, most often a subject to field inspection permit with a site plan and drawings. Zoning height limits still apply without a permit. The rules are on the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections fence page.
How tall can my fence be in Seattle?
In neighborhood residential and multifamily zones, 6 feet, plus up to 2 feet of architectural features such as an arbor or trellis. In a front or street side setback the limit is 4 feet. On a sloping lot the fence can reach 8 feet if it averages 6 feet between posts.
Can a fence go on top of a retaining wall?
Yes, with a lower limit. When the wall raises the grade of your yard, the wall and fence together may not exceed 9 feet 6 inches. When the wall lowers your grade, the normal fence limits apply. A retaining wall over 4 feet, or one on a steep slope, needs its own permit.
Do you call 811 before digging post holes?
Yes, because the law requires it. Washington law requires anyone digging, other than a homeowner digging less than 12 inches deep on their own land, to mark the area and give notice through the 811 one number locator service before work starts. Post holes are deeper than that, so every fence needs a locate request first.
How long does fence installation take?
On site, our Auburn fence remodel took 1 week, and the Redmond concrete and fence job, a gate, fence panel and concrete path, took 3 days. Length, gates and any permit change the schedule, and your written estimate comes with one.
Which fence material should I choose?
Every fence in our portfolio is wood, which gives full privacy and can be stained to match the house. Metal and vinyl trade a different look for different upkeep. Choosing the Right Fence: Types, Costs, and Longevity compares them.
How do I get a price for my fence?
Book a consultation. We walk the line, measure and check the site, then send a written, itemized price before any work starts. For background, read the Seattle and Bellevue Remodeling Cost Guide, or look through the fence remodeling portfolio.
Book your fence consultation
Four quick steps. Tell us about your project and we’ll reach out to discuss it and see if we’re the right fit.