Fence & Gate Installation

Fences built by the owner, not a crew

When you call a fence company, a salesperson takes measurements and schedules a crew you’ve never met. Ryan does it differently. He answers the phone, measures your property, picks up every board and post, digs the holes, sets the posts, and hangs every panel.

One person. Start to finish. No handoffs. Your fence gets his full attention every day — not split between three job sites.

Fence types we install

Wood privacy fences

The most popular choice in Altadena. Ryan builds wood privacy fences in cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated pine — board-on-board, dog-ear, flat-top, and custom designs. Every post is set in concrete, every board hand-selected for straightness and quality.

Cedar and redwood naturally resist rot and insects, making them ideal for Altadena’s climate. With proper sealing every 2-3 years, a well-built wood fence lasts 15-20 years.

Wrought iron and ornamental metal

For a more open, elegant look — especially common in San Marino, Pasadena, and La Canada Flintridge. Ryan installs wrought iron and ornamental steel in traditional and contemporary styles. These fences provide security and curb appeal without blocking sightlines.

Wrought iron is incredibly durable — it lasts decades with periodic rust treatment and paint. Ryan welds custom sections on-site when standard panels don’t fit the layout.

Vinyl and PVC fences

Low maintenance and long-lasting. Vinyl fences don’t need painting, staining, or sealing. They resist rot, insects, and sun damage. The material costs more upfront but saves in long-term maintenance.

Chain link fences

Practical, affordable, and effective. Ryan installs residential chain link in galvanized and vinyl-coated finishes. Common for side yards, dog runs, and utility areas where function matters most.

Custom gates

A fence is only as good as its gate. Ryan builds custom gates that swing true, latch solidly, and don’t sag after six months:

• Swing gates — single and double, in any material
• Sliding gates — for driveways and wide openings
• Automated gates — with motor, remote, and keypad options
• Pedestrian gates — with self-closing hinges and locking hardware

Every gate is built with heavy-duty hinges and reinforced framing. Ryan uses steel frames inside wood gates to prevent the sagging that ruins most wood gates within a few years.

Why fences fail (and how Ryan prevents it)

Shallow post holes

The biggest shortcut in the fence business. Ryan digs every post hole to proper depth — typically one-third of the total post length — and sets each post in concrete. On hillside properties, proper depth is even more critical for soil stability.

Wrong post spacing

Posts spaced too far apart create a fence that flexes and sags. Ryan spaces posts at 6-8 feet depending on material and height — closer on tall fences and in areas exposed to Santa Ana winds.

Cheap hardware

Ryan uses stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners that won’t rust and streak your fence. Gate hardware is commercial-grade because residential-grade hinges wear out in a year.

No sealing

A new wood fence that doesn’t get sealed starts absorbing moisture immediately. Ryan offers staining and sealing as part of the installation, or he’ll advise on timing if you prefer to handle it yourself.

Fencing on Altadena’s hillside properties

Flat-lot fencing is straightforward. Hillside fencing is where experience matters. Ryan handles these installations regularly:

• Stepped fencing that follows the slope in uniform sections
• Racked fencing where panels angle with the grade for a continuous top line
• Retaining wall and fence combinations where grade changes are severe
• Hillside access solutions — getting materials to the work area when there’s no flat staging ground

If your property has a slope, Ryan has built on one like it.

From old fence to new

Every replacement starts with a full teardown. Ryan pulls old posts, digs out concrete footings, and hauls everything away. The fence line is prepped clean before a single new post goes in. He doesn’t build over old foundations or leave rotting posts in the ground.

And if your existing posts are solid and in the right spots, he’ll tell you that too. He’s not going to replace what doesn’t need replacing.