Fence & Deck Questions from London, St. Thomas & Elgin County
Answers to the fence and deck questions we hear most from homeowners and businesses across our service area. Have a question that isn't here? Ask us directly or call (226) 582-3881.
Fence & Deck Blog
Your Fence & Deck Questions, Answered
Straight answers on cost, permits, repairs and materials — written for homeowners and businesses across London, St. Thomas & Elgin County.
How much does a wood privacy fence cost in London, Ontario?
Most wood privacy fences in London and St. Thomas run based on linear footage and post size — as a starting point, 4x4 posts run $70/linear ft and 6x6 posts run $75/linear ft, including post holes, materials and installation (pressure-treated wood). Runs over 200 ft get an automatic 10% discount. Gates are quoted separately. Use our instant estimate tool on the homepage for a real number in seconds.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in London or St. Thomas?
Most municipalities in Elgin and Middlesex County have fence height and setback bylaws, and some require a permit depending on height and location (especially pool fences or fences near a corner lot's sightline). We confirm what applies to your specific property as part of every quote.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Ontario?
Often, yes — most decks attached to a house, or more than about 24 inches off the ground, require a building permit in London, St. Thomas and surrounding townships. We design to Ontario Building Code span tables and help you understand what your municipality requires before we start.
How deep should fence posts be buried in Ontario?
Post depth needs to get below the local frost line to avoid frost heave in winter — in Southwestern Ontario that generally means posts set well below grade in concrete. We dig 4 ft deep on our standard fence installs, which is deep enough to keep posts stable through freeze-thaw cycles.
What's the difference between 4x4 and 6x6 fence posts?
6x6 posts are thicker and more rigid, giving extra strength for taller fences, longer unsupported runs, or heavier gates. 4x4 posts are the standard choice for most residential privacy fences and hold up fine for typical yard heights and spans.
Who is responsible for a boundary fence between two properties in Ontario?
In most cases, a fence built directly on the property line is considered jointly owned by both neighbours, and cost is often split, though this isn't a legal requirement in every municipality — it's worth discussing with your neighbour before building. A fence built entirely on your own side of the line is yours alone.
How close to the property line can I build a fence?
This varies by municipality — some allow fences right up to the line, others require a small setback, especially for taller privacy fences or fences near a road allowance. We check your local bylaw as part of every quote so there are no surprises later.
What's the best time of year to build a fence or deck in Ontario?
Spring through fall is prime season, once the ground has fully thawed enough to dig post holes properly. Some homeowners get ahead of the rush by booking in early spring before the busy summer season fills up.
How long does it take to build a typical backyard fence?
A standard residential wood privacy fence usually takes one to a few days depending on total footage, gate count, and site access. Larger commercial runs take longer — we give a project timeline as part of every quote.
Cedar or pressure-treated pine — which is better for a fence?
Cedar naturally resists rot and insects and weathers to an attractive silver-grey on its own, but costs more. Pressure-treated pine costs less and takes stain well, making it the more common choice for larger residential runs. Our calculator pricing is based on pressure-treated wood.
How often should I stain my deck in Ontario's climate?
Most decks in our climate benefit from re-staining every 2 to 4 years, depending on sun exposure and the product originally used. If water stops beading on the surface and the wood looks grey or dry, it's time.
Can a damaged fence be repaired instead of fully replaced?
Often, yes. A leaning post, a storm-damaged section, or a sagging gate is usually a localized repair rather than a reason to rebuild the whole fence — unless the damage is widespread across multiple sections. We give an honest read on which makes sense during the quote.
What causes a fence post to lean or heave over time?
The most common cause in our region is frost heave — when posts aren't set deep enough below the frost line, winter freeze-thaw cycles can gradually push them out of the ground. Rot at the base from prolonged ground moisture is the other common culprit.
Do you call for utility locates before digging fence post holes?
Yes, on every single job before any post hole is drilled — no exceptions. This protects buried gas, electrical, and utility lines and is standard practice we never skip.
What's the difference between a chain link fence and a wood privacy fence?
Chain link is lower-cost, low-maintenance, and doesn't block sightlines — common for backyards with pets or larger commercial perimeters. Wood privacy fencing blocks sightlines completely and offers a more finished residential look, at a higher material and labour cost.
Is vinyl fencing worth the extra cost over wood?
Vinyl costs more upfront but needs essentially no maintenance — no staining, no rot risk — and holds its colour for years. Wood costs less initially but needs periodic staining and eventual board replacement. It comes down to whether you'd rather pay more now or maintain it over time.
How much does a custom deck cost in London or St. Thomas?
Cost depends heavily on size, height, decking material (wood vs. composite), and railing style. Multi-level decks and composite materials cost more than a simple ground-level wood deck. We give a free, detailed quote after seeing your yard.
What's the difference between wood and composite decking?
Wood decking costs less upfront and can be stained any tone, but needs re-staining every few years. Composite decking costs more initially but requires very little ongoing maintenance over its lifespan.
Can you build a fence around an existing pool in Ontario?
Yes, and pool fencing typically has stricter height and self-latching gate requirements under Ontario's pool enclosure bylaws, which vary slightly by municipality. We build to those requirements as standard on any pool fencing job.
How do I know if my deck needs repair or just a fresh coat of stain?
If boards flex, feel soft, or railings feel loose, that's a structural issue and needs repair first. If the wood is simply faded or grey but still solid underfoot, staining alone is often enough — we assess this on-site before recommending either.
What areas do you serve for fence and deck installation?
We serve London, St. Thomas, Aylmer, Belmont, Port Stanley, Dorchester, Komoka, Tillsonburg, and the surrounding parts of Elgin and Middlesex County, Ontario.
Can a fence be built on a sloped yard?
Yes — sloped yards are common across the region and are typically handled either by stepping the fence panels down the grade or racking the fence to follow the slope continuously. We assess the grade on-site to recommend the right approach.
How much does fence repair typically cost?
It depends on the extent of the damage — a single post replacement is a small job, while a storm-damaged section spanning several panels costs more. We give free, itemized repair quotes on-site rather than a flat rate, since every repair job is different.
Do gates cost extra on top of fence pricing?
Yes — our linear-footage fence pricing covers the fence runs themselves; gate materials, hardware and labour are quoted separately based on gate size and style, since gates vary a lot in complexity.
What should I look for when hiring a fence or deck contractor?
Confirm they're fully insured and can provide a certificate of insurance, ask about how deep posts are set and whether locates are called before digging, and get a detailed written quote rather than a vague verbal estimate. Local reviews and completed local jobs are also worth asking about.
Can you match new fence boards to an existing older fence?
We do our best to match wood species and board style when splicing repairs into an existing fence. Brand-new wood won't match weathered wood in colour right away, but it will grey in naturally over time to blend closer with the rest of the fence.
Do you offer commercial fencing for businesses and property managers?
Yes — we handle larger-scale wood, vinyl and chain link runs, custom and decorative gates, and property management contracts, using powered auger equipment to set posts efficiently on bigger properties without sacrificing quality.
How wide should a fence gate be for a riding lawn mower or ATV?
Most standard walk gates run 3 to 4 ft wide, but for equipment access we typically recommend a double-drive gate in the 8 to 12 ft range depending on what needs to pass through — let us know what you need to fit through when requesting a quote.
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