Services
Fencing
Wood fence repair and full replacement. Staining and painting included. Storm damage documented when it's part of a claim.
Fences fail in Texas for predictable reasons: a 70 mph straight-line wind event knocks over sections built on marginal posts, a slow rot at the ground line finally gives way, or a neighboring tree comes down across the line. The fence does not usually wear out gracefully — it's fine for years and then a single storm takes a hundred feet of it out overnight.
Square Construction builds and repairs wood privacy fences — full yards, single sections, gates, and post replacements. We work primarily in cedar, pressure-treated pine, and a cedar-on-PT-post hybrid that gives you the cedar look on the street side with the longer post life below grade. We set posts in concrete, not dirt, and we don't skip the kicker at the bottom of the post hole that keeps a Texas clay soil from shifting the whole fence line in a wet winter.
When a storm takes out your fence, insurance is usually part of the conversation. Wind damage to fencing is generally a covered peril under a standard Texas HO-3 policy, though carrier-by-carrier practice varies on whether they depreciate aggressively. We document wind damage with photos the same day and present a clean scope — we do not negotiate the claim for you (we're not adjusters), but we make sure the evidence is there to support it.
Why it matters in Texas
Texas wind events are not rare. North Texas averages multiple 60+ mph straight-line wind events per year, and the occasional derecho or supercell can top 80 mph. A fence with marginal posts — undersized, under-depth, or set directly in soil — will come down in the first meaningful event. The cost of building it right the first time is always less than building it twice.
The second reality is ground-line rot. Texas clay soil holds moisture against the bottom six inches of a wood post for weeks after a rain, and that's exactly where a wood post fails. The difference between a fence that lasts 8 years and a fence that lasts 20 is almost entirely what you do below grade — post depth, concrete, and whether you use a PT post under cedar. Homeowners rarely see this spec on a bid, which is exactly why we write it on ours.
What we do
Our Process
Material Options
Western Red Cedar pickets
- Natural rot and insect resistance
- Lighter color that ages to a silver gray
- Premium look
- Dimensionally stable in heat
- —Higher cost per picket
- —Still needs sealing to hold color
Best for: Street-side fences, HOA-aware neighborhoods, owners who want visual appeal.
Pressure-treated pine pickets
- Lower cost per linear foot
- Treated for ground and moisture contact
- Widely available
- —Can warp and twist as it dries
- —Tends toward green tint until stained
Best for: Back-of-property fences, rental properties, budget full-yard replacements.
Cedar pickets on pressure-treated posts (hybrid)
- Best of both worlds — cedar appearance above grade, PT durability below
- Longer post life in Texas clay soil
- Only modestly more expensive than full PT
- —Slightly more labor to coordinate two material streams
Best for: Homeowners staying 10+ years.
Steel posts with wood pickets
- Nearly immune to ground-line rot
- Holds up to high wind better than wood posts
- Longer service life
- —Higher up-front cost
- —Aesthetic mismatch if visible
Best for: High-wind corridors, properties that have lost wood posts more than once.
Warranty
Pressure-treated lumber carries a manufacturer's limited warranty against rot and insect damage — typically 15 to 25 years on the wood itself, with specifics varying by treatment class. Cedar is a natural product and does not carry a manufacturer warranty against weathering or color change. Square provides a one-year workmanship warranty on installation covering post plumb, stringer attachment, and gate operation. Normal wood movement, warping, and color change are not workmanship issues and are not covered.
Pricing
Wood fence replacement in DFW and Austin typically runs in the low-to-mid double digits per linear foot for a standard 6-foot cedar privacy fence, with pricing varying by material choice, post type, terrain, and whether old fence demolition is included. Gates are priced separately because hardware and width vary widely. Storm-damaged sections are priced by the section, not the whole fence, when partial replacement is what the scope calls for. We provide fixed written quotes — no 'per foot starting at' pricing that grows on-site.
Common Questions
Is storm-damaged fencing covered by homeowners' insurance?
Wind damage to fencing is generally a covered peril under a standard Texas HO-3 policy, though depreciation on older fences can reduce the actual payout. We document damage clearly so the scope accurately reflects what was lost.
Can I replace just the sections that went down?
Yes, and it's often the right call on a newer fence. On an older fence where the rest is already leaning, partial replacement can look patchy and the remaining sections will fail soon anyway. We give you an honest read either way.
Do I need to notify my neighbor?
If the fence is on a shared property line, yes — good practice, and some cities require it. We can coordinate the conversation or handle it entirely with the homeowner who hired us. Cost-sharing with a neighbor is your private arrangement, not something we facilitate.
How long does cedar last in Texas without staining?
Unsealed cedar will weather to silver gray within 6-12 months and will last structurally for 15-20 years on the pickets and stringers, though post life depends on the post material. Sealing or staining every 2-4 years keeps the color and extends life.
What about HOA rules?
We build to your HOA's specifications if you provide them. Common rules cover height, picket style (board-on-board, cap-and-trim), and stain color. It's the homeowner's responsibility to confirm compliance, but we flag obvious mismatches before we start.
Is my fence covered under my homeowner's insurance?
Wind and storm-damaged fencing is often covered. We document the damage so you have what you need when you talk to your carrier.
Free Inspection
No cost, no obligation. We assess your property and tell you honestly what you need.
Schedule Now 214.621.7376