Most people think of fences as a spring project. But in the Denver area, we can build fences most of the year. A fall or winter install often means a shorter wait and a finished fence before the spring rush.
Does frozen ground stop fence installation?
Not usually. Along the Front Range, the ground freezes in the top layer for a few days or weeks at a time, then thaws in the sun. A power auger gets through a frozen crust, and the soil underneath is often softer and easier to dig than the hard, dry clay of late summer. The days we skip are the ones with deep snow on the ground or a hard freeze that lasts all week.
What about concrete in cold weather?
Concrete has to set before it freezes, so we watch the forecast. We pour on days when it's above freezing, and on cold days we cover the footings and avoid pouring right before a hard freeze. Posts get the same setting method all year: dirt in the bottom of the hole, the post set a couple of inches into it and packed tight, then concrete around the sides, crowned so water runs off. Never concrete under the post. See why teacupping rots posts.
Reasons to build in fall or winter
- Shorter wait. Spring is the busiest time of year. In the colder months, it's easier to get on the schedule.
- Ready for spring. Your fence is up before the dog wants to be outside all day and before the garden goes in.
- Dormant yard. Grass and plants are dormant, so trampled areas along the fence line recover quickly in spring.
- Wind season. Winter and early spring bring the strongest Front Range wind. If your old fence is already leaning, replacing it before the windiest months can save you a cleanup.
What's different about a winter install
- We plan around storms, so your start date may move a day or two.
- Cedar can be stained once we've had a stretch of warmer, dry days, usually in spring. See cedar fence care.
- HOA boards and city permit offices still work through the winter, but holidays can slow approvals. Start paperwork early. See permits, HOA rules and 811.
- Colorado 811 locates work year-round. Utility marks may be flags instead of paint when there's snow.
Planning ahead
Even if you want to build in spring, getting your estimate and HOA approval done in winter puts you at the front of the line. Use the fence cost calculator for a price range, then ask for a free estimate and Cody will come out to measure.