Fences · Carlsbad & North County San Diego
Fence repair, gates, and the custom woodwork that finishes a yard
Some of the most satisfying work Levi does is the small stuff done well: a fence that stands straight again, a gate that latches with a satisfying click, a planter box that looks like it came with the house. Fence repair in Carlsbad, custom gates, privacy screens, and the one-off woodwork projects that do not fit a category all land here.
The same design eye and joinery that go into a pergola go into a gate. The difference is scale, not care.
What It Covers
What fence and custom woodwork covers.
Not sure your project fits? Ask. If it is wood, stone, or the yard around them, Levi will tell you straight whether he is the right person for it.
Describe your project- Fence repair: leaning sections, rotted posts, broken rails and pickets
- Replacing fence posts on new footings without rebuilding the whole run
- Custom gates, single and double, with proper hinges and latches that stay aligned
- Privacy screens and slatted panels for spa areas, trash enclosures, and side yards
- Planter boxes, raised beds, and garden structures
- Porch stairs, small railings, and landings
- Benches, shelving, and built-ins for outdoor living areas
- Mending, matching, and blending new wood into existing fences
How Levi Works
Small projects get the same thinking as big ones.
A gate that sags in a year and a fence that leans again after the first storm were both built without working out the details. Levi works them out.
Figure out why it failed
A leaning fence is usually a post problem, not a fence problem. Levi checks the posts, the footings, and the drainage before recommending a fix, so you do not pay to replace boards that were fine.
Design for the hardware
A gate is only as good as its hinges, latch, and the post it hangs on. Levi sizes the gate post and bracing to the weight of the gate and picks hardware that will not rust or loosen, so it still swings true years later.
Match what stays
New pickets, rails, or panels are chosen and finished to blend with the existing fence, or the whole run is refinished so the repair disappears. Profiles and spacing are matched exactly.
Build it clean
Posts set on proper footings with the wood kept out of standing water, screws instead of nails where boards may need to come off, eased edges, and a tidy site when the work is done.
Materials
Fence and woodwork materials for the coast.
Fences and gates take weather from both sides. These choices keep them straight and sound longer.
Western red cedar and redwood
Naturally rot-resistant and stable, the standard for pickets, rails, gates, and screens in North County. They take stain well or weather to a soft gray if left natural.
Pressure-treated posts
For any post that goes into the ground or sits near it. Set on gravel in concrete with the top of the footing sloped so water runs away from the wood.
Steel post anchors and bases
Where a post can sit on a footing or slab instead of in it, a galvanized base keeps the end grain dry and makes future replacement simple.
Heavy-duty gate hardware
Stainless or powder-coated hinges and latches sized to the gate, with a diagonal brace or steel frame on wide gates so they do not sag.
Stainless and coated fasteners
Fence screws and nails that will not bleed rust into cedar. The black streaks on so many fences are from the wrong fasteners.
Exterior stain or oil
A semi-transparent stain protects against sun and keeps color; oil keeps the natural look and is easy to refresh. Painted fences need good primer and more upkeep near the ocean.
When To Call
Signs your fence or gate needs attention.
Most fence problems are cheap to fix early and expensive to fix late.
- A section leaning after wind or rain, or a fence line that is no longer straight
- Posts that move when pushed, or that are soft and dark at the ground line
- A gate that drags, will not latch, or has to be lifted to close
- Pickets or rails that are split, loose, or missing, with fasteners rusting through
- Rot along the bottom rail where plants, soil, or sprinklers keep it wet
- A fence that still stands but looks tired next to a freshly refinished deck or pergola
Real Work
Fence, gate, and custom woodwork projects.
Every photograph on this site is Levi's own work for North County homeowners.
Questions
What homeowners ask about fences and woodwork.
Did not find your question? Levi answers these in person all the time. Browse the Answer Hub or send it over.
Can you fix just the leaning section of my fence?
Usually, yes. A leaning section almost always comes down to one or two failed posts. Levi replaces those posts on new footings, reattaches the sound panels, and replaces only the boards that are actually broken. A whole new fence is rarely the right answer for one bad post.
Why does my gate sag and can it be fixed for good?
Gates sag when the gate post is too small or not braced, when hinges are undersized, or when the gate itself has no diagonal bracing. Levi fixes the cause: a stronger post, proper hinges, and a braced or steel-framed gate. Done that way, it stays aligned.
What is the best wood for a fence near the coast?
Cedar and redwood for the parts you see, pressure-treated for the posts in the ground, and stainless or coated fasteners throughout. That combination handles salt air and sun far better than the standard fence-store package.
Can you match my existing fence so the repair does not stand out?
That is the goal. Levi matches picket size, spacing, rail placement, and cap details, then either stains the new wood to blend or refinishes the whole run so it looks uniform. New cedar next to weathered cedar always shows at first, and a stain match closes the gap.
Do you build custom things that are not fences?
Yes. Privacy screens, planter boxes, raised beds, porch stairs and railings, benches, and other outdoor woodwork are a regular part of the work. If you have an idea and a photo, Levi can tell you quickly whether it is something he should build.
Who is responsible for a fence shared with a neighbor?
In California, a fence on the property line is generally treated as shared, and good neighbors usually split the cost of repairs. Levi is happy to meet both homeowners, explain what is wrong, and give a clear scope so the conversation is simple.
Answer Hub
Homeowner answers about fences.
Longer answers to the questions Levi hears on site visits, written in plain language so you can plan with confidence.
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Are my sprinklers causing my fence and deck to rot?
Very likely, if the spray reaches the wood. A sprinkler head that hits a fence, deck post, or siding wets it every…
Read the answer -
What should I do about the fascia and the open space under my deck?
Fascia is the trim board that covers the outer rim joist and the cut ends of the decking; skirting is whatever closes…
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My fence post rotted off at the ground. Do I have to replace the whole post?
Not always. If the post is sound above the rot and the fence panels are in good shape, a steel post repair bracket or a…
Read the answer -
My wood fence has gone gray. Can it be refinished, or does it need replacing?
A gray fence can usually be refinished if the posts are solid. Gray is just weathered surface; posts rotted at the…
Read the answer
Start a Conversation
Tell Levi about your fences project.
Send a few details, or a photo of the space, and Levi will reply the same day. A straight conversation about what you want and how to build it well.
Other services
A fence to fix or a gate to build? Let's take a look.
Send Levi a photo and a rough measurement and he will tell you what he recommends.