A small, simple fence on level ground is often two or three days of work on site. The whole process, from quote to finished fence, can run one to three weeks once you add approvals, material orders, the required 811 utility marking and letting post concrete set for at least 24 to 48 hours before panels go on.
Updated October 2026
What happens, step by step?
- Estimate and quote. We visit, measure and send a written price.
- Rules and approvals. We check height and placement for your city. In Long Beach, the Planning Bureau reviews every fence, and fences over 6 feet 6 inches need plans. See the permit guide.
- Neighbor notice, if shared. California asks for 30 days' written notice before you spend money on a shared boundary fence. See who pays for a fence between neighbors.
- Utility marking. California requires a call to 811 at least two working days, and no more than 14 days, before digging.
- Old fence out, posts in. Holes are dug and posts are set in concrete.
- Concrete sets. Standard mix needs at least 24 hours, ideally 48, before panels go on. Quick-set mix can be ready in about four hours.
- Panels, gates and cleanup. Rails, boards or panels go up, gates are hung and adjusted, and we walk the finished fence with you.
What makes a fence take longer?
- Length and height: more posts, more panels.
- Custom or special-order materials: these can add a week or two of lead time.
- Slopes: stepped or racked fences on hills, like many in Signal Hill, take more cutting and fitting.
- Tough digging: roots, old footings or buried concrete.
- Old fence removal: tearing out and hauling away adds time up front.
- Gates: especially wide driveway gates or automatic openers, which may need an electrical permit.
- Plans and reviews: taller fences or commercial jobs that need engineered drawings.
Is pre-built vinyl or aluminum faster than wood?
Often, yes. Pre-made vinyl and aluminum panels go up quickly once posts are set, while a custom wood fence is built board by board. Under ideal conditions, a crew can sometimes put up 100 to 150 feet of pre-made fencing in a day.
So how long will mine take?
It depends on your yard, the material and whether anything needs approval or a neighbor's sign-off. We'll give you a realistic schedule in writing with your quote, so you know when the old fence comes down and when the new one is done. Curious about price too? See how much a fence costs in Long Beach.