Most houses in University Place went up between the 1950s and the 1990s, which means the fence around them is usually on its second or third life. We are a reputable fence company, that works this side of the Narrows most weeks, from the flat streets off Bridgeport Way to the lots that fall away toward Chambers Bay. Lot shape drives more of our recommendations here than material preference does.
The Kinds of Properties We Work on in University Place
Detached single-family homes on quarter-acre and third-acre lots make up most of our work here. We have been installing in this part of Pierce County since 2006, and the pattern is consistent. Older neighborhoods carry mature firs and maples with root systems that reach well past the trunk line, so post placement often has to shift a foot or two from where the old line ran. Six-foot cedar remains the most common request, and our cedar fence installation work covers five different styles so the finish can match the era of the house rather than fighting it.
Fencing Challenges Specific to This Area
Grade is the big one. Streets running west toward the water sit on a long slope, and a fence built flat across a falling grade leaves a gap at one end and buries the boards at the other. Goodrow’s Fence & Deck either steps the panels down in even increments or racks them to follow the ground, and which one we pick depends on the style you choose and how visible the run is from the street. Drainage is the second issue. Heavy clay holds water through the wet months, so post holes need backfill that lets water move rather than pooling around the base.
Our Approach for University Place Customers
We come out, walk the line with you, and price the job before anything starts. That visit is free and carries no obligation. If the property backs onto a neighbor’s existing fence, we will tell you plainly whether replacing it is worth the cost or whether repairing what is there makes more sense. Financing through Hearth is available if the project is larger than the immediate budget, and a 5% discount up to $300 applies for military, first responders, and seniors.
Scheduling and Access Here
Access is straightforward on most University Place streets. Driveways are wide enough for a truck and trailer, and we can usually stage material on site rather than shuttling it. Narrow side gates are the one recurring obstacle, since panels and posts have to come through to the back garden by hand. We check that clearance at the estimate so there are no surprises on install day. If you have dogs, we bring a temporary kennel and set it up before work starts, at no charge.
About University Place
University Place sits west of Tacoma along the Puget Sound shoreline, with roughly 35,000 residents. The housing is almost entirely owner-occupied detached homes, which is why replacement fencing rather than new-build fencing makes up most of our volume here. The city stretches from the Narrows in the north down past Chambers Creek in the south, and the change in elevation across that span is what shapes nearly every quote we write in this area.
FAQ
My back garden slopes toward Chambers Bay. Will the fence follow the ground or stay level?
Either is possible. Racked panels follow the slope and give a continuous top line. Stepped panels stay level and drop in increments, which leaves small triangular gaps at the bottom that can be filled. We will show you both the estimate and explain which suits your run.
There are large firs along my property line. Can you still set posts?
Usually, yes. We adjust spacing to work around major roots rather than cutting through them, which protects the tree and stops the post heaving later. Occasionally a post has to move far enough that the fence line shifts slightly, and we would flag that before starting.
Do I need a permit for a fence in University Place?
Height and placement decide it, and rules differ depending on where the fence sits relative to the street and property line. We are familiar with the local requirements and will tell you what applies to your address during the estimate visit.
Something that comes up again and again in reviews is the crew turning up on the day they said they would and clearing debris before they leave. That matters more on a University Place job than it sounds, because these are close-set residential streets where a half-finished fence and a pile of offcuts sit in full view of the neighbors for as long as they are there.
Ready to price your fence? Book an estimate and we will come out, walk the line, and give you a number before any work begins.
Other Areas We Serve: