Serving central Iowa including Des Moines, Ankeny, West Des Moines, service areas.
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Big Chief Fence Builders contractor shaking hands with a Des Moines homeowner beside a new cedar privacy fence
Sagging, leaning, or missing a fence entirely?

Fence Installers in Des Moines

Local fence contractors for yards, acreages and job sites. We build fences for Iowa wind, frost and clay — fast scheduling, fair pricing, and a crew that calls you back.

Free estimates
Licensed & insured
Financing available
FastEstimates in days, most jobs built within two weeks.
Fair pricedOne written fence quote. No surprises, no upsell.
Real serviceThe owner answers the phone and calls you back.
The Big Chief Fence Builders crew beside a cedar fence in progress
Licensed & insured · Des Moines

“Straight posts, straight answers — and the fence is dead straight.”

Fence Installers in Des Moines

✓Fast scheduling — most jobs in two weeks
✓Fair, upfront pricing
✓Real customer service
Get free estimate
Freeestimates
Licensed& insured
Financingavailable
Free fence estimates · Serving Des Moines & central Iowa

Iowa Frost Heaves Posts Set Too Shallow

Central Iowa is rough on a fence. Expansive clay soil heaves posts every freeze-thaw cycle, the frost line runs about 42 inches deep, and open prairie wind works panels loose season after season. A fence set in shallow concrete starts leaning within a few winters.

As local fence installers, we set every post below the frost line, crown our concrete to shed water, and use fasteners rated for treated lumber — so your fence stays plumb long after the crew leaves.

Not sure what your yard needs? Tell us what you're picturing and we'll walk the property line with you. No pressure, no jargon — just a clear plan and a fair price.

Fence post set below the frost line in Iowa clay

Central Iowa is rough on a fence. Clay heaves posts every freeze-thaw cycle, the frost line runs about 42 inches deep, and prairie wind works panels loose. A fence set shallow starts leaning within a few winters.

We set every post below the frost line in crowned concrete, so your fence stays plumb long after the crew leaves.

Get your free fence estimate
Fence post set below the frost line in Iowa clay soil

Iowa's frost line sits around 42" deep. Posts set shallower than that heave a little more every winter — the number one reason Des Moines fences lean.

A fence for every property and budget

A Fence Built for Your Yard and Budget

Residential and commercial fence installation in Des Moines — from backyard privacy to farm perimeter and site security. Our licensed fence contractors handle the whole job: layout, permits, utility locates, install and cleanup, fast and at a fair price.

Privacy Fence Installation in Des Moines, Iowa

Privacy Fence Installation

Six-foot treated pine and cedar privacy fences built to block wind and neighbors — posts set below Iowa's 42" frost line.

Privacy Fence Installation →
Wood & Cedar Picket Fences in Des Moines, Iowa

Wood & Cedar Picket Fences

Classic picket fences in cedar that frame your yard without closing it in. Custom heights and post caps.

Wood & Cedar Picket Fences →
Chain Link Fence Installation in Des Moines, Iowa

Chain Link Fence Installation

Affordable, low-maintenance chain link for pets, pools, and property lines — galvanized or black vinyl-coated.

Chain Link Fence Installation →
Vinyl Fence Installation in Des Moines, Iowa

Vinyl Fence Installation

Never paint again. Vinyl privacy and picket fences rated for prairie wind, with a clean look that lasts decades.

Vinyl Fence Installation →
Iron & Aluminum Fences in Des Moines, Iowa

Iron & Aluminum Fences

Elegant metal fencing for front yards, pools, and estates — security without hiding your landscaping.

Iron & Aluminum Fences →
Farm & Acreage Fencing in Des Moines, Iowa

Farm & Acreage Fencing

Board, wire, and post fencing for acreages and livestock — built to handle animals, weather, and equipment.

Farm & Acreage Fencing →
Commercial Fence Company in Des Moines, Iowa

Commercial Fence Company

Perimeter fencing for businesses, lots, and job sites — from chain link with barbed wire to decorative steel.

Commercial Fence Company →
Gate Installation in Des Moines, Iowa

Gate Installation

Walk gates, drive gates, and automatic openers — matched to your fence and built to swing true for years.

Gate Installation →
Fence Repair in Des Moines, Iowa

Fence Repair

Leaning posts, rotted rails, storm damage — we repair what's fixable and tell you straight when it's not.

Fence Repair →
Deck Builder in Des Moines, Iowa

Deck Builder

The same crew that builds your fence can build the deck it wraps around — framing, decking, and code-compliant railing.

Deck Builder →
Des Moines and central Iowa

Areas We Serve in Greater Des Moines

We're based in Des Moines and build fences across the metro and central Iowa — within about 120 miles. If you're in one of these areas, we can help:

No runaround. No surprises.

Three Steps to a Fence You Can Trust

1

We walk your property line

You tell us what you need — privacy, pets, curb appeal, security. We measure, check grades and utility locates, and explain your options with no pressure.

2

You get a clear plan and price

A written estimate with materials, layout and timeline spelled out. No hidden fees. You decide when — or if — you want to move forward.

3

We build it right and clean up

Posts below frost line, crowned concrete, straight lines. We haul away the old fence and debris, and walk the finished job with you before we leave.

Risks of waiting or cutting corners

Every Winter a Leaning Fence Costs More

Leaning posts pull neighboring panels out of line until whole sections need replacing

Rotted rails and pickets turn a cheap repair into a full rebuild

Shallow-set posts heave more every winter — the fix costs more each year you wait

A failing fence means escaped pets, disputes with neighbors, and a hit to your home's value

Get a trusted fix
Leaning, weathered wood fence in a Des Moines backyard
Straight answers

What to Know Before You Build a Fence

How much does a fence cost in Des Moines?

Most residential projects fall between $3,500 and $15,000 depending on material and length. Chain link is the most affordable; cedar privacy and ornamental iron cost more. We provide a written, itemized estimate after a free on-site visit — no high-pressure sales.

How deep do fence posts need to be set in Iowa?

Below the frost line — about 42 inches in central Iowa. Posts set shallower heave with every freeze-thaw cycle and start leaning within a few winters. Deep-set posts with crowned concrete are the single biggest difference between a fence that lasts and one that doesn't.

Do I need a permit or utility locate for a fence?

Most Des Moines metro cities require a fence permit, and Iowa One Call utility locates are required by law before digging. We handle both as part of every job.

How long does fence installation take?

Most residential fences take one to three days once materials arrive. Weather and utility locates set the schedule — we give you a real timeline in the estimate and stick to it.

A Straight Fence Starts With a Free Estimate

Free fence estimates from local fence builders. Fast scheduling, fair pricing, real customer service — no obligation, no pressure.

Free estimate