Why people pay more for cedar
Cedar is the premium wood for fencing. Its natural oils give it resistance to decay, rot and insects, and sources describe it as naturally protected against termites and carpenter ants (Fixr). A Fort Worth contractor estimates a professionally installed Western Red Cedar fence lasts 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance (Top Rail Fences). That is one contractor’s estimate for another Texas city, not a promise for your yard.
The underground catch
Cedar that touches soil does not fare as well. When it is buried it rots considerably faster than pine, according to a contractor source (Viking Fence). That is why many builders pair cedar pickets with treated pine or metal posts. If a bid for cedar lists buried cedar posts, ask about it, and ask what is under the bottom board where it meets the ground.
Cedar versus pine over time
Pine can come in lower on the first invoice. Spread over the lifespans contractors quote, the gap may narrow: roughly 8 to 15 years for pressure-treated pine against 15 to 20 for cedar. If you plan to stay in the house, ask your installer to price both options and compare cost per expected year. If you will sell soon, the cheaper fence may be the better choice.
Cedar and the New Braunfels climate
The area gets about 35 inches of rain in an average year, with May typically the wettest month (WeatherSpark). Long dry stretches and hot summers still fade and crack unfinished cedar over time, so even cedar benefits from sealing or staining. Ask whether the installer recommends a clear sealer to keep the red tone or a stain that tolerates the sun better, and how often to reapply.
Cedar and your HOA
Many newer subdivisions have HOAs, including master-planned communities such as Veramendi. Texas Property Code § 202.023 says many associations may not prohibit an owner from installing a perimeter fence, but they may still regulate the type of fence (Property Code ch. 202). In practice, an HOA may name a wood, a color or a style. Send your plans to the architectural review committee in writing and get the answer in writing before the crew starts.
What to look for in a cedar quote
- The cedar species and picket grade, written out.
- Post material and how deep the holes will be, especially if rock is likely.
- The fastener type, written out, since it affects how the fence holds up over time.
- Who removes the old fence.
- The finish plan and a written warranty.
Compare with general wood privacy fences, plan openings on the gates page and see the cost guide.
Staying red or going silver
New cedar is a warm reddish-tan. Left unfinished, it weathers to gray, which many people like and some do not. A tinted stain keeps the color longer; a clear sealer shows the natural grain but needs reapplying more often. Pick the look you want before the fence goes up so the crew can plan the finish while the wood is fresh. Ask whether the stain is oil-based or water-based, how many coats are in the quote and what the touch-up schedule should be.
Picket thickness and straightness
Cedar pickets are sold in different thicknesses and grades, and thin or knotty boards can warp even though cedar resists rot. Ask what thickness is in the quote and whether the crew culls bent boards on site. A fence built with straight, well-dried boards stays tight to its rails; one built with twisted boards shows gaps within a season. It is worth a few minutes at the lumber stack, or a photo from the crew, before the job starts.
A hybrid fence is common
Because buried cedar rots faster than pine, many builders combine treated pine or steel posts with cedar pickets, which gets you the look and decay resistance where it matters while protecting the part of the fence that sits in the ground. If a quote shows all-cedar construction, ask the installer to explain how the posts are protected where they enter the soil.
Questions to ask about cedar supply
Not every cedar board is the same. Western Red Cedar, the species the Fort Worth contractor cites, is often shipped in from outside Texas, while other cedars sold as fence boards differ in color, grain and durability. Ask which species is quoted, whether the boards are kiln-dried or green, and how long the crew lets them acclimate before nailing. Green boards shrink as they dry, so a fence built with wet boards can open gaps within weeks.