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CGI Fence Installation: The Sherman Oaks Owner’s Guide
CGI fence installation in Sherman Oaks typically runs $3,500-$9,000 for a complete vinyl fence system, with most residential projects falling in the $4,500-$6,500 range depending on linear footage and terrain. We stock CGI-compatible posts, rails, and pickets for same-day installation on standard heights. Most Sherman Oaks homeowners discover their CGI fence needs attention when they notice leaning posts after winter rains, cracked pickets from UV exposure, or gates that no longer latch square - all common in the San Fernando Valley’s combination of clay-heavy soil and intense sun cycles.
Which CGI Models This Applies To
CGI, or Continental Fence Products, manufactures vinyl fencing under several series names that you’ll find installed across Sherman Oaks neighborhoods from the hillside homes near Mulholland Drive to the flatter lots off Riverside Drive. The most common lines in our market are the Privacy Series (6-foot solid panel), the Semi-Privacy Series (with 2-3-inch spacing between pickets), and the Ranch Rail Series (2-rail and 3-rail agricultural style). Each series uses proprietary rail dimensions - the Privacy Series runs a 2-inch by 3.5-inch top rail, while the Semi-Privacy uses a slimmer 1.5-inch by 2.5-inch rail - and mixing series parts will leave you with gaps that don’t lock properly.
To identify your CGI model, check the inside face of the bottom rail for an embossed manufacturing date and series code, or measure the wall thickness of a picket: CGI’s premium grades run 0.065 inches, while builder-grade products from other manufacturers often spec 0.040 inches. We source both OEM CGI components and quality aftermarket equivalents from suppliers who match the original tongue-and-groove geometry; the aftermarket route saves 15-20% on material cost without sacrificing the interlock fit that keeps panels rigid in wind. Rowan Construction Group Sherman Oaks is an independent service provider, not affiliated with CGI.
Signs Your CGI Fence Installation Is Failing

- Posts leaning at the base, especially after rain. Sherman Oaks sits on expansive clay soil that swells when wet and contracts in dry months. CGI posts set without proper drainage gravel or depth below the frost line (30 inches minimum per local code) will heave and tilt; we see this most often on DIY installations or contractor shortcuts from the 2015-2020 building boom.
- Cracked or chalking pickets, typically on the south- or west-facing runs. The San Fernando Valley averages 284 sunny days yearly, and UV degradation hits CGI’s titanium dioxide loading differently depending on manufacturing year. Pre-2018 CGI pickets in Sherman Oaks often show surface chalking at 6-8 years; newer formulations with enhanced UV stabilizers run 12-15 years before visible breakdown.
- Rails pulling out of post pockets, creating a bowed panel. This happens when the internal aluminum rail stiffener (a 1-inch by 1-inch channel inside the vinyl rail) corrodes from moisture intrusion at the end caps, or when the post pocket was cut oversize during original installation. The panel loses its structural backbone and sags under its own weight.
- Gate latch misalignment that worsens seasonally. A gate that latched fine in March won’t close in August because the supporting post has settled or rotated in its concrete footing. CGI gates are heavy - 35-50 pounds for a standard 4-foot walk gate - and any post movement transfers directly to latch geometry.
- Bottom rail detachment from pickets, creating a “draped” panel. CGI’s snap-lock bottom rail uses a friction fit with integral barbs; after repeated thermal cycling (Valley days hit 100°F while nights drop to 60°F), the vinyl relaxes and the barbs lose grip. The pickets separate and the panel loses vertical alignment.
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AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Component | Price Range (Installed) |
|---|---|
| Single CGI post replacement (concrete footing, 30″ depth) | $350-$550 |
| 8-foot panel replacement (posts, rails, pickets, hardware) | $650-$950 |
| Gate rebuild or replacement (4-foot walk gate) | $450-$750 |
| Complete CGI fence, 150 linear feet, Privacy Series | $4,500-$6,500 |
| Complete CGI fence, 150 linear feet, with hillside grading | $6,500-$9,000 |
What drives the range: soil condition (clay requires wider footings), access for equipment (narrow side yards in older Sherman Oaks tracts mean hand-digging), and whether we’re matching existing CGI color or replacing a full run. Every quote from Rowan Construction Group Sherman Oaks is a flat written price with line-item parts and labor, delivered before work starts - under Clause 1 of The Haven Standard, no number is verbal. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers installation workmanship; CGI’s material warranty (typically 20 years residential) transfers through us with documentation.
DIY or Call Us?

There’s honest work a homeowner can do: verify your CGI series from the rail embossing, measure linear footage with a wheel or tape, and check whether your post footing is heaving by probing the soil line with a screwdriver. What we don’t recommend: attempting to reset a post in 30 inches of concrete without knowing underground utility locations (Sherman Oaks has dense gas and electric runs), or cutting rail stiffeners to length - the aluminum channel carries wind load, and a shorted stiffener transfers stress to the vinyl shell, which cracks within two seasons.
We’ve also seen homeowners buy CGI pickets online that match the color but not the wall thickness, creating a panel that flexes differently and stresses the rails. Measure twice, write it down, then build it - or call us and we’ll deliver the written quote with the exact spec. Call (213) 221-0788 to schedule your free estimate.
FAQs
Expect 15-20 years for CGI vinyl in the San Fernando Valley climate, with the first visible maintenance typically at year 10-12 in the form of UV chalking on south-facing panels. The 284 annual sunny days here accelerate surface degradation compared to coastal LA, but the PVC substrate itself remains structurally sound. Call (213) 221-0788 for an exact quote on refresh or replacement - estimates are free.
A hairline crack in a single picket can be bridged with PVC adhesive for a temporary fix, but the repair won’t match the original flexural strength and will likely re-crack at the next temperature swing. We replace the picket with matching CGI spec and dispose of the damaged piece. Call (213) 221-0788 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
A standard 150-linear-foot residential installation in Sherman Oaks takes 2-3 working days: day one for layout and post-setting, day two for panel and gate hanging, day three for hardware adjustment and cleanup. Hillside lots or tight access can add a day. Call (213) 221-0788 to schedule your free estimate.
We carry CGI-compatible posts, rails, and pickets in white and tan for the Privacy and Semi-Privacy Series, plus standard gate hardware and aluminum stiffeners. Custom colors or the Ranch Rail Series typically require a 3-5 day order. Call (213) 221-0788 to confirm availability for your specific CGI model.
Written by Grant Rowan, Owner, Rowan Construction Group Sherman Oaks at Rowan Construction Group Sherman Oaks, serving Sherman Oaks and nearby areas.







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