You are probably wondering which wall or fence would be right for you. This could be for the front, side, and backyard. Walls and fences are great because it provides a sense of security from people and animals. Your kids can be outside safe and sound while you are inside knowing that they are safe. Another reason to have an amazing wall or fence would be for privacy reasons. We all have seen some of the videos in other states where homeowners don’t have fences and share one big backyard. Yea.. that doesn’t cut it for California. So in this article we will be discussing the benefits of each wall and fence such as regular block wall, wood fence, vinyl fence, metal fence, split face style block wall, and the benefits of having pillars with an iron fence for the front yard.  

1. Wood Fence: Ahh the classic wood fence that was very popular in the 1990’s as well as today. These fences provide a good amount of privacy but can easily deteriorate due to weather and accidents. The pros for this type of fence is that it is very affordable. You can hire almost anyone to come and help you install it as long as they know how to make everything level and plumb. You can even show yourself how to install it through some videos online. One of the cons for this type of fence is that it gets damaged easily. I have seen dogs dig holes underneath and escape the backyard and I have seen weather break these types of fences. The cost of having one of these wood fences installed varies due to the length needed to complete the fence and materials. The cost is around $4,000 to $8,000 depending how long of a fence you will need. Here is a tutorial on how to install a wood fence by yourself if you have the time! How To Build & Install A Wood Privacy Fence Yourself! WITHOUT breaking the bank!!!! – YouTube    
2. Vinyl Fence: Another affordable great option to build a fence would be the vinyl fence. This type of fence can come in some different colors such as gray, light gray, and earth brown. I would recommend hiring someone to install this type of fence because you would need to dig holes and fill it with concrete for the post. I definitely think that these types of fences are very beautiful and can match a home. I have seen modern homes with these types of fences around the property and let me tell you, it looked amazing. The privacy is much better than the wood fence because there won’t be many open seams and cracks like there would be on a wood fence. The durability is also much better because it’s made out of a harder plastic and can last years. The cost varies but it usually costs anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 depending on how long the fencing is and the materials as well. Here is another video showing you tips and tricks for installing this type of fence, but I would definitely recommend hiring a professional. HOW TO easily install vinyl fencing | Tips & Tricks to make it easier – YouTube 
3. Regular Block Wall: Another great choice that I would definitely recommend is to build a regular gray cinder block wall. The amount of privacy and security is much better than the wood fence and vinyl fence. I have seen these types of walls last decades and I would definitely recommend hiring a professional to do this. The cost is at the higher side of the spectrum but I would definitely recommend it due to what you can do with a block wall. You might be thinking, “a regular block wall sounds boring!” I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. I have seen homeowners only install the block wall and then later on paint it or apply stucco to it. The good thing about having a regular block wall is that you can always decide to customize it later on when you have the funds to do so. I have seen homeowners paint their block wall a beautiful white or black color which made their home look aesthetic. Another option you have is to have stone veneer for your block wall. I have also seen homeowners apply stucco, such as smooth stucco, or a monterey style stucco. Stucco can come in many different colors and styles which will make your wall look nice. This can be all done in separate phases according to your finances. The cost of a block wall depends on the material and labor. This is due to the length of the wall and the labor to build the wall. In order to have a wall that will last you years, you will have to make sure you hire the right company to do it. The company will need to make sure the wall has the proper footing and the proper rebar spacing, and will have to fill the wall with concrete. The last thing you will need is a hollow wall that is weak. The cost would be around $10,000 to $15,000 depending on the length of the wall and if you would want any stucco applied or have it painted. The height would also need to be up to code depending on where you live. Usually it is six feet high or four feet depending on where you live, so I would recommend looking into the city codes for that. 
4. Split Face Block Wall: The best looking wall that will make your backyard look like a castle or a mansion! This type of wall has a style to the block where it makes the block wall stand out. If you are looking to install this type of wall then I can ensure that you will spend a good amount of money for this type of wall. I also can assure you that investing in this type of wall would make a great curb appeal to your home. This type of wall is an investment for your home. The colors are gray, brown, or a light tan. I have installed these types of walls before and the backyard looked amazing when we were done! The cost to build this wall definitely depends on the type of color and also if you would want both sides of the wall to have a split, making it a double split. The cost ranges from $15,000 to $25,000 but it is worth it! 
5. Pillars and Gate: Another popular option that is increasing in LA are pillars and gates. Investing in this type of construction will double your home value and increase the curb appeal to your home. The added bonus to this is that you will have privacy all around your house and driveway. Who doesn’t like coming home to open automatic gates that look amazing? Another bonus is that you can customize the gate design as well as the pillars and wall. You can add stucco, paint, stone veneer, and split face block as well.         

So, to sum everything up, having a block wall can add a curb appeal to your home which will make it much more valuable. Having any type of fence adds value to your home by adding security and privacy. Whichever budget you may have, security, privacy, and having a peace of mind is much better and worth it. A story that I have is that a homeowner wanted to install a pillar with a fence in front of their house because someone who was manic entered their property and started dancing on the driveway. The cops were called, and the homeowner had to miss work because he was inside. So, he called us and hired us to install the pillars and gates. So, in this article we have discussed each type of wall and style as well as the price range. So, the question is what type of fence will you choose?