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Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterCGI Fence Installation: The West Palm Beach Owner’s Guide
CGI fence installation in West Palm Beach typically runs $3,500-$9,000 for a complete vinyl or aluminum system, depending on linear footage, terrain, and whether we’re replacing an existing fence or starting fresh on bare ground. We stock CGI-compatible posts, rails, pickets, and gate hardware for same-day repair calls when a section fails, and we carry full inventory for new installs across the brand’s residential lines. Most owners first realize something’s wrong when a gate sags and won’t latch, a post leans after a summer storm, or pickets start pulling free from the bottom rail - usually because the Florida sun has degraded the vinyl or the sandy soil around West Palm Beach has shifted the footing.
Which CGI Models This Applies To
CGI builds three residential fence lines that we regularly encounter in West Palm Beach: the Estate series (heavy-wall vinyl privacy), the Sequoia series (semi-privacy with reinforced bottom rail), and the Sentinel aluminum ornamental line. The part you need depends on which series is on your property. Estate and Sequoia posts are 5-inch square vinyl with internal aluminum inserts; Sentinel posts are 2-inch square aluminum with welded flanges. Check the inside of your gate frame or the underside of the top rail for a stamped date code and series mark - if it’s faded, measure the wall thickness: Estate vinyl is .065 inch, Sequoia is .055 inch, and mixing the two causes rail-to-post fit problems we see constantly in the El Cid and Northwood neighborhoods.
CGI OEM parts ship from their Midwest distribution center with a 7-10 day lead time, which is why we stock quality aftermarket equivalents matched to CGI specs on our trucks. For structural components - posts, gates, and reinforced bottom rails - we recommend OEM or our direct-fit equivalent; for pickets and decorative caps, aftermarket performs identically at lower cost. We are an independent service provider, not affiliated with CGI.
Signs Your CGI Fence Installation Is Failing
- Gate sag and latch misalignment. The aluminum gate frame has twisted or the hinge post insert has corroded at the concrete interface. In West Palm Beach, salt air accelerates this even on inland properties, and we find the lower hinge bolt loosened by seasonal ground movement.
- Bottom rail pulling free from end posts. The rail’s internal aluminum stiffener has snapped or the vinyl sleeve has UV-degraded at the stress point. CGI’s bottom rail carries the picket load; once it goes, the whole section follows within a season.
- Post lean after routine storms. The concrete footing has cracked or the post insert has rotted at grade level. Sandy soils in neighborhoods like Flamingo Park drain fast but don’t hold a post plumb under lateral load without proper depth and backfill.
- Picket discoloration with surface cracking. This is UV breakdown of the vinyl capstock, not dirt. Once the protective layer fails, the substrate chalks and weakens; individual picket replacement is cheaper than full section replacement if caught early.
- Hardware seizure or gate drag. Hinges and latches on CGI gates use zinc-plated steel that corrodes in Florida humidity. We replace with stainless hardware on every repair - it’s a spec upgrade that eliminates the repeat call.
BeforeAfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Price Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Single post replacement (vinyl, with footing) | $450-$850 | OEM or matched post, concrete footing, hardware, haul-away |
| Gate rebuild (existing frame salvageable) | $600-$1,200 | New pickets, hardware upgrade to stainless, rehang and align |
| Gate replacement (full assembly) | $1,100-$2,400 | CGI-compatible gate, posts if needed, hardware, installation |
| Section rebuild (6-8 feet, one rail + pickets) | $800-$1,600 | Rails, pickets, brackets, alignment to existing posts |
| Full fence installation (new, 150-200 linear feet) | $3,500-$9,000 | Complete system, permits pulled, final grade and cleanup |
The range depends on three factors: access (tight side yards in older West Palm Beach homes add labor), soil condition (rock or fill requires longer posts and more concrete), and whether we’re matching faded existing vinyl or installing new. Under Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, you get a written price before anyone starts - every line item listed, no open-ended allowances. Our 365-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation; manufacturer defects go through CGI’s warranty, which we handle as part of the job.
DIY or Call Us?
There’s a safe middle ground here. An owner can check gate hinge bolts with a socket set, verify whether a post is loose in its footing by rocking it by hand, and clear vegetation that’s trapping moisture against the bottom rail. What we don’t recommend: digging out and re-pouring a concrete footing, attempting to straighten a bent aluminum gate frame, or replacing a bottom rail under tension - the rail is under load from the pickets and can snap back when released. We’ve also seen homeowners mix Estate and Sequoia parts because the colors looked close, then call us when the rails won’t seat. If you’re unsure of the series or the repair involves structural components, call (561) 475-3903 and we’ll schedule a free estimate with a written price before any work starts.
FAQs
In our climate, a properly installed CGI vinyl fence lasts 20-25 years; aluminum Sentinel line lasts 30-plus. The failure points are usually hardware at year 8-12 and bottom rail stress at year 15. Call (561) 475-3903 for an exact quote on extending life with targeted repairs - estimates are free.
Most of the time we can repair a single section or gate. Full replacement is only necessary when multiple posts have failed, the vinyl has widespread UV degradation, or the original installation was out of spec and the geometry can’t be corrected piecemeal. We assess this on every free estimate and tell you straight which path saves money long-term. Call (561) 475-3903 to schedule.
A single post or gate repair is usually half a day. Full residential installation of 150-200 linear feet takes 2-3 days, including permit pulling and inspection scheduling - we handle both. We don’t promise same-day completion on full installs; the concrete footing needs proper cure time, and we don’t skip that step. Call (561) 475-3903 for a written timeline with your quote.
We stock posts, rails, pickets, and stainless hardware matched to CGI specs for same-day repair calls. Full gate assemblies and specialty colors ship overnight from our regional supplier. If we don’t have it, we know exactly where to get it and when - no guessing, no “we’ll call you back.” Call (561) 475-3903 to confirm availability for your model.
Grant Rowan grew up in Los Angeles, where he spent summers watching his uncle frame houses in the San Fernando Valley and decided early that construction was the only work that made sense to him. After training at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and years on commercial and residential sites across Southern California, he and his crew have spent the past several years applying that same discipline in West Palm Beach - including projects along Flagler Drive. He’s known for keeping a clean site, handing over a binder of documentation at project close, and returning calls the same day. Measure twice, document everything, then get out of the way and let the work speak.
Written by Grant Rowan, Owner, Rowan Construction Group West Palm Beach at Rowan Construction Group West Palm Beach, serving West Palm Beach and nearby areas.