Prices are estimates from typical local jobs and vary by home.
Fence · Hiawatha, IA
A good fence keeps the dog in, gives the kids a safe yard and makes a patio feel private. We connect Hiawatha homeowners with local installers for new fences, gates and repairs built to stand up to Iowa wind and frost.
Call Or get a free quoteHiawatha is full of family yards, from the ranches and split-levels near Guthridge Park to the newer homes on the north side of town. Many of those yards share lot lines, slopes and utility easements, which makes a little planning important before the first post goes in. The 2020 derecho also knocked down a lot of older fences around Linn County, and plenty of homeowners are still replacing temporary fixes with something permanent.
Homeowners in ZIP code 52233 and nearby towns can use this service to reach fence contractors for new installs, replacements and repairs. One project might be a six-foot cedar privacy fence around the whole backyard. Another might be a short run of black aluminum around a patio, a chain link dog run or a new gate that actually latches. Sharing your yard size and goals helps the installer recommend the right material.
Iowa frost is the big enemy of fence posts. Ground that freezes and thaws can heave posts that were set too shallow, leaving sections leaning by spring. Local crews typically set posts below the frost line, around 42 inches here, in concrete or compacted gravel, and they leave room for drainage so water does not sit at the base of wood posts.
A clear fence estimate lists the linear footage, height, material, post spacing and depth, number and width of gates, removal of any old fence and who calls Iowa One Call to mark utilities. Ask about the property line too. Many installers will set the fence just inside your line, but a survey or your plat map is the best way to avoid a dispute with a neighbor.
Cedar and treated pine privacy fences are the most popular choice for backyards here. A crew can build board-on-board, shadowbox or spaced-picket styles, and talk with you about staining or sealing to slow weathering.
Vinyl fencing will not rot or need paint, and it cleans up with a hose. Installers can help you pick a height and style that suits your house and stands up to strong winds.
Chain link is an affordable, durable option for keeping pets in and marking boundaries. Black-coated chain link blends into the yard better than plain galvanized and costs only a little more.
Black aluminum looks like wrought iron without the rust. It is a good fit around patios, front yards and pools where you want to keep the view open.
A crew can add walk gates and wide double drive gates, rehang sagging gates and install self-closing hinges and latches. Ask for a gate wide enough for a mower or a small trailer.
Leaning posts, broken boards and storm damage can often be fixed without replacing the whole fence. A pro can reset posts, replace sections and match the existing style as closely as possible.
This site is only for fence in Hiawatha, IA and nearby towns. We connect you with a pro who works in the area.
Share your town, what you need and how soon. There is no cost to ask and no obligation.
The costs, steps and questions on this page are general guides, so you know what to ask before you hire.
Ask any pro for a written estimate that lists the work, materials and timeline before the job starts.
Before anyone digs, call Iowa One Call at 811 so buried utility lines are marked. Most fence contractors handle the call, but it is worth confirming.
A six-foot wood privacy fence typically costs $30 to $55 per linear foot installed in the Cedar Rapids area. A typical backyard with 150 to 200 feet of fence often lands between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on material, gates and how much old fence needs removal.
Vinyl privacy fencing usually runs $40 to $70 per foot, black aluminum $35 to $65 per foot, and chain link $15 to $30 per foot. Each gate adds to the total, and wide drive gates cost more than walk gates.
Sloped yards, rocky soil and tight access can increase labor. Ask the installer to show those factors separately and to explain how they step or rack panels on a slope so the fence looks even from the patio.
Check the City of Hiawatha's fence rules before you choose a height. Front-yard fences usually have lower limits than backyard fences, corner lots may have sight-line rules, and many neighborhoods with an HOA have their own approved styles and colors.
Let new cedar or treated wood dry for a few weeks, then apply a quality stain or sealer. Refresh it every two to three years to keep the boards from graying and cracking. Keep sprinklers and mulch from soaking the bottom of the fence.
Spring and early summer are the busiest months for fence crews. If you want a fence by Memorial Day or before a new puppy comes home, request estimates in late winter. Fall installation is a good option too, while the ground is still workable.
When comparing bids, make sure each one uses the same height, material grade, post size and depth. Ask whether the crew will haul away the old fence, how they protect the lawn and what warranty covers posts and workmanship. A local installer who works in Hiawatha, Marion and Cedar Rapids is easy to call back if a gate needs adjusting after the first winter.
Local crews often work in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Robins, Center Point, Toddville and Alburnett too. Share your address and project details to see if a pro serves your location.
Many cities in the area require a fence permit or zoning approval, especially for taller fences or corner lots. Check with the City of Hiawatha, and ask whether your installer handles the paperwork.
Many cities and HOAs ask that the finished side face the neighbors and the street. Board-on-board and shadowbox styles look good from both sides.
In this part of Iowa, posts are usually set about 42 inches deep or deeper to get below the frost line and resist heaving.
A well-built cedar or treated fence often lasts 15 to 20 years with regular staining. Vinyl and aluminum can last longer with very little upkeep.
Yes. Installers either step the panels down the hill or rack them to follow the grade. Your estimate should say which method they plan to use.
Tell us where the home is, what you are seeing and how soon you need help. We can connect you with a nearby pro in the Hiawatha area to talk through the job and next steps.
No obligation and no pressure.
5 hurricanes and 35 tornadoes survived. This is DC’s storm kit, picked for the hours and days after the lights go out, whether it is a derecho, a tornado warning or an ice storm in Hiawatha, IA: backup power, water, light, a weather radio, first aid and food. Every pick opens on Amazon in a new tab.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy through the Amazon links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Keep the fridge, phones, lights and Wi-Fi going when the grid goes down. Gas inverter generators handle the big loads; battery power stations and a solar power bank cover quiet power for devices.
#1Open-frame inverter generator
A gas inverter generator rated 4,200 peak / 3,300 running watts. AIVOLT lists up to 16 hours of runtime on its 2.6-gallon tank in ECO mode, CO shutdown, a low-oil alert, parallel capability, an RV-ready outlet and USB ports, at 54.3 lb and 68 dB.
Run gas generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows. Carbon monoxide can kill.
View on AmazonPhoto: AIVOLT (manufacturer product photo), via aivoltshop.com
Solar generator kit
A 1,024Wh LiFePO4 power station with 1,800W rated AC output, sold as a kit with a 200W solar panel (the listing says the panel ships separately).
Check what the kit includes and which appliances fit within 1,800W before buying.
View on Amazon
#3Gas inverter generator
A gas inverter generator rated 2,350 surge / 1,900 running watts, about 39 lb, with a fuel shutoff feature.
Run gas generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows. Carbon monoxide can kill.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a WEN inverter generator, not this exact model. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#4Power station
A 292Wh portable power station with 300W rated AC output (600W surge), 2 AC outlets, a USB-C PD port, and a weight of about 7.5 lb.
Best for phones, laptops, lights and small devices. Check device wattage first.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a Jackery power station, not this exact model. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#5Open-frame inverter generator
A gas inverter generator rated 4,400 peak / 3,400 running watts, with an RV outlet and a 2-gallon tank with fuel gauge.
Run gas generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows. Carbon monoxide can kill.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a open-frame inverter generator, not this exact model. Photo: P1898, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#6Solar power bank
A 49,800mAh power bank with a solar panel, wireless charging, 4 built-in cables and 22.5W fast charging.
Solar charging is slow. Charge it fully from a wall outlet before a storm.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a solar power bank, not this exact model. Photo: Pinguinguy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Store it, filter it, or pull it from the air. Ready.gov suggests at least one gallon of water per person per day, for several days.
Water jugs
Two 5-gallon BPA-free HDPE water jugs with a spigot and two cap openings.
Clean and refill stored water on a regular schedule.
View on AmazonWater bladder
A food-grade TPU water bladder that holds 60 gallons and folds flat when empty, with a 3/4-inch garden-hose thread fitting.
A full 60-gallon bladder is very heavy. Set it on a surface that can carry the weight.
View on AmazonWater filter
A push-button pump filter for river, lake or stream water. It recharges by USB-C, a built-in solar panel or a hand crank, and the listing rates one filter core at 5,000 liters.
Follow the maker’s directions for treating water before drinking.
View on AmazonWater from air
A plug-in (110V) unit the listing says makes up to 10 liters of cold drinking water a day from the air, with no plumbing.
Needs electrical power to run. Check the listing for output conditions and filter care.
View on AmazonLight to work by after dark, a NOAA weather radio for alerts, and push-to-talk radios to keep the crew or family in touch.
#11LED lantern
An LED lantern with 3 light modes (daylight white, full brightness, warm white), a top handle and a base hook. The shade comes off for a shorter light.
Check the listing for battery type and runtime.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a LED camping lantern, not this exact model. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Work light
A 3-head LED flood light rated at 15,000 lumens and 6500K, with a 1.6 m stand. It runs on DeWalt 20V batteries.
Tool only: battery and charger are not included.
View on Amazon
#13Weather radio
A NOAA/AM/FM radio with a 12,000mAh battery that charges by solar panel, hand crank or USB-C, or runs on 3 AAA batteries.
Check that NOAA weather radio reaches your area.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a emergency crank radio, not this exact model. Photo: Morn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#144G walkie-talkies
Push-to-talk radios that use 4G cellular (PoC) instead of radio range. The listing says a SIM with lifetime free data is included. 2,500mAh battery, USB-C charging.
Uses the cellular network, so check service in your area.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a walkie-talkies, not this exact model. Photo: Wtshymanski at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A well-stocked first aid kit and meals that need no fridge.
#15First aid kit
A 430-piece kit in a labeled, compartmented 1680D polyester bag, with bandages, gloves, a CPR face shield, a tourniquet and a first aid manual.
A kit is not a substitute for first aid training or emergency care.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a first aid kit, not this exact model. Photo: Renée Kools, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#16Emergency food
Freeze-dried entrées, up to 120 servings, in a flood-safe bucket with a handle. The listing says it lasts up to 25 years in cool, dry storage.
Check servings, calories and allergens on the listing.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a freeze-dried emergency food, not this exact model. Photo: Gigs, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
See the storm and outage gear we recommend above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through those links.
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