Dripping Springs is the gateway to the Hill Country, and the projects out here look different. Larger lots, real acreage, ranch fences that run hundreds of feet, pavilions instead of patio covers, and homes oriented around the view, the wedding venue, or the stargazing. We build for it.
What we build for Dripping Springs properties
- Split-rail & ranch fences: 2-rail, 3-rail, pipe-and-cable, and cedar post-and-rail. Built for acreage, livestock, and the long view. Learn more about fences
- Cedar pergolas & pavilions: from intimate cedar pergolas to large pavilion-style outdoor rooms with stone fireplaces and outdoor kitchens. Learn more about pergolas
- Standing-seam metal roofs: the right call for Hill Country homes. 40+ year lifespan, reflects heat, looks beautiful on stone-and-stucco builds. Learn more about roofing
- Custom decks for sloped lots: elevated, multi-level, and engineered for limestone footings. Learn more about decks
- Hardie & board-and-batten siding: matched to Hill Country palettes. Learn more about siding
- Stone hardscape, fire pits, & outdoor kitchens: flagstone patios, retaining walls, gas fire pits, full outdoor kitchens. Learn more about hardscape
What projects cost in Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs runs a little above the Austin average, and the reason is acreage. Longer fence runs, longer material hauls, and structures that sit further from the nearest power and water than a subdivision build does.
| Project | Typical range, installed |
|---|---|
| Cedar privacy fence | $32 to $55 per linear foot |
| Split-rail or ranch fence | $18 to $34 per linear foot |
| Freestanding cedar pergola | $8,500 to $22,000 |
| Solid-roof patio cover or pavilion | $16,500 to $42,000 |
| Pressure-treated deck | $11,500 to $27,000 |
| Cedar deck | $15,000 to $32,000 |
| Roof replacement, architectural shingle | $11,000 to $18,000 |
| Standing-seam metal roof | $25,000 to $45,000 |
2026 installed pricing. On acreage, the distance from the driveway to the build is a real line item, so we walk the access route before quoting.
Building on Hill Country limestone
Dripping Springs sits on the Edwards Plateau, which means limestone close to the surface across most of the area. That is genuinely good news structurally, because rock does not heave seasonally the way the clay east of I-35 does. A footing in rock stays where you put it.
It is harder news for the crew. Footings sometimes need different equipment to reach depth, and on a bad day a post hole that should take twenty minutes takes two hours. We probe before we quote rather than discovering it on build day and coming back to you with a number you did not agree to.
Outdoor lighting and the dark sky ordinance
Dripping Springs was the first International Dark Sky Community in Texas, and the lighting rules that come with that are real and they apply to what we build. Pergola and patio cover lighting has to be shielded and aimed downward rather than spilling sideways or up.
Practically, this is not a constraint worth resenting. Downward-shielded lighting under a tongue-and-groove ceiling looks better than uplighting anyway, and the reason people move out here is partly the sky. We spec fixtures that comply, and we would rather get that right at the design stage than have you replace fixtures afterward.
Permits, septic and wildfire
Inside the city limits, permits go through the City of Dripping Springs. Most acreage out here is not in the city limits and falls under Hays County instead, which is a different office and a different timeline. We establish which one you are in before quoting.
Two things specific to acreage here. If you are on septic, we locate the field before setting any footing, because a pier through a lateral line is an expensive mistake and not a repairable one. And on the wildland edge, non-combustible cladding and metal roofing are worth the premium, which is part of why we install so much standing-seam out this way.
Dripping Springs neighborhoods & areas we serve
We build across Belterra, Caliterra, Headwaters, Sawyer Ranch, Driftwood, Wimberley, and the rural acreage across Hays County. If you're west of 1826 or south of 290, we're there.
Ranch fence, big pavilion, or full outdoor living? These are some of our favorite Dripping Springs projects. Call us early so we can plan around grade, water, and how the space is going to be used.
Design my projectWhy Dripping Springs homeowners pick JB
- We work on acreage. Long fence runs, off-grid setups, larger structures: that's normal Dripping Springs work for us.
- Built for the Hill Country. Limestone footings, wind loads, and the right material for the climate.
- Call or text anytime. John calls back every lead the day they reach out.
- Daily progress photos by text. Especially helpful when you're not on-site every day.
- 5.0 stars on Google. Read the reviews from Hill Country neighbors.
Ready for a free quote in Dripping Springs? Call (512) 587-3914 or design your project online.
Get my free Dripping Springs quoteDripping Springs questions, answered
Who builds fences and pergolas in Dripping Springs, TX?
JB Contracting ATX builds split-rail and ranch fences, cedar pergolas, pavilions and decks across Dripping Springs, including Belterra, Caliterra, Headwaters, Sawyer Ranch and Driftwood. We are family owned, licensed and insured, and rated 5.0 on Google. Owner John Bernard walks every estimate himself, and we build for acreage and Hill Country limestone.
How much does a fence cost in Dripping Springs?
A cedar privacy fence in Dripping Springs typically runs $32 to $55 per linear foot installed, and split-rail or ranch fencing runs $18 to $34. Acreage changes the maths, because long runs get cheaper per foot on material and more expensive on access and gates. We price gates separately since that is where cheap fences fail first.
Do I need a permit to build in Dripping Springs?
It depends which side of the line you are on. Inside the city limits, permits go through the City of Dripping Springs. Most acreage out here is unincorporated and falls under Hays County instead. We establish which applies to your address before quoting, because getting it wrong turns a three week job into a three month one.
Does the dark sky ordinance affect patio and pergola lighting?
Yes. Dripping Springs was the first International Dark Sky Community in Texas, and outdoor lighting has to be shielded and directed downward rather than spilling sideways or upward. We spec compliant fixtures at the design stage. In practice downward-shielded lighting under a finished ceiling looks better than uplighting anyway.
Can you build on a property with a septic system?
Yes, and the first thing we do is locate the drain field. A footing or pier driven through a lateral line is an expensive mistake and not a repairable one, so the structure gets laid out around the field rather than the other way round. This is routine on Dripping Springs acreage and it is part of the site walk, not an extra.
What roof is best for a Hill Country property?
Standing-seam metal, in most cases out here. It reflects a great deal of heat on lots without much canopy, it lasts far longer than shingle, and it is non-combustible, which matters genuinely on the wildland edge. It costs more up front. Architectural shingle is still a perfectly good roof and runs $11,000 to $18,000 against $25,000 to $45,000 for metal.
Do you build split-rail and ranch fences for Dripping Springs acreage?
Yes. Split-rail, three-rail cedar, and pipe-and-cable ranch fences are some of our most common Dripping Springs projects. We work on acreage, handle long-run installations, and build for the rocky terrain that defines the Hill Country.
Do you build large pavilions and outdoor kitchens?
Yes. Larger pavilion-style structures with stone fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, and full electrical are common Dripping Springs builds. We design and construct the full outdoor living space, including hardscape, electrical, and plumbing rough-in.
Do you serve Belterra, Caliterra, and Headwaters?
Yes. We work across all of Dripping Springs and the surrounding Hays County area, including Belterra, Caliterra, Headwaters, Driftwood, Wimberley, and the rural acreage west of town.