Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Dallas, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Fence Contractor in Dallas?

Fencing contractors in Dallas are required to register with the Dallas Building Inspection Office as general contractors before bidding or offering services in the city. Fencing contractors offering services without a valid registration are committing an offense and could be fined up to $2,000. In addition, per Chapter 54 of the Texas Local Government Code, Dallas can file a civil action against the fencing contractor for violating the city's regulations to recover a civil penalty of $1,000 or less for each day of violation.

Fencing contractors interested in becoming general contractors in Dallas can download, fill out, and submit an application for a contractor registration form at:

The applicant must provide adequate information to ensure that their registration is approved. Besides providing the necessary information, the applicant must also pay the applicable registration fee of $120. After meeting all the requirements, the applicants will be issued a certificate of registration. This certificate will be due for renewal one year after it is issued.

You can direct your queries regarding the registration requirements for fencing contractors in Dallas to the city's Building Inspection Office at (214) 948-4480. Before you hire a fencing contractor in Dallas, always confirm their registration status. You can check the status of your intended fence contractor by downloading the city's registered contractor list maintained and provided by the Dallas Building Inspection Office. Alternatively, you can contact the city's Building Inspection Office at (214) 948-4480 to confirm the registration status of your preferred fencing contractor.

Since fence contractors in Austin do not typically require city or state-issued licenses to operate, it is crucial to look for other credentials when choosing a company for your project. One of the most common requirements that a professional fence contractor in the city has is membership or certification with a trade association like the Texas Fence Association and the Dallas Builders Association.

These organizations have high professional standards and can provide their members with better resources and experience. These contractors are also more likely to perform their duties professionally and efficiently. If your fencing contractor claims to belong to any of these organizations, ensure that you ask for relevant proof, and you can authenticate this proof by contacting the relevant trade association.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Fencing Companies in the City?

The cost of installing a fence in Dallas can range from $1,000 to $3,000. However, the exact cost will depend on various factors such as:

• The length and height of the fence
• The fencing material
• Types of hardware to be used like gates, latches, and hinges
• Labor costs

Meanwhile, homeowners in Dallas typically build fences for various reasons, such as:

• To boost curb appeal and increase property value
• To enhance safety and security
• For privacy
• To contain children and pets
• To define property lines

Before you start a fence project, it is essential that you consider the type of material that will be used. Some of the common materials used by Dallas homeowners include:

• Wood: One of the most common types of fencing materials is wood. This material is versatile and has aesthetic appeal. However, it requires regular maintenance and is susceptible to pests. It costs around $13 - $16 per linear foot.
• Composite: A type of fence made from composite materials which are eco-friendly and low-maintenance. Composite fences are typically more expensive than other types of fencing. They typically cost around $15 to $35 per linear foot.
• Aluminum: Although aluminum is a durable and low-maintenance material, it can be expensive due to its tendency to get damaged. Aluminum fences typically cost $20 - $26 per linear foot.
• Wrought Iron: Highly durable and long-lasting, wrought iron fences are known for their aesthetic value and strong construction. However, these fences cost around $20 - $26 per linear foot, which makes them expensive. If you want a custom fence, you can use pieces of the existing wrought fences.
• Steel: Steel fences are generally less expensive than their counterparts but less secure and durable. These fences typically cost around $25 to $40 per linear foot.
• Chain Link: Chain link fences are an economical and low-maintenance type of fencing. However, they are less secure and do not have the resale value other types of fence have. These fences typically cost around $10 - $14 per linear foot.
• Vinyl: It is a durable and low-maintenance type of fencing. They typically cost around $16 - $21 per linear foot.

When planning to hire a fence contractor, it's important that you get and compare the rates and quotes of different fencing companies and contractors in the city to ensure that you are getting the best possible rates. Doing so will allow you to avoid being ripped off by a dishonest contractor. In addition, make sure that they have the necessary skills and experience to install your desired fence style.

Some of the common styles of fence that are commonly seen in Dallas include:

• Picket Fence: A type of fence known as a picket fence is constructed using either wood or vinyl. This type of fence features a design that involves separating its vertical posts and planks at regular intervals. Usually, these fences are shorter and are only installed for aesthetic reasons.
• Scallop Fence: This type of fence is commonly seen as a variation of the traditional picket fence. It features a design that allows the fence to rise from one end to another.
• Dog-Ear Fence: This type of fence is typically constructed using either composite or wood. The design of this fence involves angling the vertical boards on the side.
• Lattice-Top Fence: This type of fence features a design that involves adding a lattice top to the regular fence to give it a more decorative look.
• Flat-top Fence: It features a design that leaves a flat-top top on the fence.
• Garden Fence: A garden fence is a type of low fence usually placed around gardens to keep out small animals or enhance the property's appearance.
• Gothic Fence: This design involves adding a series of points to the top of a fence and is mainly done on metal fences
• Split-Rail Fence: This type of fence is commonly used on large properties and farms because it uses less material. This type of fence is also commonly installed in a horizontal style.
• Shadow-Box Fence: This type of fence is usually constructed using wood. It features a design that involves attaching the fence's material to the side of its frame in an alternate fashion.
• Electric Fence: This type of fence uses metal fencing and wire mesh components to create a barrier that prevents people and animals from accessing certain areas through electric shocks.
• Custom Fences: A customized fence is a type of fence built and installed to the property's exact specifications or landscape. It can be customized to meet the needs of the individual property owner.

Fence contractors in Dallas make an average of $37,640 annually. The following list compares the average hourly pay of these contractors with that of fence contractors in other locations across Texas and the rest of the United States:

What Kind of Fencing Services Do You Offer?

When hiring a fence contractor in Dallas, it is important that you thoroughly confirm the various services that they can provide. This can help you identify if their type of fencing services are ideal for your needs. There is a wide range of fencing services that professional fencing contractors in the city can offer:

• Fence maintenance and repair
• Custom fence design and building
• Fence gate installations
• New fence installations
• Old fence replacements or upgrades

The fence builder can also provide consultation, design and installation, utility line marking, and property boundary and boundary marking. Confirming the scope of your preferred fencing contractor's services before signing any contract with them is essential. This will help you avoid disputes and ensure the services are timely.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Dallas?

Before you start working on a fence project, it is important to determine if the scope and nature of the project will be affected by local or state laws. Sometimes, these laws may require you to construct a fence when working on a home remodeling project. Hiring the services of a professional fence company can help you avoid violating any relevant regulations that are related to the project.

Some key codes and ordinances that affect fencing projects in Dallas include:

• The Dallas Building Code
• The Dallas Residential Code
• The Dallas Development Code: Ordinance No. 19455

Key provisions of these laws include:

• Maximum mesh size for chain link fences must be 2 1/4 inches (57 mm) unless the fence has slats fastened at the top or the bottom, which reduces the openings to not more than 1 3/4 inches (44 mm).
• Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members must not be more than 1 3/4 inches.
• You may not erect or maintain a fence in a required yard more than nine feet above grade. In all residential districts except multifamily districts, a fence may not exceed four feet above grade when located in the required front yard, except when the side or rear yard regulations govern the required front yard.
• Barbed wire may not be used for fencing unless it is located six feet or above grade and does not project beyond your property line.
• A fence may not be located within an easement without prior written approval by the agencies having an interest in the easement.
• All fences must provide fire-fighting access to the side and rear yard.
• A fence in a multifamily district may not go above four feet when located in the required front yard, except when the side or rear yard regulations govern the required front yard.

To get more information about the local laws and ordinances that apply to your fencing projects, contact the city's Building Inspection Office at (214) 948-4480. Note that violating these laws may attract a fine of up to $2,000. You can submit complaints or reports about violations of these laws by contacting the Dallas Building Inspection Office at the phone number provided above.

Will You Get the Necessary Permits as Required as per the City Code?

A fence permit is required in Dallas to build a wall or fence over four feet tall in the front yard setback or over six feet high if located anywhere else on a property. Every homeowner is responsible for ensuring that their hired fencing contractor obtains a permit before work commences on their property. Building officials may issue a stop-work order and payment of the initial permit fee if work commences without a permit.

The Dallas Building Inspection Office issues building permits. Fencing contractors in Dallas can apply for a permit by completing an application via an online portal provided by the city's Building Inspection Office online application. However, before an applicant can start the process, they must create a user account and sign up. The applicants must then carry out the following:

• Select the specific trade they need the permit for
• Enter the site address and street inquiry box, and then click search.
• Select their address following the search result
• Fill out the necessary information
• Pay the permit fee using a credit card.

Alternatively, fencing contractors can fill out and submit a building permit application form and pay the applicable fee to the city's Building Inspection Office located at :

The applicants must also submit two copies of the site plan showing the locations of the fence or wall and all gates, including fire lanes and easements. In some regions of Dallas, such as the historic district, planned development district, and conservation district, fencing contractors need to meet specific requirements. To learn more about these special zoning regulations, call the city's Building Inspection Office at (844) 948-4480 or utilize the office's zoning maps to confirm if the project is located within any of these districts.

Aside from getting a permit, fencing contractors in Dallas are also required to schedule an inspection with the city's Building Inspection Office. This can be done when the project is in progress and upon completion. Fencing contractors can schedule an inspection online or call the city's automated Inspection Line at (214) 670-5313.

Will You Contact the City's Utility Companies to Verify the Path of Underground Lines?

Professional fence companies in Dallas carry out their fence installation process in six main steps:

• Fence length estimation
• Utility line marking
• Fence permit obtaining
• Post-hole digging and post-bracket setting
• Fence building
• Finishing and cleaning

Before starting the fence installation process, the most essential step to be carried out by a fence builder is to ensure that all utility lines are marked and adequately located. Doing so significantly lowers the likelihood of unexpected service disruptions and property damage that can occur due to the impact on any power, gas, or water lines that can be hit while your fence posts are being dug.

As such, before completing the hiring process of your preferred fence contractor, ensure they have thoroughly located and marked all the utility lines on the property. To complete this process, the fence contractor may request your survey record to assist them through the locating and marking process.

If you cannot access your records, contact the One Call Board of Texas at 811 or (800) 545-6005. This organization can help you locate and mark the underground utility lines on your property. However, per the Texas Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act, if you plan on digging underground with a utility line, you must notify a notification center not earlier than 14 days before the start of the excavation or not later than 48 hours before the work begins.

You can also contact the following agencies and companies that provide services to the utility industry to find out more about the locations of the underground utility lines on your property:

• Dallas Water Utilities - (214) 651-1441
• Texas Gas Services - (800) 959‑5325
• Oncor Electric Delivery - (888) 313-6862
• Atmos Energy - (512) 472-6950

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Fence Contractors in Dallas?

The data released by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2020 showed that over 69,000 non-fatal injuries and 976 fatal on-the-job injuries were recorded among construction-related workers. The Texas Department of Insurance also noted that 27 percent of all fatal workplace injuries that occurred in the state in 2020 were reported by construction workers.

To this end, before you hire a fence contractor in Dallas, it is essential that you confirm they are adequately insured. This will help protect you from liability should there be any record of bodily injuries or property damage among the fence builders and their workers while they are working on your project.

Although there are no specific insurance requirements for fence contractors in Dallas, it is still important that they carry adequate insurance coverage that will cover any risk. As such, before you hire a fence contractor, ensure they have the necessary insurance documents by requesting them to provide you with a copy of their insurance certificate. You should also contact the issuing insurance provider to authenticate the certificate and confirm if the insurance policy coverage is adequate.