Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Fort Worth, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Fence Contractor in Fort Worth?

Generally, contractors must register with the Fort Worth Department of Development Services (DDS) before handling any project requiring a permit. This applies to fencing contractors. Failure to comply with this registration requirement is unlawful and may attract penalties against the erring contractor, including fines as high as $2,000. Note that in addition to city-level registration, fencing contractors who intend to erect electric fences must hold a valid State of Texas electrical contractor's license or State of Texas electrical sign contractor's license.

Interested persons can register as contractors by submitting a filled-out contractor application form to the DDS. The completed form must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's valid driver's license and any of the following documents, where applicable:

• A state contractor license
• An insurance certificate
• A bond certificate.

Applicants can make this submission in person, by service request, or by mailing it to:

Residents can make further inquiries on contractor registration and licensing or confirm a contractor's registration status by contacting the DDS at (817) 392-2222.

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

On average, fencing projects in Fort Worth cost between $2,500 and $3,000. However, before signing off on your fencing project, comparing estimates from at least three contractors is crucial. Comparing estimates can help determine the project's average cost at the time, develop a sufficient budget, and know the materials necessary for the project. It also helps to avoid fraudulent contractors, especially those who overcharge.

Note that a fencing project depends on several factors that can influence average estimates. Such factors include your reasons for erecting a fence, the materials to be used during the project, and the labor necessary for the project. Generally, some of the reasons Fort Worth residents install fences include the following:

• Security purposes
• Privacy
• Property boundaries
• Decoration and beauty
• To keep pets and children from getting out.

Similarly, certain fencing materials are more popular amongst residents in the Fort Worth area. Though these materials have varying costs, they include:

• Wood: Wood fences are largely popular because of their appealing designs and relatively cheap cost of around $5 - $12 per foot. However, they typically require constant maintenance and are prone to faster deterioration, cracking, sagging, and termite infection.
• Vinyl: Unlike wood fences, vinyl fences are on the high side, costing around $20 - $25 per foot. However, they require low maintenance and are quicker to install.
• Wrought Iron: Wrought iron is considered the most expensive fencing material, costing anywhere between $35 - $95 per foot. Despite their cost, wrought iron is ideal if you need a durable, low-maintenance, eco-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing fence.
• Steel fences are also relatively cheap, costing between $5 and $20 per foot. However, they have the added advantage of durability, termite resistance, and a modern appeal. Although popular in the Fort Worth area, the significant drawbacks of steel fencing are the tendency to rust if not galvanized properly and the lack of versatility.
• Aluminum: Aluminum fences are known for their light weight and durability, and they cost anywhere between $15 - $50 per foot. Aluminum is also tensile and can be designed to taste. Nonetheless, they take longer to install and are weaker than steel and wrought iron fences. Therefore, aluminum fences are not best for security.
• Chain Link: Chain link fences are characterized by woven mesh, usually made of steel or aluminum. They are best for security and visibility and cost between $9 and $15 per linear foot. However, they are susceptible to rust and do not guarantee privacy.

Another factor that may influence the cost of a fencing project is your desired fence design or style. Certain designs require specific materials and take longer to create, adding to labor costs. Nonetheless, some popular fencing designs include:

• Garden Fence: As the name implies, these are fences that encompass a garden. They are usually low, define the garden's boundaries, and keep animals and pests from getting in.
• Gothic Fence: This fence design is characterized by an array of pointed tops and is mostly made from steel, aluminum, or wrought iron. Accordingly, gothic fences have outstanding aesthetic appeal and are known for their durability.
• Picket Fence: Picket fence designs consist of custom-spaced-out vertical planks attached to a horizontal plank anchor. Picket fences are usually under four feet tall, made from wood, and for decorative purposes.
• Lattice Top Fence: In this style, the top part of a fence is designed using lattice patterns. Lattice top fences are usually tall and made from wood.
• Split Rail Fence: This fence design involves rooting vertical logs to hold and connect a series of horizontal logs. Although this design is mostly achieved using wood material, the design also works well using other materials like steel. Split rail fences are effective for enclosing large properties.
• Shadow-Box Fence: This is like a taller and more private version of a picket fence. This fence style is two-sided, with the first side consisting of a series of spaced vertical planks held together by two or more horizontal planks. The second side has the same structure but is placed against the first side to block the spaces between the vertical planks. Most shadow-box fences are made from wood.
• Electric Fence: These are fences usually made with metal material and imbued with electricity to fend off prospective intruders.
• Flat-Top Fence: This style consists of making the top of a fence flat. Also, this style is not material-specific.
• Dog Ear Fence: This is also a variation of picket fences, and this style involves trimming each edge of a fence's vertical plank to give the semblance of a folded book edge. This style is popular with fences made from wood.
• Scallop Fence: This design is characterized by a curved fence top. The curvature can be upward or downward, but the starting and end points of the curvature usually remain at the same horizontal level. The scallop fence style is mainly used on fences made from wood, although it is achievable on fences from other materials like steel and aluminum.
• Custom Fence: Custom fences are simply fences made to specification. They are fences designed to cater to your unique needs, styles, and utility. The success of a custom fence would depend on the local ordinance of your area, its topography, and the skillset of your contractor, among other things. Note that a custom fence may cost more than other fence styles and may require additional considerations, such as ease of maintenance and repair.

On average, fence erectors in the Fort Worth area earn over $37,000 annually. The list below 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?

Considering the variety of styling, material, and utility options related to erecting a fence, it is crucial to confirm the specialty of your intended contractor and whether they can perform your desired service. Major services offered by fence contractors in Fort Worth include:

• Fence installation
• Fence maintenance, repair, or upgrade
• Fence design
• Fence gate installation
• Fence replacement

Besides confirming the specialty of your contractor, you should also confirm that they have the necessary experience and skill to install the fence of your choice. You can do this by requesting for customer references and evidence of previous work.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Fort Worth?

When planning a fencing project, an important consideration is the requirements of local ordinances or state laws and how they may impact the project. Several laws regulate fencing projects in Fort Worth, including:

• The Fort Worth Building Administrative Code
• Section 5.305 of the Fort Worth Code of Ordinance
• The Fort Worth Swimming Pool and Spa Code
• The Fort Worth Residential Code

These laws provide different requirements applicable to fencing projects, some of which apply to all fencing projects. Some of the significant requirements include:

• Homeowners in one or two-family dwellings must not erect a fence within the minimum required, projected, or platted front yard, except:
  • The fence does not exceed four feet in height, has a maximum density of 50%, and is made from picket, wrought iron, steel, or any material that is see-through
  • The homeowner is specifically allowed by the Fort Worth Board of Adjustment to build a solid fence in the exempted yard, which must not exceed four feet in height.
• Chain link fences are not allowed in front yards and projected front yards.
• Fences higher than eight feet and enclosing residential property are not allowed behind a building's front setback line.
• The replacement of any portion of a fence must be done with the same material.
• Residential and outdoor swimming pools and spas must be enclosed with a fence or any other barrier.
• Screening fences must be made from brick, wood, stone, or concrete products.
• Permits are required for erecting fences above seven feet. However, some eight-foot-tall fences do not require permits if they are open-wire fences without slats and are not barrier fences.
• Homeowners must maintain their fences, and a fence must not be vertically misaligned by more than 18 degrees, except it is designed that way.

These laws also stipulate standards, height, and contractor specifications for certain fence materials, which homeowners must comply with. This underscores the need for a competent contractor conversant with relevant fencing laws. This way, your project would be in line with local requirements, and you can avoid administrative troubles. Residents can contact the Communications Department of the DDS at (817) 392-7824 if they need further information or want to report fencing violations.

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

In Fort Worth, permits are required before installing a fence exceeding seven feet in height. An exception to this requirement is open fences with a maximum height of eight feet. Failure to obtain a permit where required is unlawful and may result in fines of up to $2,000 and other penalties against the homeowner. Note that only registered contractors are eligible to obtain a permit.

The Fort Worth Department of Development Services (DDS) receives permit applications and issues permits to successful applicants. Permits are categorized into residential and commercial permits. Residential permits cover works on one or two-family detached homes or their accessory structures. On the other hand, commercial permits cover works on multifamily projects. However, the application processes for both permit types are similar.

To apply for the relevant permit, an applicant must obtain a residential building permit application form or commercial building (accessory) permit application form and submit the completed form to the DDS at:

The following documents must accompany the completed form:

• A certified copy of the property's survey plan
• A complete set of plans
• Site plan.

Note that an application fee is usually required to process permit applications.

Alternatively, applicants can apply online through the Fort Worth permitting portal. They can also upload the necessary documents and pay the required fees through this portal. However, applicants can only use this portal after registering a user account or logging in with a registered account.

It should be noted that after completing a fencing project, you must schedule an inspection with city officials. Inspections are done to confirm that the project complies with local ordinances and requirements. Failure to ensure an inspection may result in administrative penalties from the DDS, including an order to take down the fence if it violates standard requirements. You can request an inspection through the online permitting portal or by calling the Interactive Voice Permits line at (817) 392-6370. Further inquiries on permitting processes, requirements, and inspections can be made by contacting the DDS at (817) 392-2222. Similarly, you can browse through the Fort Worth Building Inspections page for more information on scheduling inspections.

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

Like most home improvement or remodeling projects, fence building happens in phases. These phases, which typically begin with getting estimates for the project and end in completion, include:

• Determining the design, length and height of the proposed fence
• Notifying neighbors
• Hiring a contractor
• Marking utility lines
• Getting the relevant permits
• Setting the fence posts and commencing the fence installation.

A crucial consideration during fencing projects is determining land boundaries. This helps ensure you do not encroach on your neighbor's property because such encroachment can lead to legal troubles. Survey plans can determine land boundaries, which competent contractors usually request from project owners before commencing any fencing project.

Similarly, it is necessary to discover and mark utility lines around your home before digging or setting fence posts. This is particularly necessary, as some utility lines are underground and unmarked. Failure to do this may lead to the unintentional destruction of such lines, which can result in severe injuries and disruption of essential services to your home or neighborhood. Fencing contractors usually assist with this by contacting the relevant utility companies. However, ensure to confirm this from your contractor before commencing your project. Alternatively, you can locate these utility lines yourself by calling 811 or (800) 344-8377 for the necessary processes, requirements, or assistance. For more inquiries on utility lines and how they may relate to fencing projects, interested persons can contact the following city departments:

• The Fort Worth Department of Transportation and Public Works at (817)-392-1234 or by email
• The Fort Worth Water Department at (817) 392-4477.

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

In Fort Worth, fencing contractors are not required to maintain insurance policies or fulfill bond requirements. Nonetheless, homeowners are advised to hire only insured contractors. This is largely because fencing projects can easily go wrong, and injuries are not uncommon. In 2019, over 100 construction-related fatalities and many more injuries were recorded across Texas. Depending on the circumstances, a homeowner may be liable for injuries or destruction caused by their fencing project. This possibility underscores the need for hiring only insured contractors.

Also, homeowners are advised to look for contractors with valid general liability and workers' compensation insurance policies. These policies cover third-party injuries, occupational injuries, and property damage, saving you from personal expenses when handling such injuries or damages resulting from your fencing project. You can confirm your contractor's insurance status by asking for proof of insurance and verifying with the relevant insurance provider.