Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Houston, TX

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

Although residential fencing in Houston requires a permit from the city, fence contractors are not required to be licensed. However, it is vital to ensure that the fencing company you contract for your fencing project is, at the very least, a sole proprietorship, partnership, or LLC registered with the County Clerk Office or incorporated by the Texas Secretary of State. An official business name demonstrates the contractor's legitimacy and your ability to rely on them to deliver services of a high caliber.

Make sure your fencing contractor has the fundamental credentials needed for any contractor. These prerequisites include:

• Being 18 years of age or older
• Having a diploma from high school or its equivalent
• Being legally able to work in the U.S.
• Having a solid work history in construction or sufficient knowledge of what the job requires

For more information about business registration for fencing companies in Houston, contact the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity at (832) 393-0600.

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

Houston residents hire fence installers to erect new fences on their properties for a variety of reasons. These include:

• For adornment and style
• To increase their level of seclusion and prevent snoopers
• To make their gardens more appealing
• To make their home more secure and safe in order to prevent bad people like burglars
• To protect their pool areas from trespassers and cover them
• To stop children and animals from exiting the property, as well as to keep rats and other pests out

In Houston, the cost to install a new fence on your property can range between $2,268.00 and $2,844.00, but the actual cost will depend on a number of variables, with the type of fencing you select being the most crucial. Owners of homes and other properties in Houston most typically use the following materials for fencing:

• Chain Link: Although not the most stylish type of fencing, chain link fences are known for their security and can cost between $10.07 and $13.74 per linear foot. Although these fences can be used in backyards, they are prone to corrosion.
• Wood: Due to the privacy they offer, wood fences are popular and cost $12.82 to $15.57 per linear foot. Although this type of fencing is versatile and beautiful, it only lasts for five to ten years before needing maintenance.
• Composite: Composite fences have more color options than wood fences and require little to no maintenance. They look similar to wood fences. However, a significant disadvantage is that it costs between $15.50 and $20.06 per linear foot.
• Wrought Iron: Wrought iron fences are the most aesthetically pleasing type, with many design styles. They are also known to be durable and powerful. However, these fences can be expensive to install, costing between $20.15 and $25.64 per linear foot. Wrought iron fences also need a lot of maintenance and are easily dented and rusted.
• Vinyl: Vinyl fencing costs between $15.57 and $21.06 for a linear foot. These fences are easy to install, long-lasting, low maintenance, and good for the environment. They might not be the ideal choice for security and can be damaged by bad weather.
• Aluminum: Fences made of aluminum are durable, rust- and corrosion-resistant, and low maintenance. Although these fences provide homes and other buildings with a more modern appearance, they can be costly to construct and are not the best choice for protection and privacy. They may cost anything from $20.15 and $25.64 per linear foot.

Additional elements that could affect fence installation costs in Houston include:

• Length of the fence
• Labor costs
• Supplies and equipment for fencing.

It is typically a great idea to request and compare pricing from several fencing companies in the city when seeking a qualified fence builder for your job. This gives you a fair idea of the market pricing for your chosen project, preventing you from being deceived by a dishonest fence contractor or company. When comparing these costs, watch out for estimates that stand out from the others and heed caution if the contractor cannot satisfactorily explain the price difference. The following fence designs and styles are popular among homeowners in Houston:

• Picket Fence: Picket fences are a very popular style of fence that is regularly used as aesthetically pleasing house boundaries. They can be identified by their vertical boards, which are consistently spaced and frequently have pointed tops. Picket fences are typically modest-sized fences. However, larger modifications of this design can be built to provide some protection, such as rat and medium-sized pest exclusion.
• Flat-Top Fence: As the name suggests, this simple fence design has a flat top. It can be made of metal or wood.
• Gothic Fence: The fence in this design is pierced at numerous spots. Wrought iron and aluminum are typically used in this form of metal fencing. Mansions typically have this finely crafted fence.
• Lattice Top Fence: In this design, a standard fence is given a lattice top to provide some decorative flair. It can be made of metal, vinyl, or wood.
• Split Rail Fence: Rather than the more typical vertical installation technique, this design uses a horizontal one. Split rail fences frequently require less fencing material than other fence types and are popular in farms and ranches.
• Garden Fence: Known to keep out small animals and for aesthetic purposes, low fences, referred to as "garden fences," are frequently built around gardens. They can be crafted from wire or wood in a variety of shapes.
• Scallop Fence: The top of the scallop fence type rises somewhat curvedly from one end to the other, in contrast to the typical picket fence's straight horizontal top. It is typically made of wood and composite materials.
• Shadow-Box Fence: For this design, wood fencing material must be alternatively fastened to each side of the fence structure.
• Electric Fence: Electric fences employ metal materials and wire mesh to construct a barrier that deters entry by shocking people and animals with electricity.
• Dog-Ear Fence: The top ends of the hardwood fence planks on either edge are shaved off to produce a hexagonal end for this type of fence. Wood and composite are the most common fence materials for this category. They are reasonably priced, simple to build, and attractive.
• Custom Fence: As the name implies, custom fences are constructed specifically for a particular terrain and can be modified to meet your tastes. Although wood and metal are the most common materials for bespoke fences, you can use any material of your choice to construct these fences. However, it should be kept in mind that installing alternative types and designs of fences typically costs less money than building custom fences.

Fence installers in Houston make an average of $51,710 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?

While searching for certified fence companies in Houston, it is crucial to learn what kinds of fencing services your potential fence contractors are prepared to offer and confirm that these services meet your specific needs. Many different services, including the following, are routinely offered by qualified fence contractors in the city:

• Building and designing unique and customized fences
• Fence upkeep and repair
• Gate installations for fence
• Installations of new fences
• Upgrading or replacement of an aged fence

The contractor may also provide additional services, such as guidance on fence design and installation, utility line and property boundary marking, and procurement of all required permits for the job, depending on your agreement with them. Therefore, it is usually in your best interest to confirm the particular services they offer and agree on the extent of those services before entering into any contract with your preferred fence contractor. You can avoid disputes and poor service performance by doing this.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Houston?

Before beginning, it is typically a good idea to find out if there are any state or municipal regulations that could influence or constrain the nature and scope of your Houston fence project. Fencing laws in Houston are covered in Article I of Chapter 28 of the city's Code of Ordinances and include the following:

• With the exception of brick or concrete fences and fences in flood-prone locations, fences under 8 inches in height are exempt from requiring a permit.
• The required permit paperwork includes a fully completed construction permit application, a notarized deed restriction affidavit, two complete sets of designs, and a cost estimate. If appropriate, approval of the floodplain plan is needed.
• Every common residential fence material is acceptable, including wood, PVC vinyl, composite, metal decorative, and chain link.
• The entire fence must be on the owner's land. Setbacks from every lot must be followed.
• A complete inspection is necessary if a permit is needed.
• Electrified fences, razor wire, and barbed wire are not allowed.
• In utility easements, fence construction may be restricted or outlawed.
• There are unique regulations for homes in floodplain areas.

For single-family, multi-family, and commercial purposes, keep in mind that the front, side, and rear yard fences have specified height restrictions. It is generally advisable to build any fence in accordance with neighborhood norms. To avoid breaking the Texas Neighbor Laws, which address disputes that could develop between neighbors over matters like fencing, it is also crucial to understand them.

Hiring a professional fence company for your fencing projects has a number of advantages, including the fact that they are usually knowledgeable about important fencing regulations and can help verify that your erected fence conforms with them. However, the Houston Planning and Development Department may provide you with further details on relevant fence codes and laws in Houston by calling (832) 393-6600.

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

In Houston, to carry out any new fence installation or replacement extending higher than 8 feet above grade, you must first obtain a Residential Fencing permit. The Houston Permitting Center is in charge of issuing fencing permits in the city. Regardless of height above grade, fences made entirely or partially of masonry or concrete need a permit.

To apply for this permit, a homeowner or contractor will need to provide the following:

• Building Permit Application
• Complete Set of Site Plans Uploaded and fence design drawing
• Declaration In Support of Application For City of Houston Building Permit

Plan reviews and inspections are required for every fencing permit, but renewal is not necessary. The applicant will receive an email with instructions on uploading and submitting plans once their application has been approved and the plan review charge has been paid. Note that the Houston Permitting Center collects an admin fee of $30.51 for this permit. Inspections can be scheduled online or by phone at (713) 222-9922. The Residential Fencing permit takes ten days to process and has a validity period of six months.

For more information on permits for fencing in Houston, please contact the Houston Permitting Center at:

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

The main benefit of hiring a professional fence company to install your fence is that they will accurately locate and designate any utility lines on your property, especially any concealed or unmarked gas, water, or power lines. This is important since damaging any of these lines while working on your project could cause tragic accidents and stop the flow of vital services to your house. Fence installations carried out by professional fence companies usually involve the following steps:

• Estimating the Length of the Fence: Here, an estimator measures the planned fence's length and confirms information such as its design, construction material, placement relative to the property line, and any easements you may have granted.
• Marking the Utility Lines: The fence company requests the city's utility marking service to come to your home and mark your yard to avoid them when they dig.
• Getting a Fence Permit: The contractor in charge of your fencing project gets the necessary permits. You may also pull the permit, although it is better if the contractor does it.
• Digging the Post Hole and Setting the Post Brackets: The diggers may utilize a hand-held post-hole digger for small operations. However, for larger operations, they use a motorized post-hole digger in the auger design. The holes are also filled with galvanized post brackets, which are then straightened until they are absolutely upright.
• Building the Fence: The fence is built as planned.
• Finishing and Cleanup: During this phase, the fencing company collects all construction-related trash. You can now assess the fence and determine if you like it.

Although locating utility lines is a service many fence companies offer, you should never assume that your fence contractor is aware of this. Make it a point to always confirm with them before signing any contracts; many professional fence contractors in Houston may also request a copy of your survey records when generating project designs for obtaining the required fence permits to help validate precisely where these utility lines are put on your project.

You can also look up these utility lines on your own by calling 811 or going online. Doing this before digging on your property is always a good idea to prevent damaging any of these lines. If you have inquiries concerning the utility lines in Houston, you can get in touch with the nearby utility companies listed below:

• Centerpoint Energy - (713) 659-2111
• City of Houston Water - (713) 371-1400

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

Working with contractors who are insured is essential. In Texas, there were 608 fatal workplace accidents in 2019, and you might be held liable if one of those accidents involves an uninsured contractor working for you. Any property damage caused by an uninsured contractor will also be your expense.

Make it a point to ensure that your fence contractor has sufficient insurance coverage that will protect you from financial liability; if they have employees, make sure they are all covered by worker's compensation insurance. Ensure the contractor also carries general liability insurance, which will pay for any accidents or damage to other parties' property that may be directly caused by your project.

Always verify the insurance and bonding of a fence contractor before engaging them, and do it with the appropriate authority. For more information about insurance for your fence contractor, contact the Texas Department of Insurance at (800) 578-4677.