📋 Before You Call Anyone
Know your permit requirement, setback rules, and HOA approval status before getting contractor bids. These factors affect project scope, timeline, and cost — and a contractor who bids before knowing your permit situation may give you an inaccurate quote.
Contractor License Requirements by State
Fence contractor licensing requirements vary significantly by state. Some states require a general contractor's license for any fence over a certain value; others have specific fence contractor license categories; some have no state license requirement at all.
| State | License Requirement | How to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| California | C-13 (fencing) or B (general) license required for jobs over $500 | cslb.ca.gov — license search |
| Florida | Certified or registered contractor required | myfloridalicense.com |
| Texas | No statewide fence contractor license (city licenses may apply) | Check with your specific city |
| New York | Home improvement contractor license required in NYC; varies by county elsewhere | nyc.gov/consumers (NYC) |
| Illinois | No statewide requirement; Chicago requires city registration | City of Chicago license lookup |
| Georgia | State contractor license for jobs over $2,500 | sos.ga.gov — contractor search |
| North Carolina | General contractor license for jobs over $30,000; below that, city rules vary | nclbgc.org |
| Ohio | No statewide fence license; some cities require contractor registration | Check with your city |
| Washington | Contractor registration required for any job over $500 | lni.wa.gov — contractor lookup |
| Arizona | ROC license required for jobs over $1,000 | roc.az.gov — license search |
| Colorado | No statewide license; some municipalities require registration | Check with your city/county |
| Pennsylvania | Home improvement contractor registration required statewide | attorneygeneral.gov — HICPA lookup |
The Right Way to Get 3 Bids
Getting three bids is standard advice, but most homeowners do it wrong — they call three contractors and compare the bottom line. What you actually need to compare is whether the bids cover the same scope of work.
- Prepare a written project specification before calling anyone Write down: total linear footage, fence height, material type, post spacing, number of gates, gate type (single/double/driveway), whether old fence removal is needed, and your permit situation. Give every contractor the exact same written spec.
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Ask the same 6 questions of every contractor:
- Is the permit fee included in your bid, and who pulls it?
- What is your post depth and will you set posts in concrete?
- What is your payment schedule? (Red flag: asking for more than 30% upfront)
- Do you have workers' comp and general liability insurance? (Ask for a certificate)
- What is your warranty on labor? On materials?
- Who do I contact if there's a post-inspection repair needed?
- Verify license and insurance before signing anything Look up the contractor's license number on your state's contractor lookup portal (see table above). Ask for a certificate of insurance naming you as the certificate holder — this confirms active coverage, not just claimed coverage.
- Check references from jobs in the last 12 months Old references don't tell you about current crew quality. Ask for 2–3 jobs completed in the last year, preferably in your neighborhood so you can drive by and inspect the work.
Contract Terms You Must Have in Writing
Never accept a verbal agreement or a single-page quote as your contract. Every fence contract should include:
- Total price broken into materials, labor, and permit fee line items
- Payment schedule — never more than 1/3 upfront; final payment only after passing inspection
- Project start date and estimated completion date
- Exact fence specifications: height, material (species/grade for wood), post spacing, post depth, concrete type
- Gate specifications: number, size, hardware type, and which direction they swing
- Who pulls the permit and in whose name
- Who is responsible for calling 811 (Call Before You Dig) — required by law
- Who is responsible for locating property lines before installation
- Warranty on labor (minimum 1 year) and materials (manufacturer warranty pass-through)
- What happens if posts hit rock or buried debris (extra charge? who decides?)
- Cleanup and debris removal — is it included?
- Change order procedure — any scope change must be in writing with price agreed before work begins
Red Flags to Avoid
| Red Flag | Why It's a Problem |
|---|---|
| Asking for 50%+ upfront payment | Standard is 10–30% upfront. Large upfront demands suggest cash flow problems or intent to disappear. |
| No written contract — "just a handshake" | Unenforceable in most states for jobs over $500–$1,000. Walk away. |
| "We'll handle the permit, don't worry about it" | Get this in writing. If no permit is pulled and the fence fails inspection, you own the problem. |
| Unusually low bid — 30%+ below the other two | Usually means inferior materials, insufficient post depth, or unlicensed/uninsured crew. The cheap fence always costs more long-term. |
| Cannot provide a license number or insurance certificate | In states with license requirements, this is illegal. In all states, it means you have no recourse if something goes wrong. |
| Pressure to decide today / limited-time offer | Legitimate fence contractors don't use high-pressure sales tactics. Reputable companies have enough work without manufactured urgency. |
| Refuses to provide references from recent jobs | A contractor who can't provide 2–3 references from the last year has something to hide about recent work quality. |
Who Should Pull the Permit — You or the Contractor?
This is one of the most important questions to resolve before signing. Options:
- Homeowner pulls permit: You fill out the application, pay the fee, and take responsibility for code compliance. Saves the contractor's markup ($50–$150 in most areas). Best for simple DIY-style projects or when you want direct control.
- Contractor pulls permit: The contractor is listed as the permit applicant and is legally responsible for code compliance. They may charge $50–$150 on top of the permit fee. This is standard for professional installations and creates clearer accountability.
- Contractor pulls under owner's name: Some jurisdictions allow this; others require the contractor to be licensed and listed. Confirm with your building department what's allowed in your jurisdiction.
Whatever arrangement you choose, confirm it is in writing in the contract and that the permit number is provided to you before work begins.
Free: Fence Permit Application Checklist
Includes a contractor verification checklist and the 6 questions to ask every contractor.
⬇ Download Free PDFFrequently Asked Questions
For residential fences, fence-only specialists (companies that exclusively install fences) almost always produce better results than general contractors who do fences as a sideline. Fence specialists have dedicated crews, specialized equipment (post-hole augers, panel jigs), established supplier relationships, and deep familiarity with local permit requirements. General contractors typically subcontract fence work anyway — so you pay the markup without the direct accountability. Use a fence specialist.
Industry standard is 10–30% of the total contract value upfront, with the balance paid at substantial completion (after passing final inspection). A 50% deposit is a yellow flag; anything over 50% upfront is a red flag. The final payment — even if it's just 10% — should never be released until you have personally inspected the completed fence and the permit's final inspection has passed.