Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Philadelphia, PA

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

Through its Permits and Licenses Center, the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (DLI) is responsible for licensing contractors and professionals who offer construction, demolition, or repair services in Philadelphia. Accordingly, individuals are prohibited from acting as contractors or engaging in construction, demolition, or repair services without a valid license issued by the DLI. Violating this rule is a class II offense that attracts civil and criminal penalties of up to $1,000 or 90 days imprisonment.

To obtain a contractor license in Philadelphia, interested persons must file a Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT) return, obtain a commercial activity license, provide a valid certificate of insurance, and identify a supervisor that will provide proof of completion of an approved OSHA 30 safety training course taken within five years of application date. Failure to meet any of the aforementioned requirements will make the individual ineligible to apply for a contractor license.

Individuals who have met the aforementioned requirements can complete their contractor license application online using eClipse, or in person at the Permit and License Center. To complete a contractor license application online, interested persons are required to create an account on eClipse if they do not have one and link their commercial activity license to their eClipse profile. After that, applicants will be required to upload all the necessary documents. If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a notice to pay the balance, and If the application is not approved, the applicant will receive an email stating what is missing or required.

To complete a contractor license application in person, applicants are required to take all the necessary documents and permit fees to the Permit and License Center at:

Visitors are welcome from 8 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. Queries concerning contractor licensing can be directed to the DLI by submitting an online request to 311 or calling 311. Individuals who live outside Philadelphia can contact the DLI at (215) 686-8686.

Before reaching an agreement with a fence contractor in Philadelphia, confirming the individual's license status with the DLI is crucial. Members of the public can confirm a contractor's license status by utilizing the Philadelphia DLI's online platform. Also, you can use the city's Permit and License Center suspended contractor's directory to verify if there is any disciplinary action against the contractor.

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

Most fence construction companies in Philadelphia charge between $1,300 and $4,500 to build a new fence from scratch. The cost of installing a new fence in the city is usually dependent on a variety of factors, including the type of fencing the homeowner plans to use, the length of the fence, labor costs, and the cost of fence hardware like fence posts, screws, hinges, latches, and locks.

Homeowners must understand that the type of fencing materials used on the project will account for more than half of the total cost, with other factors accounting for the remaining half. Listed below are some of the fencing materials used by home and property owners in Philadelphia:

• Metal and Chain Link: This involves the use of galvanized or LLDPE-coated steel wire to make a woven fence. Metal and chain link fencing material is mainly used for security purposes. These fences are also very affordable, ranging from $5 to $50 per linear foot. Compared to other fencing materials, metal and chain link fences are not aesthetically pleasing and prone to rust.
• Wood: Wood fences cost anywhere between $12 - $32 per linear foot. They usually last longer and have a higher aesthetic value. However, they require regular maintenance to prevent damage that may undermine the strength of the fence.
• Composite: Composites are made from a combination of wood fibers and plastic polymers. Compared to traditional wood, this fencing material lasts longer and requires little or no maintenance. However, they can cost as much as $22 - $40 per linear foot.
• Vinyl: Vinyl fences are usually durable and eco-friendly, with minimal maintenance. However, failing to install this fence properly may expose you to serious security risks. This fencing material costs anywhere from $15 - $30 per linear foot.
• Steel: Although this fencing material is prone to rust, it is usually very easy to install and requires little maintenance. They can also mimic the aesthetic appeal of wrought-iron fences at a lower cost, typically ranging from $17 to $85 per linear foot.
• Wrought Iron: Wrought iron fences are well-known for their beauty and durability. However, at $30 to $60 per linear foot, these fences can be costly to install, and because wrought iron fences can easily rust, they must be maintained regularly.
• Aluminum: Aluminum fences are rust and corrosion-resistant and do not need much maintenance. In addition, this type of material adds a robust aesthetic appeal to your homes and property. However, they are also expensive to install and can cost anywhere from $20 - $90 per linear foot.

Before concluding any agreement with a fence construction company in Philadelphia, getting and comparing quotes from at least three different fencing contractors in the city is crucial. Before you request the quotes, make sure you discuss the type of fencing material you want with each of them to ascertain the average market price for the service. By comparing the quotes provided by the different fence construction companies for your project, you will be able to identify the company that is offering a fair price for the project.

Aside from obtaining and comparing quotes from various contractors before reaching an agreement with any of them, it is also critical to ensure that the contractor is familiar with the specific fence design and style that you desire. Some popular fence designs and styles preferred by homeowners in Philadelphia include:

• Picket Fence: picket fences are made of horizontal rows of flat wood fixed into the ground with pieces of wood nailed across them. Although most picket fences are typically 3 to 4 feet in height, homeowners can install a taller picket for different reasons, including keeping kids and pets from going out.
• Garden Fence: This type of fence is installed to enclose a garden or field to prevent animals or intruders from entering the garden. Garden fences can be made from different materials, including timber, concrete, or metal connected by wire, netting, rails, or boards.
• Dog-Ear Fence: This involves cutting the corners of the vertical boards used to make a fence at angles on the side. This activity produces a dog ear or half-hexagonal shape. Dog-ear fences are usually made from wood and composite materials.
• Flat-Top Fence: as the name implies, this fence is made of vertical boards with a flat-top
• Gothic Fence: This design scares anyone who is thinking of leaping over your fence. The top of the fence is usually pointed and blunt, making it dangerous to climb. Metal fencing materials such as aluminum and wrought iron are commonly used in this style.
• Lattice-Top Fence: This design involves the use of a decorative lattice to make the top of a regular fence
• Split Rail Fence: This design consists of three to four rows of horizontal fence posts supported by vertical beams every few feet. Split rail fences are commonly constructed of wood or vinyl. Although wood is less expensive, vinyl is more durable and requires less maintenance.
• Shadow-Box Fence: This design involves the use of pickets with staggered rows on each side of the fence rails. The pickets on one side of the rails close the gaps between the pickets on the other side of the rails, blocking anyone from seeing through the fence.
• Electric Fence: This design entails the use of metal materials and wire meshes to create a barrier that deters animals and humans from entering an area via electric shocks.
• Custom Fence: This design type usually depends on the homeowner's quirk and taste. Homeowners must understand that each design or style suits a particular purpose. As a result, it is always crucial for homeowners to identify the primary reason why they need a fence before choosing the right design and style.

Most residents in the city install new fences on their property for the following reasons:

• For decorative purpose
• For privacy
• To keep kids and pets from going out and to keep pests and rodents from coming in.
• To improve their security and safety
• To improve the look of their gardens or provide cover for their pool areas

Fence installers in Philadelphia make an average of $41,780 annually. The following list compares the average hourly pay of these contractors with that of fence contractors in other locations across Pennsylvania and the rest of the United States:

What Kind of Fencing Services Do You Offer?

Fence construction companies in Philadelphia provide a wide range of residential and commercial fencing services to the general public. These services include new fence design and installation, replacement or upgrade of existing fences, and fence repair and maintenance.

Regardless of the type of fencing service you need, it is always a good idea to find out whether the fence construction company you intend to hire is qualified for the job. This is crucial because different types of fences require different levels of expertise to build. Hiring a fence-building company that is not experienced in constructing the type of fence, you need exposes you to several liabilities that may arise as a result of poor workmanship. Most fence construction companies in Philadelphia specialize in the repair and installation of the following types of fence:

• Cedar Fencing
• Vinyl Fencing
• Metal Hoarding.
• Wrought Iron Fences.
• Chain Link Fences.
• Wooden Fencing.
• Custom Fencing
• Picket Fencing
• Barricade Fencing.

Besides installing, maintaining, and repairing the aforementioned fences, fence construction companies in Philadelphia also offer more personalized services such as fence design, installation, consultation, and property boundary and utility line marking. While discussing the services you want with the fence construction company you wish to hire, you should also ask if they always pull the required permit for a fence installation job before starting the work. Note that it is always in your best interest to ensure that the fence construction company you wish to hire is willing to obtain all necessary permits. This will protect you from any liabilities that may arise as a result of working without a permit.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Philadelphia?

A nicely constructed fence typically deters trespassers and intruders while also keeping unwanted wild animals off your property. However, fences are intended to keep people and animals out and keep things in, such as children and pets. Installing a fence in Philadelphia can be a long and challenging endeavor, but with proper planning, this long and challenging endeavor can become a much easier process.

Before hiring a fence construction company in Philadelphia, it is crucial to confirm whether the contractor that will be executing the project is conversant with the city code and ordinances regulating fence installation. In Philadelphia, all fence-related work must conform to the Philadelphia Zoning and Planning Ordinance. However, if the property is on the Philadelphia Historic Registry, the fence must conform to both the zoning and planning ordinance and the Philadelphia Building Code. Violating any code or ordinance concerning fencing in the city attracts civil penalties, including an administrative fine of up to $300 for each offense.

The Philadelphia Zoning and Planning Ordinance contains different residential and commercial district property fencing requirements. Fences in residential districts must comply with the following rules:

• Fence posts and gate posts that are integrated as architectural features in the fence design shall be no more than 6.5 feet in height for side and rear fences and up to 4.5 feet for front fences
• Fences located near the lot line shall be no more than 4 feet in height and no more than 50%/opaque
• Fences in the rear or at the side that are located at a distance equal to or further from the front lot line than the required building setback or the actual distance to the building from the front lot line may be no more than 6 feet in height

However, if the fence will be constructed in a commercial district, the following rules will be applicable:

• Fences located nearer to the front lot line than the building shall be no more than 4 feet in height and no more than 50% opaque
• Fences in the rear or at the side that are located further from the front lot line than the building may be no more than eight feet in height.

For more information concerning the rules regulating fence installation in Philadelphia, contact the DLI by submitting an online request to 311 or calling 311. Individuals who live outside Philadelphia can contact the DLI at (215) 686-8686.

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

In Philadelphia, you need to obtain a permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections to construct certain kinds of fences. These include:

• Fences taller than 6 feet
• Fences made of heavy material, like masonry or concrete.
• Fences directly along a street front

Before applying for a permit to build a fence in the city, keep in mind that different zones may have different permit requirements. As a result, homeowners should always check their zoning classification on Atlas and use the tables to check their permit requirements. Home and property owners, business owners, or their authorized agents, such as licensed contractors and design professionals, can apply for fence-work-related permits in Philadelphia. However, only a licensed Philadelphia contractor can perform the work.

Interested persons can obtain a permit for fence work by completing one or both of the following:

• Application for Zoning Permit
• Application for Building Permit. Note that this is always required if the property is on the Philadelphia Historic Registry or in the 100-year floodplain.

Regardless of the permit application they choose, applicants must include the complete scope of work and current owner information in their application. Furthermore, applicants must submit the necessary forms and plans where necessary. For instance, applicants must complete the Accelerated Plan Review Request form, Structural Design Criteria form, and Special Inspections documentation for building permit applications.

Applicants can complete their permit application by uploading the necessary plans and documents online using eCLIPSE or by visiting the permit and license center with these documents at:

Visitors are welcome from 8 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. Interested individuals can contact the DLI for all permit-related inquiries by submitting an online request to 311 or calling 311. Individuals who live outside Philadelphia can contact the DLI at (215) 686-8686.

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

Utility lines are often buried along your property and occasionally between lots to serve neighboring homes. As a result, before constructing a building or erecting a fence in Philadelphia, it is critical to identify and mark the locations of any utility line. Digging any part of your lot and constructing a fence without first identifying these utility lines exposes you and other households in the neighborhood to service disruptions and fatal accidents.

You can avoid damaging a utility line while constructing a new fence by contacting the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission at (800)692-7380. Note that the commission will not locate or mark the underground utility lines for you. However, they will help relay your dig information to the utility companies within your municipality. Further Inquiries concerning Philadelphia utility lines can also be directed to the following local utility companies:

• Philadelphia Water Department at (215) 685-6300.
• Philadelphia Gas Commission - online

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

Reputable fence contractors in Philadelphia carry the necessary insurance policy to protect a potential client from liabilities that may result from work accidents and property damage that can occur while work is being done on the client's property. A client may be held liable for work accidents and property damage that occurs while work is being done on their property if the fence contractor they hired is not insured.

Making sure that the fence contractor who will be constructing or upgrading your fence is insured is crucial. In 2018, the Philadelphia metropolitan area had 11 fatally injured contractors. Even though fatal injuries resulting from construction activities are not too high in the city, it is always a good idea to plan for them by hiring a contractor that is licensed by the DLI.

In Philadelphia, one of the requirements for obtaining a contractor license is submitting a complete certificate of insurance to the city's DLI. By default, anyone licensed as a contractor by the DLI must have the necessary insurance policy for contractors on file. The insurance policy shall include the following minimum amount:

• General liability: $500,000 per occurrence
• Automobile liability insurance: $300,000
• Worker's compensation: $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per employee, and $500,000 policy limit

Homeowners should always request a copy of a valid certificate of insurance from the fence contractor they wish to hire and verify such certificate with the issuing insurance provider. Homeowners can also contact the city's DLI by submitting an online request to 311 or calling 311 to verify a contractor's insurance certificate.