Do You Have a Permit for That Fence?

The fence. It offers privacy, security, and safety. It can be decorative, stylish or strictly utilitarian. It is generally easy to install, whether you hire a contractor or do-it-yourself. And it needs a building permit. It surprises many homeowners that building permits are not confined solely to buildings. Even a fence must, in most cases, be permitted.


Fence Permits Depend on the Locality

Fence permitting is not universal. Some localities require it, while others don't. Also, fence permits may be issued on the city or county level depending on whether you live in an unincorporated county or an incorporated city.

Fence Permits Are Limited to the Type of Fence

Often, fence permitting depends on the type of fence. In unincorporated areas, you often find that fences less than six feet tall do not require permits. In cities, though, almost any type of fence will need a permit. The rural, unincorporated areas also give more leeway as to the type of fence, since farmers and ranchers often have special needs for barbed wire, electric fences, and so on. In cities, it is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain permits for these types of fences. Finally, you will find that most localities do not permit fences higher than six feet--no matter what type of fence it is.

Fence Permits Are Not Always Easy to Obtain

For such a simple thing, one would think it would be easy to obtain a fence permit. But some permitting offices require sketches, plans, and photographs. If a neighbor shares your fence, you may have to obtain written consent from that neighbor to build the fence. Whether or not you share the cost of the fence with the neighbor is a different matter. As you might suspect, bringing up the topic of fences with a neighbor can often be divisive.

Fence Permits Are Cheap--Except When They're Not

Fence permits can be as low as $20, but can sometimes exceed $100.

Fence Companies Can Obtain Fence Permits for You

One nice thing about contracting with a fence company to put up your fence is that they may obtain the fence permit for you. This is a great time-saver though keep in mind that the fee is still borne by you. Not all fence companies do this, but a good fence company will. Definitely ask about this when getting your fence estimate.

Source: about.com

Repair or Replace?

If your fence is broken or has seen better days, you should consider your options to repair it before you make a decision to replace it.

Wooden fences: If part of your wooden fence has started to rot, you can replace bad slats, pickets or posts with the same type of wood, but the color may not match if the original fence has weathered. This is a job your can do by yourself or you can have a contractor do it. However, if 20% or more of your fence boards are rotted or in a state of disrepair, it is probably time to replace your fence. It is a good idea to weigh the costs and benefits of a large-scale repair against total replacement with a professional fence contractor.

Chain link fences: Chain link fences are very durable, but eventually they may start to rust. If the rust is limited to 10-15% of the fence, it is probably worth removing and replacing the rusted sections. If you plan to work with a contractor, get their opinion on the integrity of the whole fence, and get estimates on both the cost of repair and the cost of replacement.

Wrought iron fences: Wrought iron fences are expensive to buy and install. If you have a wrought iron fence that is rusting, it may well be worth having the rust treated and repaired. If you put the job off, it will only get worse and repair will no longer be an option. A reputable fence contractor should be consulted for repair jobs or advice on wrought iron fences.

Brick, concrete or stone walls: The expense and time it takes to install a brick, concrete or stone wall is very significant. Give careful consideration to repairs before you decide to replace, especially since replacement usually means removing the original structure.

Source: remodelhomeguide.com

Before deciding to install a fence, you should have the answers to three questions:

• Do you have the skills to do it?
• Do you have the time to do it?
• Are there vendors who will inform and support you through the installation process?

Here is some help in answering those questions:

Skills required: The necessary skill level can range from low to high. The skills required vary greatly depending on the type of fence and your terrain. Installing a wooden fence on a clear, level lot in topsoil that is not rocky is a straightforward project that requires minimum skill. This is a job you may wish to consider doing yourself. Installing a wrought iron fence with an electronic gate on a sloped property with rocky soil requires a high level of skill. This is definitely a job best left to the professionals.

Time required: Time required is extremely variable. What materials will you be using? Chain link, for instance, installs faster than wood. How much space are you enclosing with the fence? Is the terrain flat and unobstructed? Wooded? Rugged? Into what kind of soil will you be placing posts? (Rocks take extra time and effort.) Installing a fence, particularly digging the holes, can be very strenuous work, particularly for a long fence and in rocky soil.

Vendor support: Support from your vendor can be variable. If you are buying raw materials, wood posts or rolls of chain link fence, support is low. If you are buying an integrated fence product that has all parts made by one manufacturer, directions are usually thorough and phone support is often available.

Think carefully before you purchase materials and try to do-it-yourself. Should you change your mind and decide to hire a contractor, many will not install a fence using materials that you have provided. The quality of the materials may not conform to the standards set by the company and this type of installation could reflect on their reputation and commitment to their customers.

Source: remodelhomeguide.com