Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Columbus, OH

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

Fence contractors wishing to operate in Columbus must be licensed or registered by the city's Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS) before plying their trade within the city. This department currently offers three licensing and registration options to fence contractors based on the nature and scope of services that they intend to offer:

• General Contractor: individuals who register as general contractors are permitted to
  • Perform construction on all new buildings and structures except accessory structures and garages for existing one, two, and three-family dwellings
  • Perform structural additions, alterations, and repairs on existing commercial or multi-family dwellings and accessory structures or buildings
  • Manage and coordinate alteration, modification, and repair activities on existing one, two, and three-family dwellings
• Home Improvement General Contractors: the scope of permitted activities for individuals who are licensed as home improvement general contractors is limited to structural additions, alterations, or repairs on existing one, two, and three-family dwellings and the construction of accessory structures and garages for these types of dwellings
• Home Improvement Limited Contractors: the scope of permitted activities for individuals who choose to be licensed as home improvement limited contractors is limited to one or more areas of residential home improvement, including residential fencing services

Interested parties that wish to be licensed or registered by the BZS may do so by completing and submitting either a General Contractor Application Form or a Home Improvement Contractor Application Form, whichever is applicable, to the department at:

Applicants are typically required to meet certain eligibility criteria, which include:

• Providing proof of adequate bond and insurance coverage
• Meeting minimum required education or hands-on work experience requirements. This is typically not required for applicants who wish to register as General Contractors.
• Passing the Ohio Home Improvement Contractor – 767 Examination with a score of at least 70 percent. This is typically only required for applicants who wish to be licensed as Home Improvement General Contractors.
• Paying all stipulated fees and providing any additional documentation that the department may request

It should be noted that, per the provisions of Chapter 4111 of the Columbus Code of Ordinances, fence contractors who offer their services in the city without proper licensing or registration are considered guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor. This offense carries statutory and administrative penalties that include up to $1,000 in fines, up to 180 days in jail, or a combination of fines, jail time, and other sanctions.

Queries related to the BZS's licensing and registration requirements for fence contractors can be directed to (614) 645-7433. You can also confirm if your intended fence contractor has been properly licensed or registered by this department either by perusing its list of licensed contractors or by accessing the Columbus Citizen Access Portal online and clicking the "Search for a Contractor" link under the General Information Section.

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

Fences get installed in Columbus for a variety of reasons, including:

• Security purposes
• Privacy purposes
• Containment and boundary marking purposes
• Landscape enhancement

Installing these fences typically cost an average of $1,500 - $3,500. Nevertheless, the actual cost of your fence project will be determined by factors like:

• The fence length
• The fence material and hardware used
• Labor costs

Fence materials play a large role in the overall cost of your fence project, and special consideration should be given to this to ensure that it is the right fit for your fence's intended purpose. Fence materials that are commonly used in the city include:

• Wood: wood is economical, offers great privacy, and is aesthetically appealing, but requires regular maintenance and can be susceptible to warping, splitting, rotting, and cracking. Wood fencing generally costs $10 - $35 per linear foot.
• Vinyl: Vinyl is low maintenance, versatile, and able to withstand weather elements. Vinyl fencing generally costs $10 - $28 per linear foot.
• Composite: composite offers the same benefits as wood but requires less maintenance, is less susceptible to damage, and is also more expensive. Composite fencing generally costs $20 - $42 per linear foot.
• Chain Link: chain link is affordable, durable, and low maintenance but does not offer much privacy and is not as aesthetically pleasing as other fence materials. Chain link fencing generally costs $5 - $30 per linear foot.
• Wrought Iron: wrought iron is aesthetically appealing, strong, and durable. However, it is also relatively expensive, high maintenance, and prone to rust. Wrought iron fencing generally costs $30 - $65 per linear foot.
• Aluminum: aluminum has the look and feel of wrought iron but is more resistant to rust and corrosion. However, it is also more lightweight and prone to dents. Aluminum fencing generally costs $22 - $55 per linear foot.
• Steel: steel also offers the same benefits as wrought iron for a relatively cheaper price and with fewer maintenance requirements. However, it is also less durable. Steel fencing generally costs $22 - $50 per linear foot.

Getting quotes for your project from up to three different fence companies and comparing them before making your hiring decision is a good way to ensure that you receive fair rates and also avoid being scammed by dishonest fence contractors. Note that you should never automatically choose the contractor with the lowest rates and request an explanation for any noticeable differences among the quotes that you receive.

Also, make sure that the fence contractor you select has the experience and tools to install the fence in your desired style or design. Some popular fence designs found in the Columbus area include:

• Picket Fence: this is a very popular fence design, and it typically involves leaving gaps between vertical slabs of wood, composite, or vinyl fence material. While this fence style is mainly installed for decorative purses, it can also be used for protective or containment purposes.
• Scallop Fence: this a variation of the picket fence design where curvatures are added to the top of the fence from one post to the other instead of the usual straight top
• Flat-Top Fence: this design involves leaving the fence with a flat-top
• Dog-Ear Fence: this design involves angling the corners of the fence's vertical boards on the side
• Garden Fence: this is a short fence that is installed around gardens for decorative and protective purposes
• Gothic Fence: this design is mostly implemented with metal fence materials, and it involves adding pointed ends to the top of the fence
• Lattice Top Fence: this design involves adding a lattice top to the fence to give it a decorative flair
• Shadow-Box Fence: this design involves alternating the fence material on each side of the fence's frame
• Split Rail Fence: this fence style is typically installed on farms and large properties, and it involves constructing the fence horizontally so that less fence material is used instead of the typical vertical style
• Electric Fences: these types of fences are created using a mixture of metal fence materials and wire mesh and are designed to deter animals and people from entering a particular space through electric shocks
• Custom Fences: fences designed, constructed, and installed to fit specific landscapes and terrains. Custom fences typically cost more than other fence styles and designs, and they generally take the customer's unique preferences or quirks into account

Fence contractors in Columbus make an average of $48,190 annually. The following list compares the average hourly pay of these contractors with that of fence contractors in other locations across Ohio and the rest of the United States:

What Kind of Fencing Services Do You Offer?

Before entering into any agreements with fence companies in Columbus, it is crucial that you find out the types and scope of services that they offer. Professional fence companies in the city are generally equipped to offer a wide variety of services, such as:

• New fence installations
• Fence replacements
• Fence hardware installation and replacement
• Custom fence design
• Fence repair and maintenance
• Utility line and property boundary marking

Confirming that your preferred fence company is equipped to offer the specific scope of services needed for your fence project goes a long way in guaranteeing the successful execution of the project. It is also a good idea to get a written contract that includes all expected services as well as the cost of these services before any actual work on the project commences.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Columbus?

Certain local ordinances and state laws affect the nature and scope of fence projects that can be undertaken in Columbus. These include the city's zoning and building codes as well as Chapter 971 of the Ohio Revised Code. Key requirements of these fence-related regulations include:

• Swimming or wading pools in the city must be enclosed by a fence that is at least 48 inches high when measured from the ground. These fences must have self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward from the pool and are equipped to accommodate a locking device. The gate releases must also be located at least 54 inches from the bottom of the gate or more than three inches from the top of the gate on the inside, and there must not be an opening greater than half an inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism.
• Privacy fences and chain link fences are generally limited to a maximum height of six feet and are typically restricted to side and rear yards.
• Homeowners who build and install boundary fences on their property are not responsible for the maintenance and repair of these fences. However, if this fence was built and installed before September 30, 2008, then the responsibility for maintaining the fence is to be shared by all parties that use the fence.

One reason it is always in your best interest to hire professional fence contractors is that they are usually conversant with pertinent fence regulations and how they apply to your project. This way, you can be assured that your fence project will be executed in compliance with these regulations and thus, avoid the sanctions that are typically associated with violating them.

You can get more information on relevant local ordinances and state laws that may pertain to your fence project by contacting the Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services at (614) 645-7433 and (614) 645-8637. Suspected violations of these fence regulations can also be reported to this department online or by calling (614) 645-3111.

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

Per the provisions of the Columbus Building Code, building permits are required for all construction-related activities in Columbus, including fence installations and replacements. These permits are issued by the city's Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS), and failing to obtain them before your project commences is punishable by fines of up to $1,000, jail time of up to 180 days, or a combination of both. Nevertheless, permit exemptions may be made for fences that are six feet high or less. Note that these fences will still have to comply with other relevant local ordinances.

Parties that wish to obtain permits from the BZS may do so by completing and submitting a Building Permit Application Form to the department at:

Applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable permit fee and may also have to submit additional documentation like site plans and project drawings. The requested permits are usually issued after the stipulated payments have been made, and all submitted documents have been reviewed and approved. Bear in mind that all permitted projects are subject to inspection by authorized BZS officials to ensure that the completed work conforms to the scope of work detailed on the permit that was issued and other pertinent building and construction regulations and standards.

Ensuring that all required permits for your project are obtained before the actual work commences ensures that you comply with local ordinances and protect your property value as well as public safety and welfare. You can contact the Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services at (614) 645-7433 to get more information on its permit issuance procedure and requirements for fence projects in the city.

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

Failing to verify and mark the underground water, power, gas, and other utility lines on your property before you start digging for your fence project puts you at risk for serious injury, costly damages, project delays, and service disruptions. As such, when making hiring arrangements with fence companies in Columbus, you should always find out if they include utility line location and marking as part of their fence installation services. Professional fence companies in the city generally follow six key steps when installing fences:

• Fence length estimation
• Utility line location, verification, and marking
• Permit pulling
• Fence post holes digging and post brackets setting
• Fence construction and installation
• Worksite clean-up

Keep in mind that your fence contractor might need a copy of your survey records during the utility line location and marking phase of your fence project to help them confirm the precise position of these lines on your property.

You can also contact the Ohio 811 call center at 811 or (800) 362-2764 to locate and mark available utility lines on your property for free. Note that this center must be contacted at least 48 hours before the expected date of the intended digging activities.

Lastly, you can reach out to the Columbus Department of Public Utilities at (614) 645-8276 or via email to get more information or direct inquiries concerning local utility lines and companies in the city.

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

Chapter 4114 of the Columbus Code of Ordinances mandates all fence contractors that operate in the city to carry liability insurance with coverage limits of at least $300,000 for damages to a single person and $500,000 for one occurrence. These contractors must also post and maintain surety bonds of no less than $25,000 and workers' compensation insurance, where applicable.

There is always a risk of on-the-job injuries during construction-related activities, and fence installations and replacements are not exempt from this. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 57,780 nonfatal work-related injuries were recorded among construction trade workers across the country in 2020. Injuries among this category of workers also accounted for more than 25 percent of all work-related fatalities that occurred in Ohio during this time. Hiring an uninsured fence contractor makes you liable for any injuries sustained during the job and any property damage caused by the contractor.

As such, always confirm that your intended fence contractors have complied with the city's mandatory insurance and bond requirements before they start any work on your project. You can do this by requesting copies of their insurance and bond certificates and authenticating them with the relevant issuing organizations. You can also reach out to the Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services at (614) 645-7433 to get more information or make inquiries regarding these mandatory insurance and bond requirements.