Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Boston, MA

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

To operate as a fencer in Boston, contractors need to obtain a Construction Supervisor License from the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI). For the majority of fencing projects, an Unrestricted CSL—which covers the building, alteration, and repair of extra accessories and walls under 10 feet—would be sufficient. Applicants must print and finish an exam registration form before mailing it to the exam administrators in order to apply for this licensure. After the documentation has been processed for ten days, applicants may schedule an exam.

To be eligible for the exam, applicants must provide evidence of three years of building construction or design expertise. Work experience must have been full-time (40 hours per week) within the previous ten years, though it need not have been continuous. In addition, applicants must supply one of the following—but not both:

• Tax Form: W-2s, IRS Schedule Cs, and 1099 forms are all valid tax documents. Applicants are to provide the necessary paperwork for three years of full-time experience. If they are substituting education for experience, applicants should include a copy of their diploma or degree.
• Letter of Attestation: In lieu of tax records, an individual's notarized letter of attestation stating that the applicant has at least three years of construction and/or design experience is acceptable. Individuals who can make this attestation include engineers, architects, employers, military supervisors, licensed contractors, and others.

Boston places high importance on registration and licensing. Working without one may result in a defaulter paying fines of up to $5,000 and receiving a two-year prison sentence. Use the Office of Public Safety and Inspections License Verification Site to check the validity of a Construction Supervisor License.

Contact the Office of Public Safety and Inspections, Division of Occupational Licensure at (617) 727-3200 for further details on licensing requirements for construction supervisors in Boston, or stop by their office at:

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

Boston residents use fencing professionals to install new fences on their properties for a plethora of reasons. These consist of the following:

• For artistic and decorative purposes
• To conceal and keep trespassers out of their swimming pool areas
• To discourage trespassers like burglars from breaking in and entering
• To ensure that mice and other vermin cannot enter their property
• To ensure that pets and young children cannot leave.
• To improve privacy and block prying eyes
• To increase their sense of security
• To make their gardens more aesthetically pleasing

The price to install a new fence on your property in Boston can be between $2,452 and $3,029, but the final price will depend on a variety of factors, like the style of fencing you choose. In Boston, those who own homes and other properties most frequently construct fences out of the following materials:

• Aluminum: Fences made of aluminum are sturdy, rust- and corrosion-resistant, and low maintenance. Although they can be costly to construct and are not the best solution for security and privacy, these fences give homes and other buildings a more modern appearance. They might cost between $29.05 and $36.98 per linear foot.
• Chain Link: Despite not being the most trendy kind of fencing, chain link fences are renowned for their security. Each linear foot might cost anywhere from $14.53 to $19.81. Despite being suitable for use in backyards, these fences are prone to rust.
• Composite: Composite fences resemble wood fences in appearance but come in a broader range of colors and need little to no maintenance. A significant disadvantage of this fencing material is its price, which ranges from $24 to $44 per linear foot.
• Vinyl: Vinyl fencing ranges in price from $22.45 to $30.37 for a linear foot. These fences are easy to erect, durable, require little maintenance, and are environmentally beneficial. They might not be the ideal choice because they can be harmed by severe weather.
• Wood: Popular due to their ability to provide privacy, wood fences cost between $18.49 and $22.45 per linear foot. The lifespan of this attractive and adaptable type of fencing is just five to ten years before it requires maintenance, i.e., it only lasts for five to ten years before needing repair.
• Wrought Iron: Wrought iron fences are known to be durable and long-lasting and are the most aesthetically pleasing type of fence. However, the cost to construct these barriers might be between $29.05 and $36.98 per linear foot. Wrought iron fences also need a lot of maintenance and are prone to dents and rust.

Labor rates, the anticipated fence's length, as well as the fencing materials and tools are additional factors that could affect the cost of installing a fence in Boston.

It is typically a wise move to ask for and compare quotes 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 price for your selected project, preventing you from being fooled by an unethical fence contractor or company. When estimating these costs, be cautious of different estimates and take caution if the contractor cannot adequately justify a price difference. The following fence design types are used by Boston fence companies:

• Picket Fence: Picket fences are a somewhat popular style of fence because they make for aesthetically pleasing home boundaries. You may identify them by their vertical planks, which are consistently spaced and frequently have pointed tops. Picket fences are typically modest-sized fences. But more robust adaptations of this architecture can be built to provide some defense, including the exclusion of rats and other medium-sized pests.
• Gothic Fence: Gothic fencing is characterized by its numerous holes. Wrought iron and aluminum are frequently used to make this kind of metal fencing. Mansions are usually where you'll find this nicely constructed fence.
• Lattice Top Fence: In this design, an ordinary fence adds a decorative lattice top. It can be made of metal, vinyl, or wood.
• Scallop Fence: A scallop fence has a top that rises somewhat curvedly from one end to the other as opposed to the typical picket fence's straight horizontal top.
• Split Rail Fence: Rather than the more typical vertical installation technique, this design uses a horizontal one. Farms and ranches frequently employ split rail fences because they are more economical to construct than other fence types.
• Flat-top Fence: As the name suggests, the top of this simple fence design is flat. It could be made of metal or wood.
• Dog-Ear Fence: The top ends of the hardwood fence boards on either edge are chopped off to form a hexagonal end for the dog-ear fence design. Wood and composite are the most common fence materials for this group. They are reasonably priced, simple to assemble, and beautiful.
• Shadow-box Fence: Wood fencing must be alternately affixed to each side of the fence construction for the shadow-box fence design.
• Electric Fence: By electrifying both people and animals, electric fences create a barrier that deters access.
• Garden Fence: To keep out small animals and for aesthetic purposes, low fences, often referred to as "garden fences," are frequently built around gardens. They can be crafted from wire or wood in a variety of shapes.
• Custom Fence: As the name implies, a custom fence is explicitly created for a particular piece of land and can be tailored to your tastes. Although wood and metal are the most common materials used to construct these fences, any material of your choice may be used. However, it should be kept in mind that installing various fence types and designs is frequently less expensive than building custom fences.

Fence installers in Boston make an average of $73,030 annually. The following list compares the average hourly pay of these contractors with that of fence contractors in other locations across Massachusetts and the rest of the United States:

What Kind of Fencing Services Do You Offer?

While looking for authorized fence businesses in Boston, it's crucial to learn what fencing services your possible fence contractors are willing to offer and ensure that these services meet your specific requirements. The following are just a few of the many services that certified fence installers in the city frequently offer:

• Caring and repairing a fence
• Constructing and creating unique fences
• Erecting fresh fences
• Modernizing or replacing an outdated fence
• Putting up fence gates

Depending on the details of your contract, the fencing contractor may also provide other services, including expert advice on fence design and construction, utility line and property boundary marking, and procurement of the required permits for the project. Therefore, it is usually in your best interest to confirm the precise services they offer and to agree on the extent of those services before signing any contract with a fence contractor. By doing this, you have a better chance of avoiding disputes and inferior service.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Boston?

It is typically a good idea to find out in advance whether there are any state or local regulations that might affect or limit the form and extent of your Boston fence project. Chapter 49 of the General Laws of Massachusetts provides information about fencing regulations in Boston. These are some of this ordinance's requirements:

• A fence or other structure resembling a fence that is purposefully built or maintained to irritate the owners or inhabitants of adjacent land and that unreasonably exceeds six feet in height is considered a private nuisance. Any such owner or occupant who is harmed in the comfort or pleasure of his estate may bring a tort claim for damages.
• Fences that are four feet high, in good condition, made of rails, lumber, boards, iron, or stone, as well as brooks, rivers, ponds, creeks, ditches, hedges, or other objects that the viewers of the fence perceive to be equivalent to such fences, must be regarded as legal and sufficient fences.
• Unless they mutually agree differently, the occupants of adjacent properties surrounded by fences shall maintain partition fences in equal shares between their enclosures as long as both upgrades.
• Anyone who feels wronged may file a complaint with the fence observers, who will handle it if someone refuses or neglects to repair or rebuild the portion of a partition fence that they are obligated to maintain.

Hiring a professional fence company for your fencing projects has a number of advantages, including the fact that they are frequently informed about pertinent fencing legislation and can help confirm that your installed fence complies with it. Call the city's Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) at (617) 727-3200 to find out more about relevant fence laws and regulations in Boston.

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

Boston's Inspectional Services are in charge of issuing building permits in the city. The permitting procedure in Boston is typically based on whether you are changing a building's use or its physical appearance. Permits for major modifications like new fence construction can only be started online and completed in person, whereas minor changes can be allowed either in person or online.

Homeowners or fencing contractors can submit an online or in-person application for a short-form permit covering minor changes like repairs. Make sure you meet the following prerequisites before applying:

• A thorough explanation of the work you'll be performing
• An estimate of the project's overall cost
• All contractors' identification, including trade licenses
• A duplicate of your contract
• A homeowner waiver, if you want to perform the work on your own property,

Long-form permits are necessary for a variety of projects, including new construction, additions, and structural work. Create an online application with the following required files to apply for a long-form permit:

• A duplicate of the contractor agreement
• A nominal fee  letter if it applies
• A waiver if you are undertaking the roofing work on your own property,
• Proof of Workers' Compensation

After submitting an online application, you must also deliver the following materials in person to Inspectional Services:

• A breakdown of the tasks you'll be doing
• A certified plot plan shows the structure's location on the lot and the property lines.
• A layout plan
• Proof of the owner's consent if the property is not yours
• The signature of an engineer or a qualified contractor on your application.

Contact Inspectional Services at (617) 635-5300 to submit an application or for further details about permits in Boston, or stop by the office at:

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

The benefit of having your fence installed by a competent fence contractor or firm is that they will accurately locate and designate any utility lines on your property, especially any subterranean, unmarked gas, water, and power lines. This is important since cutting any of these lines while working on your renovation could cause deadly accidents and stop the delivery of vital services to your home. Professionals frequently erect fences by carrying out the procedures described below:

• Estimating the Length of the Fence: Here, an estimator calculates the planned fence's length and confirms information such as its design, construction material, placement with respect to the property line, and any easements you may have granted.
• Marking the Utility Lines: Utility lines are marked by the fence company so that while workers are digging, they may avoid them. The fence firm accomplishes this by requesting that the city's utility marking agency mark your property's yard.
• Getting a Fence Permit: The person who installs your fence gets the necessary permits for the building process.
• Digging the Post Hole and Setting the Post Brackets: For simple works, the diggers may use a hand-held post-hole digger to excavate the post hole and install the post brackets. They use a motorized post-hole digger with an auger configuration for most of the remaining duties. The holes are filled with galvanized post brackets, which are subsequently straightened until they are absolutely upright.
• Fence Construction: The fence is put up in the way it was intended.
• Finishing and Cleanup: At this point, the group collects all construction-related trash. You can now assess the barrier to see if you like it.

Although many fence companies provide such services, you should always confirm that your selected fence contractor actually verifies utility lines before signing any contracts with them. Many expert fence builders in Boston may also request a copy of your survey records when generating project designs for obtaining the required fence permits to determine precisely where these utility lines are located on your project.

You can also find these utility lines on your own by calling Boston's Dig Safe at 811 or (888) 344-7233. It is always a good idea to avoid damaging any of these lines before digging on your property. You can contact the nearby service providers listed below if you have questions about the utility lines in Boston:

• Boston Gas Company (National Grid) - (781) 907-1000
• Boston Community Choice Electricity - (833) 930-3161
• Boston Water Commission - (617) 989-7800

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

Working with contractors who are insured is essential. In Massachusetts, there were 69 fatal workplace cases in 2015. You could be liable if one of these situations involves an uninsured contractor working for you. You will be responsible for paying for any property damage caused by an uninsured contractor.

Every business operating in Boston is required to maintain workers' compensation insurance for both themselves and their employees, even if they are employed by the same business. Additionally, confirm that your fence contractor has other sufficient insurance coverage like business auto insurance and liability insurance.

Ask for proof of insurance and bonding before hiring a fence contractor. After that, verify this information with the relevant authority. Make sure that the contractor is covered by general liability insurance, which will pay for any accidents or property damage caused by your project that affects third parties.