Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Charlotte, NC

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

To construct a fence in Charlotte, professionals must obtain a general contractor license from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). In order to do that, Applicants must fill out an online application and fulfill the following conditions:

• They must be at least 18 years old,
• They must possess moral integrity as judged by the NCLBGC
• They must show proof of their ability to make financial commitments as established by the NCLBGC
• They must pay the required application fee.

Contractors are required to apply for a license under the name they intend to use for bids, contracts, and operations. Although licenses can be given to both persons and businesses, they are only valid for the work carried out by the specific legal body to which they are granted.

Keep in mind that North Carolina divides licenses into classifications and limitations. The monetary amount that can be used in a project is determined by a limitation license. The type of work that can be done with a license also depends on the classification. For residential fencing projects in Charlotte, a Limited license, which limits the value of a single project to $750,000, should suffice. If the amount required for your project is more than that, you will need an Intermediate or Unlimited license. Also, your fencing contractor should possess either a building or residential contractor license.

Prior to being granted a license, applicants must also sit for and pass an exam. The exam assesses the applicant's capacity to:

• Demonstrate a practical application of their knowledge of the profession of contracting;
• Read plans and specifications;
• Demonstrate knowledge of pertinent provisions of the North Carolina State Building Code and
• Demonstrate knowledge of estimating costs, construction, ethics, and other similar matters pertaining to the contracting business.

Be aware that the length of the licensing procedure can change depending on certain things. The initial processing of an application after receipt typically takes two weeks. A license cannot be issued unless the application has received Board approval after all documentation and tests have been finished. The licensing procedure takes roughly 30 days if an application and proof of a passed exam are submitted. If the Board requires an exam, the process depends on when exams are completed. After the tests are successfully passed, it takes roughly 2 to 3 weeks before a license is issued.

A contractor who works without a license in Charlotte is considered to have committed a Class 2 misdemeanor that carries a possible punishment of 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Use the North Carolina Licensing Board's license search tool to see whether a fencing contractor you are thinking about is licensed. For more details about fence contracting in Charlotte, contact the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors at (919) 571-4183, send an email, or stop by its office at:

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

Homeowners in Charlotte use fencing contractors to install new fences on their homes for a variety of reasons. These include:

• For artistic and decorative purposes
• To increase their sense of privacy and prevent prying eyes
• To protect their pool areas from trespassers and cover them
• To discourage bad actors like burglars
• To make their gardens more appealing
• To improve their security and safety
• To keep pests out of their premises
• To stop children and pets from escaping the property.

The price to install a new fence on your property in Charlotte can be anywhere between $2,407 and $2,697, but the final price will depend on a number of factors, with the type of fencing you choose being the most important. The most popular fencing materials used by Charlotte property owners for their homes and other buildings are:

• Chain Link: Despite not being the most stylish type of fencing, chain link fences are known for their security and can cost between $10.25 and $13.98 per linear foot. Although these fences can be used in backyards, they are prone to corrosion.
• Composite: Composite fences look like wood fences but come in a larger range of colors and need little to no maintenance. A significant disadvantage of this fencing material is its price, which ranges from $24 to $41 per linear foot.
• Wood: Due to the privacy they provide, wood fences are popular and cost between $13.05 and $15.84 per linear foot. While this type of fencing is versatile and beautiful, its lifespan is just five to ten years and requires regular maintenance.
• Aluminum: Fences made of aluminum are durable, rust- and corrosion-resistant, and low maintenance. Although these fences provide homes and other buildings with a more modern appearance, they can be costly to construct and are not the best choice for protection and privacy. They may cost between $20.50 and $26.10 per linear foot.
• Wrought Iron: Fences made of wrought iron are the most aesthetically pleasing kind and are also known to be durable and powerful. Though, these fences might cost between $20.50 and $26.10 per linear foot to erect. Wrought iron fences also need a lot of maintenance and are easily dented and rusted.
• Vinyl: Vinyl fencing costs between $15.84 and $21.44 for a linear foot. These fences are easy to install, long-lasting, low maintenance, and good for the environment. They might not be the ideal choice for harsh weather because it can damage them.

Other elements that could affect how much it costs to install a fence in Charlotte include:

• Labor charges
• The length of the proposed fence
• Supplies and equipment for fencing.

It is typically a good idea to request and compare pricing 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 pricing for your chosen project, preventing you from being deceived by a dishonest fence contractor or company. When comparing these costs, watch out for estimates that stand out from the others and heed caution if the contractor cannot satisfactorily explain the price difference. The following design styles are used for fences in Charlotte:

• Picket Fence: A picket fence is a popular style of fence regularly used as aesthetically pleasing house boundaries. They can be identified by their vertical boards, which are consistently spaced and frequently have pointed tops. Picket fences are typically modest-sized fences. However, larger modifications of this design can be built to provide some protection, such as rat and medium-sized pest exclusion.
• Garden Fence: Known to keep out small animals and for aesthetic purposes, low fences, referred to as "garden fences" are frequently built around gardens. They can be crafted from wire or wood in a variety of shapes.
• Flat-Top Fence: As the name suggests, this simple fence design has a flat top. It can be made of metal or wood.
• Gothic Fence: The fence in this design is pierced at numerous spots. Wrought iron and aluminum are typically used in this form of metal fencing. Mansions typically have this finely crafted fence.
• Electric Fence: Electric fences employ metal materials and wire mesh to construct a barrier that deters entry by shocking people and animals with electricity.
• Split Rail Fence: Rather than the more typical vertical installation technique, this design uses a horizontal one. Split rail fences frequently require less fencing material than other fence types and are popular in farms and ranches.
• Lattice Top Fence: In this design, a standard fence is given a lattice top to provide some decorative flair. It can be made of metal, vinyl, or wood.
• Scallop Fence: The top of the scallop fence type rises somewhat curvedly from one end to the other, in contrast to the typical picket fence's straight horizontal top.
• Shadow-Box Fence: For this design, wood fencing material must be alternatively fastened to each side of the fence structure.
• Dog-Ear Fence: The top ends of the hardwood fence planks on either edge are shaved off to produce a hexagonal end for this type of fence. Wood and composite are the most common fence materials for this category. They are reasonably priced, simple to build, and attractive.
• Custom Fence: As its name implies, a custom fence is one that is created specifically for a given piece of land and can be modified to your tastes. Although wood and metal are the most common materials for bespoke fences, you can use any material of your choice to construct these fences. However, it should be kept in mind that installing alternative types and designs of fences typically costs less money than building custom fences.

Fence installers in Charlotte make an average of $78,620 annually. The following list compares the average hourly pay of these contractors with that of fence contractors in other locations across North Carolina and the rest of the United States:

What Kind of Fencing Services Do You Offer?

While looking for certified fence companies in Charlotte, it is crucial first to learn what kinds of fencing services your potential fence contractors are prepared to offer and confirm that these services meet your specific needs. Many different services, including the following, are routinely offered by qualified fence contractors in the city:

• Construction and creation of unique fences
• Care and repair of a fence
• Installation of gates for fences
• The erection of fresh fences
• Replacement or upgrade old fences

Depending on the terms of your contract, the contractor may also provide additional services, including expert guidance on fence design and installation, utility line and property boundary marking, and obtaining the required permits for the job. Therefore, it is usually in your best interest to confirm the services they offer and agree on the extent of those services before entering into any contract with your fence contractor. You finally avoid disputes and poor service performance by doing this.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Charlotte?

Before commencing any Charlotte fencing project, it is typically a good idea to ascertain whether there are any state or municipal restrictions that might influence or constrain the form and extent of your project. Mecklenburg County Residential Swimming Pool Ordinances, Chapter 19 of the Charlotte Code of Ordinances, and Chapter 68 of the North Carolina General Statutes provide information on the laws that govern fencing in Charlotte. The following are some specifications of this ordinance:

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.

• Any individual planning to erect a fence, wall, or other structure along the edge of one of the city's sidewalks or streets must have the director/engineer find, grade, and certify the fence's neighboring street's limits.
• Except for fences encircling radio, television, microwave, or other transmission or relay towers or public utility structures, all fences in residential areas are subject to the following regulations:
  • Unless it is a part of a zero lot line development, no fence or wall located in the required setback may be built to a height higher than 5 feet above grade in the front yard. It may be 6 feet in the case of a zero-lot line development.
  • A fence or wall between the established rear yard and the required setback cannot be built higher than 6 feet above grade in the required side yard.
  • It is prohibited to build a fence or wall in the established rear yard that is higher than 8 feet above grade.
  • Any fence or wall used as a retaining wall must be made of solid wood, masonry, or cement and built in accordance with state building codes.
  • A fence post or column's capital may protrude up to 2 feet above the permitted height.
  • No wall or fence that will obstruct or significantly impede the flow of stormwater runoff may be built inside a storm drainage easement.
• Fences can only be erected inside the boundaries of your own property unless neighbors have given their explicit consent. The construction and upkeep of border fences can be done cooperatively by neighboring landowners.
• An agreement between neighbors to maintain a border fence is permissible, but without a restrictive covenant, succeeding landowners might not uphold the arrangement.
• Landowners in North Carolina are obligated to fence in their properties if they have cattle.
• There is no requirement for landowners without cattle to construct a border fence.
• A neighbor is not required to contribute to the price of constructing or maintaining a boundary fence.
• Residential swimming pools must be entirely enclosed by a fence, wall, building, or other enclosure, or any combination thereof, that satisfies the requirements listed below:
  • The whole perimeter of the pool is given with a minimum height of 44 inches
  • The enclosure's vertical members' horizontal spacing must not exceed four inches
  • Any openings under the enclosure's bottom must not be higher than four inches.
  • When the gate(s) are closed, openings beneath and through a fence or barrier must be large enough to prevent the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 4 inches.
  • All gates and doors must have locking mechanisms and be capable of both self-closing and positive self-latching
  • For service gates that are kept closed unless they are in use, self-closing, self-latching gates are not necessary.

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

According to city law, every wall or fence built alongside a city street needs a free certificate from the Charlotte Department of Transportation in place of a permit. To obtain this Fence and Wall Certificate, send an application along with a location sketch to the Department of Transportation at:

Note that without an attached drawing, an application cannot be processed. You can also email the Department with questions regarding the Fence and Wall Certificate.

For the erection of a fence or wall over six feet tall in Charlotte, a building permit is also required in addition to a Fence and Wall Certificate. Building permits are issued by the Charlotte Development Center and Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement. Any signs that are built into or affixed to a fence or wall require a sign permit as well. The Sign Ordinance of the Charlotte City Code governs all signs and must be followed.

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

A significant benefit of hiring a professional fence contractor or company to install your fence is that they will accurately locate and designate any utility lines on your property, especially any underground, unlabeled gas, water, and power lines. This is important since damaging any of these lines during your project could cause tragic accidents and stop the flow of vital services to your house. Professionals frequently follow the procedures indicated below to perform fence installations:

• Estimating the Length of the Fence: Here, an estimator measures the planned fence's length and confirms information such as its design, construction material, placement relative to the property line, and any easements you may have granted.
• Marking the Utility Lines: Utility lines are marked by the fence business so that they may avoid them when they dig by calling the city's utility marking agency to come to your home and mark your yard.
• Getting a Fence Permit: The person who installs your fence gets the necessary permits.
• Digging the Post Hole and Setting the Post Brackets: The diggers may utilize a hand-held post-hole digger for small operations when digging the post hole and installing the post brackets. They use a motorized post-hole digger in the auger design for the majority of the other duties. The holes are also filled with galvanized post brackets, which are then straightened until they are absolutely upright.
• Building the Fence: The fence is built as anticipated.
• Finishing and Cleanup: The team collects all construction-related trash during this phase. You can now assess the barrier and determine if you like it.

While locating utility lines is a service many fence companies offer, you should always confirm that your selected fence contractor offers this before signing any contracts with them. Many professional fence builders in Charlotte may also request a copy of your survey records when developing project designs for obtaining the required fence permits to help confirm precisely where these utility lines are put on your project.

You can also look for these utility lines on your own by dialing (800) 632-4949 or Northern Carolina 811 at 811. Doing this before digging on your property is always a good idea to prevent damaging any of these lines. If you have inquiries about the utility lines in Charlotte, you can get in touch with the nearby service providers listed below:

• Duke Energy - (800) 777-9898
• Piedmont Natural Gas - (800) 752-7504
• Charlotte Water - (704) 336-7600

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

Working with contractors who are insured is essential. In 2020, there were 189 fatal workplace accidents in North Carolina; you could be held liable if one of those accidents involves an uninsured contractor working for you. Any property damage caused by an uninsured contractor will also be your expense.

While licensed general contractors in Charlotte are not required to carry insurance, confirming that the fencer you selected is adequately covered by liability insurance is crucial. A general contractor is typically not required to post a bond. However, if a surety bond is employed instead of satisfying the minimal financial requirements for a license, whether it be limited or intermediate, bonds are necessary.

Even if it is not a prerequisite for the general contractor's license, state laws mandate worker's compensation. For further information, please contact the North Carolina Industrial Commission at (800) 688-8349. For projects requiring a general contractor's license, worker's compensation insurance might also be necessary in order to get building permits.

Always request proof of insurance and bonding before selecting a fence contractor, and then validate this information with the relevant authority. Make sure the contractor also carries general liability insurance, which will pay for any accidents or damage to other parties' property that may be directly caused by your project.