Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Oklahoma City, OK

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Fence Contractor in Oklahoma City?

Fence contractors who wish to operate in Oklahoma City must obtain a locally issued license from the city's Development Services Department before doing so. Fence contractors who provide their services without holding a valid license can face misdemeanor charges and receive penalties of up to $1,200 per offense.

Interested parties that wish to apply for fence contractor licenses in Oklahoma City will be required to write and pass a written test. These tests can be scheduled by contacting the city's Chief Building Inspector at:

Applicants must also provide certain documentation before being issued the requested licenses. These include:

• Test results obtained from the Chief Building Inspector
• A notarized Contractor's Information Sheet
• A valid Photo ID
• An Immigration Affidavit, where applicable
• A Fence Contractor Occupation Bond of at least $1,000
• All stipulated fees

These documents should be submitted to the city's Development Services Department at the office address provided above. Inquiries concerning the city's fence contractor licensing process can also be directed to the department at (405) 297-2606.

It's always in your best interest to make sure that the fence contractor you intend to hire has been appropriately licensed prior to the start of work, as this helps you ascertain the level of their professionalism and qualification. To this end, you can reach out to the Oklahoma City Development Services Department at (405) 297-2606 to verify if your intended fence contractor has been properly licensed to provide your required services.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Fencing Companies In Oklahoma City?

Homeowners in Oklahoma City generally install fences on their property for several reasons, such as:

• Security
• Privacy
• Functionality/containment
• Decoration/aesthetic reasons

Fence installations in Oklahoma City cost between $1,500-$3,000 for an average yard, but this price could vary with some determining factors. Certain factors typically influence the total amount of money that you will pay fence contractors in the city, and these include:

• The fence material
• The length of the fence
• The slope of the land
• Labor cost

Regarding fence materials, special attention should be paid to this factor as they largely influence the overall cost of fence projects and play a key role in determining the suitability of the installed fence for its intended purpose. Several types of fence materials are commonly used for fence projects in Oklahoma City, and these include:

• Wood: Wood is a very popular fence material choice because of its versatility and aesthetical appeal. However, it typically requires a lot of maintenance. Wood fences generally cost an average of $10 - $24 per linear foot.
• Vinyl: This fence material is low maintenance and easy to install, making it ideal for individuals who do not want to do much upkeep. Vinyl fences generally cost an average of $15-$30 per linear foot.
• Composite: Although composite fences are similar in features to wood fences, they require little to no maintenance. A composite fence costs $22 - $40 per linear foot.
• Chain Link: This kind of fence is relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and is usually preferred for large properties that need quick fencing or for commercial settings within budget. A chain-link fence typically costs $9-$35 per linear foot.
• Aluminum: These kinds of fences are relatively low maintenance, weather, rust-resistant, and durable. Aluminum fences typically cost $20 - $50 per linear foot.
• Wrought Iron: Wrought iron fences are considered very aesthetically appealing and are also very durable. However, these fences are quite prone to rust and require high maintenance. Wrought iron fences typically cost $30 - $65 per linear foot.
• Steel: Steel fences offer the aesthetic appeal of wrought-iron fences for a relatively lower price and with fewer maintenance requirements. They are, however, prone to scratches and rust. Steel fences typically cost $17 - $55 per linear foot.

It is always a good idea to find out how much you would be required to pay fence contractors for their services before signing off on any contracts. Doing this ensures that there are no misunderstandings when the project is completed. It is also advisable to get and compare costs from several fence companies before choosing one best suited to the job. This helps you ensure that you get fair rates for your project and is also an effective method for spotting fraudulently high or suspiciously low quotes.

Note that you should not automatically choose the contractor with the lowest quotes, and ensure that your final pick is appropriately licensed, insured, and well-equipped to install your preferred fence style and design. Some common fence designs and styles that homeowners in the city typically select for their fence projects include:

• Picket Fence: This is a popular type of fence, and it involves leaving gaps between vertical wood materials to make up the fence. Picket fences are usually short and mostly decorative, but taller picket fences can also double as protective or security fences to an extent.
• Garden Fence: This kind of fence is mostly for decorative purposes. It could either be low or high depending on the kind of garden.
• Dog-Ear Fence: This kind of fence has the corners of its vertical boards cut at angles on the side. Here, the top edges of the wooden fence boards are shaved off on an edge to create a hexagonal end. Dog-ear fences can be installed with the boards flushed together or spaced apart, depending on the level of privacy required by the homeowner.
• Flat-Top Fence: Just as the name suggests, the flat-top fence design is a simple flat top. It is suitable for boundaries and borders.
• Gothic: This fence style is one with a series of points.
• Lattice Top Fence: This is a regular kind of fence with a lattice attached to the top to add a decorative or aesthetic element to it
• Split Rail Fence: These fences are usually installed horizontally instead of vertically, so the fence material per linear foot is used, making it a good option for large properties.
• Scallop Fence: This is a variation of the picket fence. Here, the design has slight curvings where the fence rises from one end to the other.
• Shadow-Box Fence: This is a fence that is formed with wood attached in an alternating manner on both sides of the frame. This fence style offers privacy but allows rays of light on the side.
• Electric Fence: This kind of fence style uses electric shocks to deter individuals and animals from crossing the boundary and is typically made with metal fencing materials
• Custom Fence: This is a fence design that is constructed to fit the specific needs and characteristics of the homeowner and the property on which it will be installed. It should be noted that custom fences will typically cost more to install than regular fences.

Fence contractors in Oklahoma City make an average of $31,980 annually. The following list compares the average hourly pay of these contractors with that of fence contractors in other locations across Oklahoma and the rest of the United States:

What Kind of Fencing Services Do You Offer?

Making inquiries into the kinds of services that fencing companies in Oklahoma City offer are necessary to ascertain that you receive optimal value and service for your money when it comes to your fencing project. By confirming the scope of services that your preferred fencing company is equipped to offer before finalizing any hiring arrangements with them, you can ensure that your fence project is tastefully and satisfactorily executed. Professional fencing companies in Oklahoma City typically offer different kinds of services, which include:

• Fence installation
• Fence maintenance
• Fence repair
• Fence gate installation
• Custom fence design
• Fence building
• Design and installation consultations
• Fence hardware replacement and maintenance
• Permit pulling
• Boundary and utility line marking

Note that after you confirm that your preferred fence contractor offers the kinds of services that you require, you should agree on the cost of these services and ensure that this agreement, as well as any other promises made by the contractor, are put in writing.

When Am I Required To Have A Fence In Oklahoma City?

Before you install a fence in Oklahoma City, it is always wise to find out if there are any local rules or laws that may affect the project. Certain rules guide fence installations in Oklahoma City. Some of them include:

• The Oklahoma City Municipal Code
• Section 748:20-5-27 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code

Some of the key requirements of these laws include:

• Outdoor pools must be enclosed by a fence, which must have the following features:
  • It must be at least 48 inches high
  • The maximum clearance between the ground and the bottom of the fence should not exceed two inches.
  • The maximum vertical clearance between the bottom of the fence and the top of the pool structure should not exceed four inches.
  • Any openings on the fence should not be big enough to allow the passage of a four-inch diameter sphere.
  • The distance between the tops of the vertical and horizontal fence members should be at least 45 inches.
• Front yard fences that are greater than fifty feet should be equipped with a gateway with at least 16 feet of clear width.
• No front yard fence shall be installed within 25 feet of the intersection of the right-of-way lines of any private or public street.
• Front yard fences must be kept in an attractive state, in a safe and sanitary condition, and in good repair at all times.
• Front yard fences should not obstruct any public walkway, even if the private walkway is on private property.
• Fences should be constructed with support and braces on the fence interior. However, an exception to this may be made in situations where the sides of the fence have the same appearance and design.
• Homeowners with adjoining property share the responsibility of repairing and maintaining boundary fences. Note that these homeowners are typically required to inform their neighbors before installing these fences.

You can get more information on relevant Oklahoma City fence laws and regulations by contacting the Zoning Division of the city's Development Services Department at (405) 297-2623. You can also report suspected violations of these laws and regulations to the department through its Action Center.

Will You Get the Necessary Permits As Required As Per The City Code?

Chapter 12 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code stipulates that a building permit must be obtained before any construction-related work is done within Oklahoma City. Violating this law is considered a misdemeanor offense and is punishable by a fine of up to $1,200, jail time of up to six months, or a combination of both. Thus, before commencing your fence projects in the city, it is necessary to obtain all required permits. Doing this keeps you on the right side of the law, protects your property value, saves you money on insurance, and ensures that public welfare and safety are maintained.

Fence permits in Oklahoma City are issued by the city's Development Services Department, and applications for these permits can be submitted to the department online through the OKC Citizen Portal. Note that first-time applicants will be required to register a user account before accessing this portal. To this end, the Development Services Department provides a user guide that can be used to get help with its permitting process. Applicants may be required to submit documentation like site plans and project drawings for review and approval and pay stipulated fees before the requested fence permits are issued.

You can get additional information on the Oklahoma City fence permit issuance process by reaching out to the city's Development Services Department at:

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

Fence installations are usually completed via the following steps:

• Fence length estimation
• Utility line marking
• Fence permit obtaining
• Post-hole digging and post-bracket setting
• Fence building
• Finishing and cleaning

One of the major benefits of hiring a professional fence company is the proper marking of utility lines, especially underground water, gas, and power lines. Doing any digging on your property before clearly locating and marking these lines puts you at risk for service disruptions and serious injuries. As such, even though several fence companies are responsible for locating and marking utility lines when executing fence projects, you should always get confirmation from your choice fence contractor before signing off any contract with them.

Note that a good fence contractor would typically request your survey records to verify the exact location of your property lines. These lines can also be located and marked at no cost by contacting the Okie 811 service at 811 or (800) 522-6543. You must contact this service at least 48 hours, but no more than 14 days, before you intend to dig on your property. Bear in mind that weekends and legal holidays are not included in this.

Inquiries concerning Oklahoma City utility lines can also be directed to these local utility companies:

• Oklahoma City Water Utilities Customer Service Office - (405) 297-2833
• Oklahoma Natural Gas - (800) 664-5463
• Oklahoma Gas and Electric Utility - (405)-272-9741

Do You Carry The Necessary Insurance Policy For General Contractors In The City?

Figures published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that injuries among construction trade workers accounted for more than 21 percent of all fatal work-related injuries in 2020. Considering these figures, the importance of working with insured fence contractors cannot be understated. Hiring fence contractors who are appropriately insured provides you with legal and financial protection if any bodily injuries occur during the execution of your fence project and also covers the cost of any property damage that may arise.

Note that per local requirements, fence contractors in Oklahoma City are required to post and maintain surety bonds of at least $1,000. Likewise, these contractors must also carry state-mandated worker compensation insurance for their employees, except in situations where they have no more than five employees, all of whom are related by blood or marriage.

Therefore, you should always request proof of insurance and bonding from the fence contractor you intend to hire and validate this proof with the appropriate organization. Ensure that the contractor's insurance plan includes general liability coverage that extends to third-party injuries and property damage.

You can get additional information on the mandatory insurance requirements for fence contractors in Oklahoma City by contacting the Oklahoma City Development Services Department at (405) 297-2606.