Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Seattle, WA

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

Any fence builder who intends to provide fencing services in Seattle must have registered as an appropriate specialty contractor with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. With the registration, fencing contractors will be able to bid and offer fencing services to residents of Seattle. If fence builders provide fencing services without the proper specialty contractor license, they will be liable to penalties and fines.

Interested individuals who wish to be registered as a specialty fencing contractor must check the following requirements:

• Register their business with the Washington Department of Revenue.
• Obtain a surety bond.
• Purchase a general liability insurance policy.

Applicants can then fill out and submit a signed and notarized contractor registration application form to the L&I office in Seattle at:

Alternatively, applicants can submit the form via mail to:

The registration process for fencing specialty contractors in Washington is usually completed within three to four weeks following submission and paying the applicable registration fee. For more information about the various requirements and procedures involved in becoming a licensed fence specialty contractor in Seattle, you can contact the state's Department of Labor and Industries at (360) 902-5226.

Hiring a registered fence contractor guarantees your fence project will be completed properly. You can use this tool to verify a contractor, tradesperson, or business tool to confirm the registration status of your preferred fence builder.

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

The average cost of installing a fence in Seattle is around $1,700 to $3,200. However, this varies depending on the scope and nature of the project and other factors such as:

• Labor costs
• The type of fence material used
• The type of fence hardware used
• The length and height of the fence

In Seattle, many homeowners choose to have a fence installed on their property due to various reasons:

• To contain children and pets
• To keep out pests, rodents, and small animals
• To define their property lines
• For safety and security reasons
• For increased privacy
• For decorative purposes

To this end, before you start the process of fencing your property, it is essential that you pay attention to the materials to be used to ensure they are suitable for your property: Some common fence materials used by home and property owners in the Seattle area include:

• Wood: Wood fencing is excellent for aesthetic and privacy purposes. It requires regular maintenance due to its ability to rot and mold. This type of fence costs around $16 - $19 per linear foot.
• Composite: Unlike wood fences, which usually require regular maintenance, composite fencing can last longer. However, installing at an average of $20 - $30 per linear foot is more expensive.
• Vinyl: Vinyl fencing is durable, resistant to rot, mold, fading, splintering, rusting, and low maintenance. However, it's not as attractive and can contract and shrink in cold weather. Vinyl fencing typically costs an average of $19 - $26 per linear foot.
• Wrought Iron: One of the strongest and most common types of fencing is wrought iron, which is resistant to pests and has a high aesthetic value. Unfortunately, this type of fence is prone to rust, is expensive to install, and does not provide much privacy. It typically costs around $25 - $32 per linear foot.
• Steel: Steel fencing offers many of the same benefits as wrought iron, but it's less durable and prone to scratches and rust. It is also cheaper, costing an average of $25 to $50 per linear foot.
• Aluminum: Aluminum fencing is a low-maintenance type of fence that is resistant to corrosion and attractive. However, it's prone to dent and is typically priced at around $25 - $32 per linear foot.
• Chain Link: A chain link fence is relatively low-maintenance fencing that's also relatively affordable. However, it's not very attractive, offers less privacy, and is prone to rust. This fence typically costs around $12 - $17 per linear foot.

When you start the process of fencing your property, it is essential that you thoroughly compare the bids and estimates of different fence companies in Seattle. Doing so will allow you to get the best possible rate. It is also a good idea to avoid getting ripped off by companies that overcharge or try to get low initial quotes to attract potential clients. If any of the fencing contractors provide a low estimate, make sure that you have a clear understanding of the price discrepancies. Avoid proceeding with them if the company cannot provide a justifiable explanation.

Note that costs should not be the only factor you consider when choosing a fence contractor. A good local company should have the skills to install the type of fence you prefer and the necessary licenses.

• Picket Fences: This type of fence is commonly used in the city and involves leaving gaps between the fence material's vertical slabs. This type of fence is usually used for decorative purposes, but taller variants can also be installed for added protection. While wood is commonly used for this type of fence, some homeowners also use vinyl.
• Scallop Fences: This type of fence is commonly used in variations of the traditional picket fence design. Instead of having a straight horizontal top, this type of fence has curved edges where the fence rises from one end to the other.
• Garden Fences: These fences are usually placed around gardens and are designed to protect against rodents and small animals. They are also commonly used for decoration.
• Flat-Top Fences: This type of fence leaves the fence with a flat top.
• Lattice Top Fences: This type of fence is also commonly used in a design that involves adding a lattice top to the existing fence. This type of fence adds a decorative flair to the traditional design.
• Gothic Fences: This type of fence is commonly used on fences made from metal fencing materials. It has a series of pointed ends spaced along the fence's length.
• Dog-Ear Fences: This type of fence is commonly used in a design that involves cutting the corners of the vertical boards into angles on the side
• Split Rail Fences: This type of fence is commonly used in a horizontal design instead of the traditional vertical style. Because of this, it is more suitable to fence large farms and properties.
• Shadow-Box Fences: This type of fence is commonly used in an alternating manner on each side of the fence's frame
• Electric Fences: This fence is constructed using wire mesh and metal fencing materials. It prevents animals and people from entering an enclosed area using electric shocks.
• Custom Fences: Custom fences are designed to fit the homeowner's needs. The installation costs of these fences are typically higher than those of other types of fencing.

Fence contractors in Seattle make an average of $44,860 annually. The following list compares the average hourly pay of these contractors with that of fence contractors in other locations across Washington and the rest of the United States:

What Kind of Fencing Services Do You Offer?

In Seattle, fence companies provide various services to their customers. These include:

• Fence repair and maintenance
• Fence design consultations
• Custom fence design and building
• Property boundary and utility line marking
• Fence gate and hardware installation and replacement
• Fence installations
• Fence replacements and upgrades

Before you start working with a fence company, it is essential that you thoroughly research the services they provide and the scope of their operations. Doing so will allow you to make an informed decision regarding the project and ensure that your preferred fence contractor is suitable for your project. Another essential step you should take is to agree on the cost of the company's services. Ensure everything is included in an agreement, including any promise the fence builder may have made towards the project.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Seattle?

In Seattle, there are various laws and regulations that may affect the scope and nature of fence projects. Homeowners are required to install the fences on their properties in compliance with any law or regulation relevant to it. These laws include:

• Chapter 16.60 of the Revised Code of Washington
• Chapter 246-260 Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
• Appendix G Seattle Residential Code

Some key provisions of these laws and regulations include:

• For a fence to qualify as lawful, it must have the following traits:
  • Between 44" and 52" high
  • Made of four barbed, horizontal, well-stretched wires
  • Horizontal wires placed at intervals of 12", 22", and 32" (under the top wire)
  • Wires must be secured to substantial, equidistant posts
  • Posts must be less than 24' apart
• Wires must be supported with stays if posts are more than 16' apart.
• If you want to build one, tell your neighbor you want to build a fence. Building a partition fence along the boundary of your property allows you to ask for reimbursement for half of the cost.
• In residential zones, your fence's height is restricted to 6 feet, with an additional 2 feet of architectural features, such as columns and trellises. Your fence can be 8 feet high on sloping sites if the posts are 6 feet tall.
• If you have a pool or spa, you must build a fence around it for safety reasons. Your swimming pool fence must have the following traits:
  • At least 48" high
  • Completely enclose the pool
  • Self-closing and self-latching
  • The latch must be out of reach of children
• Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 2'7-inch (57 mm) square for a swimming pool unless the fence has slats fastened at the top or the bottom, which reduce the openings to not more than 1'4 inches (44 mm)
• Where the barrier of the swimming pool is composed of diagonal members such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall not be more than 17 inches (44 mm)
• Barriers at limited-use pools must be at least sixty inches high.

When it comes to fencing projects, one of the most important factors you should consider is the contractor's expertise and if they can effectively follow the regulations applicable to your project. This will allow you to avoid penalties from local and state-imposed penalties. Non-compliance with the Code in Seattle during your project attracts city-imposed sanctions and penalties usually determined by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections. You can also contact this city's department at (206) 684-8850 to report any suspected violations.

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

Before a construction project can begin in Seattle, fencing contractors must obtain a construction permit from the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections. Most fence projects in the city require only a construction subject-to-field inspection permit. However, if you're planning on building a fence that's 8 feet tall or lower, without concrete or masonry pieces over 6 feet, you don't need a permit, except if the fence will be placed in a flood-prone area.

Fencing contractors in Seattle can apply for a construction permit online by completing the Building & Land Use Pre-Application using the Seattle Services Portal. The fence builder can then upload a site plan and a complete legal description for their site. After the fence contractor pays the pre-application site visit (PASV) fee, the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections will inspect and send preliminary application materials to other departments for their review and comment.

Once the construction permit is ready, it will be posted on the Seattle Services Portal. The successful applicants can then be required to print the approved plan and permit on the online portal.

In addition to issuing permits, the Department of Construction & Inspection will conduct inspections on your fencing project to ensure that the work being carried out complies with the city's safety and building codes. Fence contractors can request an inspection online via the Seattle Services Portal or call the department's 24-hour automated inspection request line at (206) 684-8900. The applicant will be required to provide their permit number, name, and phone number.

The permit process for different construction projects can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the type of property involved. This is why it's essential for contractors and other individuals interested in getting a permit to inquire about the permit relevant to their project. You can visit common projects pages to determine your project's permit type. Alternatively, you can contact the Applicant Services Center for a free 20-minute video coaching session.

For more information about the inspection process, you can contact the city's applicant services center at (206) 684-8850.

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

Most fence companies in Seattle follow a six-step process when installing fences. These include:

• Digging post holes and setting post brackets
• Building and installing the fence
• Estimating the fence length
• Locating and marking utility lines
• Obtaining all required permits
• Completing and cleaning the work site

Before you start the fence installation process, it is important that you have all utility lines marked on your property. Marking all utility lines, such as water, gas, and power lines, helps avoid outages and service disruptions and prevents accidents and fatal injuries. You should ensure that the fence company you are working with has the equipment to correctly locate and mark utility lines on your property.

Make sure that the company you are working with takes on the responsibility of locating and marking utility lines before finalizing any hiring agreements. You may be required to provide the fence builder with a copy of your survey records so they can easily identify the exact location of the lines. You can also locate and mark utility lines on your property by calling the Washington Utility Notification Center at 1-800-424-5555 or 811.

You can direct your queries regarding utility lines on your property to local utility companies in Seattle:

• The Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) - (206) 684-3000
• The Seattle City Light - (206) 684-3000
• Puget Sound Energy - (888) 225-5773

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

It is important to ensure that the fencing contractor you hire is adequately insured. If the fence contractor you are hiring is not insured, you could be held responsible for any bodily injuries or property damage that they cause. In 2020, over 20,600 non-fatal work-related injuries and over 1,000 fatal injuries were recorded among construction workers in the United States.

Ensuring that the contractor has the necessary general liability insurance policies is also essential. This type of insurance can cover the damages and injuries that may occur during your project, regardless of the type of work that they are doing. To carry out their duties, fence contractors in Seattle must have the following:

• General liability insurance policy in the amount of
  • $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 in property damage, or
  • $250,000 combined single limit
• A surety bond of $12,000

You should check the status of your fence contractor's insurance and bond by requesting proof of these documents. Also, you can ask the appropriate issuing company to confirm the authenticity of these documents and if the insurance policy will be adequate.

If a fence contractor in Washington does not have the necessary insurance, they can not be registered in the state. If you want to learn more about the insurance requirements for a fence contractor in Seattle, you can contact the city's Department of Labor and Industries at (360) 902-5800.