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Yes, most states require a fencing installer to be licensed, and for good reason. Hiring an unlicensed fence installer could lead to poor quality work, costly future expenses, and potential code violations. 

As you browse our pro listings, take note of the “Angi Approved” badge. Angi Approved businesses meet our standards for certification, which include:

• The owner, principal, or relevant manager passed a criminal background check

• Required to have applicable state and local licenses

• Maintain an average star rating of 3.0 or better on our network, if they have at least one review

• Paying to advertise their services

• Meeting any other eligibility criteria required by Angi

Keep in mind licensing is different from certifications. A license is a legal requirement to operate a business, while certifications are voluntary.

Fence installers typically charge by the hour when working on a project. Typically, you can expect to pay around $50 per hour for fence installation. Your project might take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours, depending on the length of your fence, overall project complexity, and fence type. 

The average cost to install a fence is between $1,760 and $4,500. These costs are what an average homeowner spends, but you might spend more or less depending on several factors. For a smaller DIY project, you might get away with spending as little as $430, or for a much larger project (like fencing for a 5-acre yard), you can spend in excess of $43,000. 

Besides the size of your yard, other factors like your fence material, fence height, site prep, and additional fence features like gates all impact the overall cost. Additionally, the high cost of raw materials and manufacturing can all make the overall price tag higher. 

Before you hire a fence installer to build you the fence of your dreams for your yard, it’s important to set expectations up front by asking questions. Some questions to consider include: 

• Do you offer a warranty?

• Do you offer financing or a payment plan?

• Do you have references?

• Do you have photos of previous work?

• What type of fencing materials do you work with?

Only some fences require a permit to build. Factors like where you live, how tall your fence will be, and where in your yard you plan to build all impact the need to have a permit. Below are a few examples of when a permit is needed; it’s always best to check with your fence installer to confirm if a permit is required.

Generally, if you live somewhere rural, like on a farm, there’s a good chance you will not need a fence permit. However, you will most likely need a permit if you live in a highly-populated area. In addition, many privacy fences in your backyard won’t need a permit if it is 6 feet or shorter. However, you might need a permit for anything over 3.5 feet in your front yard.