Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Denver, CO

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

Anyone who wishes to work as a contractor in Denver must first obtain a contractor license from the city's Department of Community Planning and Development before offering their services to members of the public. This is critical in avoiding penalties that may result from unlicensed contracting. Except when performing construction work as a homeowner and the work that is being performed does not require a licensed professional, it is unlawful to engage in any construction work without a contractor license and without complying with the minimum standards for the construction activity. Parties guilty of this unlawful conduct shall be fined up to $999 or a jail term of not more than 300 days.

To avoid these penalties, individuals who wish to engage in any kind of construction activities, including fence installation, must meet the requirements for obtaining a contractor license and applying for a license. The first requirement for obtaining a contractor license in Denver is obtaining a supervisor certificate or employing a supervisor certificate holder. It is important to note that contractor licenses are issued only to applicants who hold a supervisor certificate or employ a supervisor certificate holder.

Having obtained a supervisor certificate or employed a supervisor certificate holder, applicants can proceed with their application by completing a supervisor statement of responsibility form. After that, the applicant will be required to file the necessary secretary of state documents according to their operating status. When applying, if the applicant is a sole proprietor using a trading name or an individual using a personal name, they must complete and notarize an Affidavit of Lawful Presence and upload a notarized copy of their secure and verifiable identification as listed on the affidavit.

Applicants can upload these documents and complete their contractor license application online using the city's Department of Community Planning and Development e-permits platform. Alternatively, applicants may also complete and submit a contractor license application form and other necessary documents via mail or in person at the Denver Department of Community Planning and Development address provided below:

After reviewing their applications, the Department of Community Planning and Development will issue a license card to successful applicants. Queries concerning the process and requirements for obtaining a contractor license in Denver can be directed to the Department of Community Planning and Development by calling (720) 865-2770 or sending an email.

Finally, before hiring a fence contractor in Denver, it is always a good idea to confirm the individual's license status. Homeowners can verify their preferred contractor's license status by utilizing the Department of Community Planning and Development's verify a contractor's license portal.

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

Home and property owners in Denver typically install new fences for different reasons, including:

• To increase the value of their home
• To mark property lines and keep children and pets on the property
• To add aesthetic value and improve their home's curb appeal
• For added comfort and peace of mind
• To increase their privacy and keep out prying eyes
• For decorative purposes
• To improve their security and safety

Regardless of their reasons for installing a new fence, homeowners must understand that a fence installation project may cost anywhere between $1,600 and $4,200. The cost of a fence installation project in Denver is typically influenced by several factors, such as the length of the fence, labor costs, fence hardware like fence posts, screws, hinges, latches, and locks, and most significantly, the type of fencing the homeowner plans to use. The most common types of fencing materials used by home and property owners in Denver are:

• Masonry Wall Fences: Masonry wall fences are inarguably the strongest, most durable of all types of fencing. They are built from concrete, brick, stucco, or stone and offer an average lifespan of 100 years. This type of fencing also comes in various styles and designs to complement a custom-built home. However, masonry wall fences are more expensive than other fence materials, costing $60 to $240 per linear foot.
• Steel Fencing: Compared to masonry wall fences, steel fencing is less expensive. The cost of installing this type of fencing ranges from $17 - $85 per linear foot. Steel is made from a combination of carbon and iron, making it strong, durable, and resistant to strong winds. In addition, steel fences are impact-resistant, and galvanized steel is corrosion-resistant. Steel can easily fit your home because it comes in a variety of designs and styles.
• Wrought Iron Fencing: Preferred for its aesthetic value, wrought iron fencing is also corrosion-resistant and malleable, with an average lifetime of 50 years. However, at $30 - $60 per linear foot, these types of fences can be expensive to install. Wrought iron fences also require high maintenance.
• Chain Link Fencing: Although chain link fences are not as aesthetically pleasing as most other types of fencing, they are very strong and perfect for security purposes. On average, chain link fences can last anywhere between 25 to 30 years. They require little maintenance during this time. Chain link fencing can cost anywhere from $5 - $50 per linear foot.
• Composite Fencing: Composite fences require little to no maintenance. However, they are more expensive than most fencing materials. A composite fence costs $22 - $40 per linear foot.
• Vinyl: Vinyl fences cost anywhere from $15 - $30 per linear foot. This type of fence is good for privacy and protection against intruders. They require little maintenance and can last for 20 to 25 years.

Irrespective of the type of fencing you choose, it is always a good idea to get and compare quotes from different fencing contractors in the city. This will help you identify the actual cost of the service you need while making sure that you avoid being scammed by dishonest contractors or companies. In addition to comparing quotes from different contractors, it is also essential to determine whether the individual you wish to hire specializes in installing the exact fence designs and styles you want. Listed below are some of the popular fence designs and styles that are preferred by homeowners in Denver:

• Picket Fence: this is built by leaving gaps between vertical woods with pointed tops. This type of fence is usually short but perfect for keeping out medium-sized pests and rodents. Picket fences are installed for somewhat protective purposes and are suitable for properties on small land.
• Garden Fence: like picket fences, garden fences are also low fences. However, as the name implies, this type of fence is mostly installed around gardens to keep small animals out. Garden fences can be built using different materials like wire, plastic, wood, vinyl, and steel.
• Dog-Ear Fence: this is made from either wood or composite. It involves cutting the corners of the vertical boards that will be used for fencing at angles on the side. This gives the top of the vertical boards a hexagonal or dog-ear shape.
• Gothic Fence: gothic fences usually have a series of pointed ends that make it difficult for a person to climb. These types of fences are generally installed for security purposes.
• Lattice-Top Fence: this design involves adding a lattice top to a regular fence to give it a decorative flair
• Split Rail Fence: this is built by inserting horizontal rails into holes made on some vertical posts. Split rail fences are mainly used on farm and large properties
• Scallop Fence: this is similar to a picket fence except that it involves the use of slight curvatures where the fence rises from one end to the other as opposed to the traditional straight horizontal top
• Shadow-Box Fence: this is built by attaching wood fencing material in a way that prevents outsiders from seeing what is behind the fence. This design is used by homeowners who want to increase their privacy and keep out prying eyes

Fence installers in Denver make an average of $40,670 annually. The following list compares the average hourly pay of these contractors with that of fence contractors in other locations across Colorado and the rest of the United States:

What Kind of Fencing Services Do You Offer?

Professional fence builders in Denver offer a variety of fencing services to members of the public. These services include, but are not limited to:

• New fence installations
• Custom fence design and building
• Old fence replacements or upgrades
• Fence maintenance and repair
• Fence gate installations

In addition to the services listed above, you should ask your fence contractor about other personalized services such as fence design and installation consultation, property boundary, and utility line marking. Before signing any contract with your preferred fence contractor, you must agree on the type and scope of services you need. You should also determine whether the type of fencing work you want to do requires a permit and ensure that your contractor obtains the necessary permits.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Denver?

Adhering to city rules and regulations during a fence installation project protects you from any kind of liability that may result from code violations. In Denver, few local ordinances guide the installation of fences, and their application is usually dependent on the particular zone the property is situated in, the type of fence that will be installed, and whether or not the building is located in a historic district. As a result, it is always a good idea to research the Denver Building and Fire Code and Denver Zoning Code to see the requirements for fence installation before commencing work on any project. Similarly, it is essential to determine whether the property is in a historic district. Note that Denver is home to some historic small towns protected by historic landmark status, and these protections restrict any type of construction activity in some areas. To construct a fence in this locality, you need approval through the landmark Preservation Board.

Listed below are some local rules guiding the installation of fences across Denver:

• All fences above 4 feet require a permit
• Fences should not be installed on a neighboring property or in the public right-of-way. These include streets, alleys, sidewalks, and tree lawn areas.
• All fences and walls must be at least 6 inches back from the public sidewalk, regardless of where the property line is located.
• Except for industrial areas, the maximum fence height allowed is four feet in the front yard and six feet in the backyard.
• In industrial areas, the maximum height allowed is 7 feet within the setback and 10 feet outside of the setback.
• If the property is in a floodplain or if you are digging within two feet of the sewer line, sewer use and drainage permit (SUDP) may be required.
• Taller heights may be allowed in certain situations. For specific criteria on over-height fences and walls, please visit Section 10.5.5 of the Denver Zoning Code.

For more information concerning fence ordinances and laws in Denver, call the city's Department of Community Planning and Development at (720) 865-2770.

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

In Denver, you need a permit before executing certain types of fencing work. For instance, you need a zoning permit to construct any fence over 4 feet tall, and a building permit to construct a Post-hole dug fence if the fence is taller than eight feet. Permits are issued by the city's Department of Community Planning and Development, and interested persons can obtain the necessary permits for their fencing project electronically through the city's e-permits system.

To use the e-permit system, first-time applicants will need to create an online account, go to Development Services, and select the application for a permit icon. When prompted, applicants should select "zoning permit" and upload a site plan for the project. The site plan will contain:

• An illustration that includes labels and dimensions of all zone lot lines,
• The distance of the proposed fence/wall from all zone lot lines
• Labels for adjacent streets and alleys
• All existing structures already on the property
• Proposed fence/wall location and height
• Proposed fence/wall materials
• Fence/wall elevations if the proposal includes a mix of materials, such as a fence on top of a retaining wall, etc.
• Section and footing details for fences or walls that require a building permit

Once the application is submitted and the application fees have been paid, the Denver Department of Community Planning and Development will review the application, and only successful applicants will be issued a permit. Queries concerning the process and requirements for obtaining a permit can be directed to the city's Department of Community Planning and Development at (720) 865-2720 or via email.

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

In Denver, the odds that cables, wires, and utility lines are buried underground are very high. As a homeowner in this area, you must understand that digging any hole on your lot, whether for fence installation or otherwise, without first marking the location of underground cables, wires, and utility lines is illegal. As such, ensuring that all utility lines on your lot have been marked before commencing a fence installation project is always in your best interest.

Homeowners can ensure that all utility lines on their lot are marked by submitting a utility locate request online. Homeowners can also call Colorado 811 to have underground utilities marked.

Note that you can not use the services of a private utility locate company until you have submitted a request through Colorado 811 and received confirmation that a ticket or notice of pending excavation has been generated by Colorado 811. You will receive a confirmation directly from Colorado 811. Call 811 or (800) 922-1987 for more information concerning utility line markings. Homeowners can also contact the following utility companies for more information on underground utility line markings:

• Xcel Energy - (800) 895-4999
• Denver Water Services - (303)893-2444

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

In Denver and other parts of Colorado, thousands of people get injured while doing their jobs, and over 112 work-related deaths are recorded in the state every year. Homeowners in Denver must understand that work injuries can occur during a fencing project, and they are responsible for the liabilities associated with these injuries if the fence contractor they hired is not adequately insured. As such, it is critical to hire an insured fence contractor.

Hiring an insured contractor protects the homeowner from financial and legal liabilities that may result from fatal injuries and property damage that occurs while work is being done on their project. Homeowners can ensure that the individual they wish to hire for their fencing job is insured by asking for proof of insurance and contacting the insurance company that issued them to confirm the fencing contractor's insurance status.