Get Quotes from Top Fencing Contractors in Nashville, TN

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

Per the Tennessee Code Annotated, contractors in Nashville must be licensed before bidding for or handling any project costing more than $3,000 in materials and labor. Any contractor who fails to get licensed and handles projects exceeding the $3,000 threshold acts unlawfully and may be liable to multiple penalties. These penalties include a $5,000 fine and a temporary bar from later obtaining a license. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) regulates the licensing of contractors through the Licensing Board for Contractors (LBC). Licenses issued by this Board are categorized into four types, namely:

• Contractor licenses
• Home improvement licenses
• Limited licensed electrician licenses
• Limited licensed plumber licenses.

The required license type depends on the type of project. For example, a home improvement license is required for residential remodeling projects costing between $3,000 and $25,000 in materials and labor. On the other hand, a contractor license is required for any project costing more than $25,000 in materials and labor. Subcontractors need not obtain a contractor license unless they are handling part of a project and this part exceeds the $25,000 threshold.

Anyone interested in obtaining any of the licenses must first pass a licensing examination. Only applicants for home improvement licenses are exempt from the examination requirement. Licensing examinations consist of either trade exams or both trade and business & law exams, depending on the license type. Those who pass the exams can apply for the relevant license online.

Home improvement or contractor license applications may also be made in person. Interested persons can do so by submitting a completed home improvement license application form or contractor license application form, as the case may be, to the LBC at:

Note that certain documents are necessary to process any license application, and they include:

• A valid photo ID
• Proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance
• A letter of reference from a past client or employer.

Each license type also has specific documents applicants must submit along with their application. Applicants can browse the LBC's license requirement page to find out the documents necessary for their desired license type. Also, applicants must pay an application fee.

In addition to state-level licensing, contractors in Nashville are further required to register with the Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety (DCBS). To begin the registration process, the relevant contractor must email the Department's Permitting Division. Contractors who refuse to register with the DCBS are ineligible to obtain permits and may face fines as high as $500 per violation if they handle any project within Nashville.

Residents can verify a contractor's state-issued license using the TDCI's license search and verification portal. Interested persons can also contact the LBC at (800) 544-7693 for more inquiries on state-level licensing, including the relevant processes and requirements. Similarly, residents can confirm a contractor's city-mandated registration through the Nashville ePermits portal. They can also inquire about city-mandated registration by contacting the DCBS at (615) 862-6500.

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

Several factors determine how much it may cost to install a fence in Nashville. These factors include:

• The type of fence to be installed
• The estimated time and required labor for the project
• Permit fees and processes.

Be that as it may, on average, fence installation in Nashville costs between $1,500 and $5,500. Actual costs will vary by contractor. Therefore, homeowners are advised to compare estimates from multiple contractors before hiring one. Doing this helps avoid scammers and unnecessarily expensive contractors.

Other factors that can influence the cost of a fence installation are a homeowner's reason for installing the fence and their preferred fence material and style. Some of the reasons homeowners in Nashville install fences include:

• Safety and security
• Privacy
• Aesthetic appeal
• To protect landscaping
• To improve property resale value
• For enclosing a pool.

Regarding fencing materials, homeowners have a wide range of options to choose from. These options include:

• Wrought iron: Wrought iron is widely considered one of the best fence materials because of its aesthetic appeal, durability, and versatility. It is also low-maintenance and best for security. However, a downside of wrought iron is the high cost, which can be anywhere between $25 and $70 per linear foot.
• Vinyl: Vinyl fences cost between $20 and $40 per linear foot, making them relatively affordable. They are easy to install, provide appealing aesthetics, and are great for privacy. Despite these advantages, they are usually expensive to repair and are not eco-friendly.
• Wood: Wood is one of the most popular fence materials, typically costing between $8 and $25 per linear foot. Wood fences have a comprehensive design and material variety are eco-friendly, easily adjustable, and durable if regularly maintained. However, the downside of wood fencing is the need for regular maintenance because it depreciates faster than other fence materials.
• Aluminum: Aluminum fences are known for their non-corrosive, durable, and low-maintenance attributes. They are also aesthetically pleasing and fit in most neighborhoods. Nonetheless, they are not great for privacy and take longer to install. Aluminum fences cost between $15 and $25 per linear foot.
• Steel: Steel is considered a great fence material because of its wind resistance and low maintenance. It is also durable and effective for security. However, steel fences are susceptible to rust if not properly galvanized. They typically cost between $10 and $20 per foot.
• Chain link: Chain link fences are generally easy to install or repair, low maintenance, visible, and relatively affordable. They cost between $7 and $13 per linear foot. They are great for security but not so much for privacy. Also, they get rusty.
• Brick: Brick fences are customizable and effective for sound insulation, privacy, and security. However, they are slow to install, are susceptible to mold growth and seismic damage, and can be expensive to maintain. Depending on the brick type, brick fences cost between $10 and $30 per linear foot.

Besides preferred fencing material, some fence styles available to homeowners willing to install a fence include:

• Picket Fence: This is a fence style characterized by leaving spaces between vertical wooden slabs attached to two or more horizontal wooden slabs. Picket fences are popularly made from wood. They are mostly low fences, although there are taller variants.
• Lattice-Top Fence: This style involves designing the top part of a fence with lattice patterns. This is usually done on tall, wooden fences.
• Split-Rail Fence: This is a variant of picket fences. It involves fixing wooden logs or planks into the ground as poles to anchor a string of horizontal logs or planks. Split-rail fences are usually low and are best for fencing farmlands and large properties.
• Gothic Fence: Gothic-styled fences are usually made from metal materials, such as wrought iron, aluminum, or steel. They are known to be see-through and have a series of pointed tops. Gothic-styled fences may also be made from wood but are usually low fences in such cases.
• Garden Fence: Garden fences are simply fences that enclose a garden. Low, usually picket-styled may be made from any fence material. Homeowners sometimes install garden fences for decorative or aesthetic purposes, too.
• Flat-Top Fence: This style is characterized by a flat fence top. It can be achieved on any fencing material.
• Dog-Ear Fence: This style is usually done on picket fences made from wood. Styling your fence this way involves uniformly cutting the side edges of each of the fence's vertical slabs.
• Electric Fence: These are fences made using metal material. They ensure security by fending off intruders through electric shocks.
• Scallop Fence: Fences styled this way have a curved top, like an arc. This arc may go upwards or downwards, and this style is mainly done on picket fences.
• Shadow-Box Fence: This is a type of picket fence with two sides. The first side is a picket-style fence, characterized by spaced-out vertical wooden slabs attached to one or more horizontal wooden slabs. The second side is also picket-styled but alternately attached to the first side. Essentially, the second side of the fence blocks the gaps between the vertical slabs of the first side. Shadow-box fences are great for privacy.
• Custom Fence: These are fences made to a homeowner's unique demands, styles, or preferences. Installing a custom fence can involve using multiple fencing materials and designs, depending on the project owner's expectations. Nonetheless, wood and metal are commonly used when installing a custom fence. Custom fences are typically more expensive than other fences and take longer to install.

Fence contractors in Nashville and most parts of Tennessee earn an average of over $36,000 annually. The list below compares the average hourly pay of fence contractors with their counterparts in other locations across Tennessee and the rest of the United States:

What Kind of Fencing Services Do You Offer?

Before hiring a fencing contractor, a crucial factor to consider is their area of specialty. There are several services related to fencing projects, and some contractors are better skilled in one than others. Some of these services include:

• Consultation services
• Installing a new fence
• Repairing or maintaining old fences
• Installing a fence gate
• Fence replacement
• Fence designing

Therefore, ensure to confirm your desired contractor's specialty and experience in providing the service you need. Hiring a contractor without adequate skill or experience may result in unsatisfactory service delivery and possible additional costs to rectify their mistakes. Asking your desired contractor about their work experience and requesting customer references can help in this regard.

When Am I Required to Have a Fence in Nashville?

Fencing projects are regulated in Nashville primarily due to public safety and visibility concerns. Several laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations govern how fences are installed and maintained across the city, stipulating material standards and height restrictions. These include:

• The Nashville Property Standards Code
• The Nashville District Bulk Regulations
• The Nashville Fences Regulations
• The Nashville Zoning Code

Many of these codes, ordinances, and regulations are contained in the Code of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Some of the notable provisions of these codes and regulations include:

• Barbed or razor wire fences are prohibited along sidewalks in areas designated as urban services districts
• Solid fences are prohibited within 10 feet of a building's front setback line, except if the fence is below 30 inches. However, open fences are allowed, provided they do not exceed 72 inches in height
• Front fences must not exceed six feet in height
• All fences must be adequately maintained by the project owner or homeowner
• Metal fences must be corrosion-resistant or rust-resistant
• Electric fences must be surrounded by a non-electric fence that is at least six feet tall
• Only certain fence materials can be used to construct a fence, and they are:
  • Wood
  • Wrought iron
  • Chain link or woven wire
  • Plastic or synthetic material treated in a way that ensures the fence's structural integrity
  • Masonry materials
  • Metal materials
  • Vinyl
• Back fences must not exceed eight feet in height.

Competent and experienced fence contractors are usually aware of and conversant with these requirements. Therefore, it is ideal to hire only experienced contractors so you do not run the risk of violating these codes and ordinances. Residents can inquire further about fencing requirements and regulations by contacting the Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety (DCBS) at (615) 862-6500. They can also report fencing violations to this Department through the same phone number.

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

Although permits are required for most building and structure-related projects in Nashville, this requirement does not extend to most fencing projects. Therefore, residents can commence fencing projects without the need for a permit. However, residents must ensure that their fencing projects comply with relevant laws, use acceptable fencing materials, and do not encroach into neighboring properties.

For more inquiries on fencing project requirements and permit exemption for fences, project owners can contact the Zoning Department of the DCBS at (615) 862-6590 or by email.

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

In most cases, a successful fencing project entails the following processes:

• Confirming property lines
• Choosing a fence style and preferred material
• Getting a qualified contractor
• Ensuring utility lines are found and marked
• Marking the fence layout
• Digging and post-setting
• Fence building and finishing touches.

Note that in some cases, utility lines run underground and may be unmarked. Therefore, it is crucial to check around your property for these lines and have them marked, especially before digging. Digging around unmarked utility lines may cut into them and interrupt the delivery of essential services. Cutting into utility lines also risks your safety, as this can lead to electrocution or an explosion. Experienced contractors usually find and mark utility lines before commencing a fencing project. They typically do this by checking your property's survey record and contacting the relevant utility company, where necessary. However, you should confirm that your desired contractor would do this and ensure the contractor does so before digging. You can also locate these lines yourself by calling 811 or (800) 351-1111 to request assistance and for necessary precautions.

If you have questions regarding utility lines and precautions you should take before digging for your fence, you can contact the following city departments:

• The Nashville City Water Department - (615) 862-4600
• The Nashville City Department of Public Works - (615) 862-8750

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

As a mandatory requirement, contractors in Nashville must maintain active general liability and workers' compensation insurance policies. Also, the general liability insurance coverage must not be less than the stipulated minimum amount. This minimum amount varies by license type. The minimum coverage for contractors with a home improvement license is $100,000. This must also be supplemented by a bond or irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $10,000. On the other hand, the minimum general liability coverage varies for contractors with a contractor license, ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000. The exact amount depends on the monetary limit on the contractor license.

In addition to this mandatory insurance requirement, contractors must satisfy bond requirements stipulated by the DCBS. In this regard, contractors with a home improvement license must post a $10,000 permit bond with the DCBS. Also, contractors with a contractor license must post a $40,000 permit bond. However, they may post a $10,000 permit bond instead if they will be bidding for projects below $25,000.

Project owners are generally advised to hire only contractors who have satisfied these insurance and bond requirements. With more than 140 work-related injuries recorded in the construction industry across Tennessee in 2020, the need to hire insured and bonded contractors cannot be overstated. When you hire an insured contractor, you are indemnified from injuries or damages that may result from your project, saving you from possible out-of-pocket expenses.

One way to confirm your desired contractor has complied with insurance and bond requirements is by asking them to provide proof of compliance. This can include an insurance certificate or document of exemption from the relevant city official. Ensure to confirm the authenticity of any presented document from the relevant organization or issuing authority. You can contact the LBC at (800) ­544­-7693 or (615) 741-­8307 if you have further questions concerning the insurance requirement for contractors. Similarly, you can contact the DCBS at (615) 862-6517 for inquiries on bond requirements. Note that the DCBS also entertains insurance-related questions.