FAQ
If you’ve been putting off a fence project because you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone. Most homeowners have the same questions before their first installation. We’ve answered all of them here, organized by topic, so you can walk into your estimate knowing exactly what to expect.
If your question isn’t covered below, reach out directly and we’ll get you a straight answer.
Getting Started
How do I get a quote from Big Florida Fencing?
Request a free estimate through our online form or give us a call. We come to your property, walk the yard with you, measure the full perimeter, and provide a written quote before we leave. No charge, no obligation.
What information should I have ready before my estimate? A rough sense of what you’re looking for, fence type, approximate height, and which areas of your yard you want enclosed. If you have a property survey, bring it along, but it’s not required. If your neighborhood has an HOA, having your governing documents handy helps us identify any style or material requirements upfront.
How long does it take from estimate to installation? It depends on whether your project needs a county permit and whether HOA approval is required. Standard residential permits in most Florida counties take 5–15 business days. HOA reviews typically take 2–6 weeks. Once all approvals are in hand, most installations are scheduled and completed within 1–2 weeks. We give you a realistic timeline at your estimate, not an optimistic one.
What areas do you serve? We serve homeowners across Florida, including Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, Port St. Lucie, Tallahassee, and surrounding communities. We handle permits in Hillsborough, Duval, Orange, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Broward, St. Johns, and surrounding counties. Not sure if we cover your area? Reach out and we’ll confirm.
Permits and HOA
Do I need a permit for a fence in Florida? Most Florida counties require a permit for fences over 4 feet in height. Some counties, including Miami-Dade and Broward, require permits for all fence installations regardless of height. Requirements also vary by city within a county. Big Florida Fencing pulls every required permit on every project. It’s included in your project scope, not a separate add-on fee.
How long does the permit process take in Florida? Most Florida counties process standard residential fence permits in 5–15 business days. Miami-Dade and Broward can take longer. We factor permit timelines into your project schedule upfront so there are no surprises.
What happens if I skip the permit? If a required permit is bypassed, you risk code violation notices, fines, and potentially being required to remove or relocate the fence at your own expense. Unpermitted fencing can also delay or complicate the sale of your home. We handle the permits so you never have to worry about this.
Do I need HOA approval before installing a fence? If you live in an HOA community, yes, and you need HOA approval before applying for a county permit. Your HOA’s Architectural Review Committee (ARC) reviews the proposed style, material, color, and height. Big Florida Fencing prepares the complete submittal package, material spec sheets, site diagrams, and product photos, as part of every project. No extra fee.
Does HOA approval replace the need for a county permit? No. They’re entirely separate processes. HOA approval covers community aesthetic standards. A county permit covers building codes, setbacks, and safety compliance. You need both, in that order. HOA approval first, then county permit.
Can my HOA prohibit a certain fence material entirely? Yes. Florida HOAs have broad authority under their governing documents to specify permitted materials. Some communities, particularly newer developments, prohibit wood entirely and require vinyl or aluminum. Always review your CC&Rs before choosing a material. We’ll help you navigate this during your estimate consultation.
Cost and Pricing
How much does a fence cost in Florida?
Installed cost per linear foot varies by material and style. As a general guide: chain link runs $12–$32, wood privacy runs $20–$45, vinyl runs $28–$48, and aluminum runs $28–$60 per linear foot installed. A typical 150-linear-foot backyard project including one gate runs $3,000–$6,500 depending on the material. We provide written quotes with itemized pricing, no vague ranges that expand into surprises at invoicing.
What affects the total cost of a project?
The biggest variables are fence material, height, style, number of gates, terrain and grade changes, whether existing fencing needs to be removed, and county permit fees. Old fence removal typically adds $3–$6 per linear foot. Gates add $250–$600 each depending on width and hardware. Permit fees generally run $75–$200 depending on your county.
Can I get a rough estimate without an on-site visit?
We can give you a rough ballpark over the phone based on your approximate linear footage and material preference, but an accurate quote requires an on-site measurement. Terrain, HOA requirements, gate placement, and site conditions all affect the final number in ways that aren’t visible without seeing the yard.
Materials and Products
What fence materials do you install?
We install wood (pressure-treated pine, cedar, and composite), vinyl/PVC, aluminum, chain link, and pool-specific barrier fencing. Each material has real strengths for different applications, budgets, and Florida climate zones. We’ll walk you through an honest comparison at your estimate so you can make the right call for your situation.
Which fence material lasts longest in Florida?
Quality vinyl and aluminum have the longest lifespans in Florida’s climate, typically 25–30+ years. Wood lasts 10–20 years depending on species and maintenance. Chain link lasts 15–25 years depending on coating and proximity to salt air. The right choice for you depends on your location, maintenance preferences, HOA requirements, and how long you plan to stay in the home. We’ll be straight with you about all of it.
Is wood or vinyl better for Florida?
It depends on your priorities. Wood costs less upfront but requires staining every 2–3 years and typically needs replacing in 10–15 years. Vinyl costs more upfront but asks almost nothing of you after installation and lasts 25–30 years. For long-term homeowners, vinyl often comes out ahead on total cost of ownership. For shorter-term ownership or homeowners who genuinely love the look of natural wood and will stay on top of maintenance, wood is a solid choice, just go in with clear eyes about the upkeep Florida requires.
What quality of materials do you use?
We source materials from manufacturers with documented specifications. For vinyl, that means UV stabilizers compounded into the PVC resin, not surface-applied, which is the only way to maintain structural integrity under Florida’s intense sun over the long term. For chain link, properly rated galvanization. For aluminum, factory powder-coated finishes from reputable suppliers. We’ll show you the product spec sheets at your estimate. You should always know exactly what’s going into your yard.
Pool Fencing
Is a pool fence required by law in Florida?
Yes. Florida Statute 515 requires all residential swimming pools to have a barrier meeting specific code requirements. New pools can’t receive a certificate of occupancy without a passing pool barrier inspection. Existing pools without a compliant barrier are in violation of Florida law, and more importantly, they present a genuine safety risk. If your pool doesn’t currently have a code-compliant barrier, this is something worth addressing soon.
What are the pool fence requirements in Florida?
Florida law requires pool barriers to be a minimum of 4 feet in height on the outside of the barrier, with openings no wider than 4 inches, and with gates that are self-closing and self-latching. Gate latches must be positioned to prevent young children from reaching them. Big Florida Fencing installs every pool barrier to current code and coordinates the required county inspection, we don’t leave until it passes.
What types of pool fencing do you install? We install aluminum pool fence, vinyl pool fence, and removable mesh pool fence systems. All are available in code-compliant configurations. Aluminum is the most popular choice in Florida, it’s rust-resistant, low-maintenance, and available in black and bronze finishes that complement most pool deck materials.
Do pool fences require a separate permit? Yes. A pool barrier permit is required and is separate from a general fence permit. It includes a post-installation inspection by a county inspector to verify code compliance. Big Florida Fencing handles the pool barrier permit and schedules the inspection. One of our installers is present for every inspection, we don’t leave you to navigate that process alone.
Installation Process
How long does installation take?
Most residential fence installations are completed in one day. Larger projects or those involving multiple materials, complex terrain, or concrete cure time may span two days. Pool barrier installations that require a county inspection may add a day or two to the overall timeline depending on inspector scheduling in your county.
Do you need to dig on my property?
Yes, post holes are required for any fence installation. Before any digging begins, we call Sunshine 811 to have underground utilities marked on your property. This protects your gas, water, and electrical lines and is a standard part of our process on every job.
How deep are your fence posts set?
We set posts 36–42 inches deep in concrete, which is the appropriate depth for Florida’s sandy coastal soils. Post depth is the single biggest factor in how long a fence holds up in Florida, posts set too shallow are the most common cause of premature failure we see on repair calls. We don’t cut corners here.
Will you clean up after the installation?
Yes, completely. All excavated material, post hole spoils, packaging, and construction debris are removed from your property before we leave. We do a final walkthrough with you before we pack up to make sure you’re satisfied and aware of any care or maintenance guidance relevant to your new fence.
Storm Damage and Repairs
Does homeowner’s insurance cover fence damage from a storm?
Many standard Florida homeowner’s insurance policies cover fence damage caused by wind, storms, and falling trees, subject to your coverage, deductibles, and policy exclusions. We provide written, itemized repair estimates formatted for insurance claim submission. We’re not insurance advisors, so verify your specific coverage with your insurer, but we’re here to help with the documentation side.
What should I do if my fence is damaged by a hurricane?
Before anything else, walk the full fence line and photograph every point of damage, date-stamped photos are important for insurance documentation. Don’t make permanent repairs before an insurance adjuster visits, if applicable. Once you’re ready to move forward, contact us for an assessment. We’re experienced with post-storm fence repair across Florida and know how to document damage in the format insurance adjusters need.
How do I know if my fence needs repair or full replacement?
If damage or deterioration is isolated to one or two sections and the rest of the fence is structurally sound, repair is almost always the right call. If you’re seeing problems across multiple sections, soft posts in several locations, widespread rot, or repair costs approaching 50–60% of full replacement cost, replacement is usually the better long-term investment. We give you both quotes and an honest recommendation so you can make an informed decision. We don’t push replacement when repair makes sense, and we won’t recommend patchwork on a fence that’s at end of life.
Do you repair fences you didn’t install?
Yes. We repair wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain link, and pool fencing regardless of who originally installed it.
Warranties and Guarantees
What if I’m not satisfied with the installation?
We do a walkthrough with you before we leave every job. If something isn’t right, we want to know about it and address it. Our goal is that you’re confident in your fence and comfortable calling us if anything comes up.
Still Have Questions?
There’s no such thing as a question that’s too basic when it comes to a project you’re investing in. If something isn’t covered here, send us a message or give us a call. We’re happy to talk through your situation before you ever commit to an estimate.
Request your free quote today.
Disclaimer: Permit requirements, pool barrier codes, and HOA rules vary by location and are subject to change. The information above reflects general conditions as understood at time of publication. Big Florida Fencing recommends verifying all current local requirements before beginning any fence project.