The Ranking
Our top 6 fence companies in Edmonton
Building a fence in Edmonton starts below the ground. Much of the city sits on heavy clay, and winter frost reaches deep enough to lift a post that was set too shallow. Posts that heave show up in spring as leaning panels and gates that no longer latch, which is why the first question for any fence company here should be how deep it sets posts and what it sets them in. Most crews pour concrete footings. Cavalry Fence, on this list, drives galvanized steel posts instead and argues that the method copes better with frost heave. Wind matters too: a solid six foot privacy fence acts like a sail in a summer thunderstorm, so post spacing and rail size count for more than the panel style.
The common materials are pressure treated spruce and cedar for wood fences, vinyl for low maintenance privacy, galvanized or black coated chain link for budget and pet fencing, and ornamental aluminum or steel for front yards. Vinyl gets brittle in deep cold, so ask whether the product is rated for it and how the manufacturer warranty is registered. Many newer Edmonton neighbourhoods also have architectural guidelines from the developer or a homeowners association that set fence style, height or colour, so check those before you pick a material.
The City of Edmonton requires a development permit only for over height fences. Under Zoning Bylaw 20001, a fence at ground level needs a permit if it is taller than 2.0 metres (6 feet 7 inches) in a rear or interior side yard, or taller than 1.3 metres (4 feet 3 inches) in a front yard or flanking side yard next to a street. The permit fee listed by the City is $195. A building permit is not needed for an ordinary fence, but fencing or screening built as part of a swimming pool or hot tub does need one, and pool barriers have their own requirements. The City also advises using a Real Property Report to find your property lines before you build, which avoids disputes with neighbours and encroachment onto City land.
Before any post hole is dug, the contractor or homeowner should request a free locate through Utility Safety Partners, Alberta's call or click before you dig service. Gas, power and fibre lines often run along back lot lines exactly where fences go.
Alberta has no provincial licence specific to fence builders. Service Alberta does require a prepaid contractor licence for businesses that take payment before a home project is finished, so if a fence company asks for a deposit, ask for its licence number and check it with Service Alberta. Also ask for a certificate of liability insurance and WCB clearance, and get the post depth, material grade, gate hardware and warranty in the written quote.
