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Can You Hire an Unlicensed Fence Contractor in Florida?

All fencing contractors in Florida must be licensed. In Sarasota County, Building and Licensing Enforcement officials are required to ensure that all fencing contractors are licensed and issue citations for unlicensed work. Hiring an unlicensed contractor of any type in Florida can result in civil penalties, hefty fines, and liability for any damage caused by the contractor’s work. Not only is unlicensed and unpermitted construction illegal in Sarasota County, but it can also end up costing you much more than the contractor’s initial estimate. If you hire a fencing contractor without a license, you could be responsible for: Injuries An unlicensed contractor can sue you for the cost of the medical bills, missed work, and punitive damages if injured while working on your property’s fencing. This can add thousands of dollars to the project’s expenses, far surpassing the cost of hiring a reputable, licensed contractor. Liability for injury to any of the contractor’s assistants is also yours, as well as any injuries sustained by others because of the contractor’s negligence. Licensed contractors carry bonds, insurance, and worker’s compensation coverage to handle these situations; an unlicensed contractor is unlikely to have any of these safeguards in place. Damages An unlicensed contractor has no obligation to repair anything they damage, whether it belongs to you, your neighbor, or someone else. Damage to your own or neighboring properties due to the unlicensed contractor’s negligence will be your responsibility. Just like with injuries, damage claims can add thousands to your fencing project cost. Poor Quality Work If the work performed by an unlicensed contractor is subpar, it could actually decrease your property’s value. A leaning, unstable fence is a safety hazard that any potential buyer will have to pay to remove. No matter how much you spend on the fencing material, improper installation will ruin the project and can cost thousands to repair. If the contractor was unlicensed, you’ll have no recourse to get them to repair their shoddy work. Reporting an unlicensed contractor to Building & Licensing Enforcement will do no good since they do not possess a license to suspend or revoke. You can sue the contractor in civil court, but after the time and cost are considered, you may still end up in a hole. Hire a reputable, licensed fencing contractor from the beginning and save yourself from some serious headaches later on. At West Florida Fence, we are fully licensed, insured, and bonded as required by Sarasota County and Florida state law. We specialize in commercial fencing projects big and small. Call us at (813) 213-3297 today for a safe and attractive fencing solution for your business.All fencing contractors in Florida must be licensed. In Sarasota County, Building and Licensing Enforcement officials are required to ensure that all fencing contractors are licensed and issue citations for unlicensed work. Hiring an unlicensed contractor of any type in Florida can result in civil penalties, hefty fines, and liability for any damage caused by the contractor’s work. Not only is unlicensed and unpermitted construction illegal in Sarasota County, but it can also end up costing you much more than the contractor’s initial estimate. If you hire a fencing contractor without a license, you could be responsible for: (more…)

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Why You Should Use Concrete For Fence Posts

Concrete For Fence PostsThere is a reason why concrete is the go-to for installing fence posts. Its tried-and-true results can be done by anyone, from a DIY weekend warrior to a seasoned construction professional. The main reasons for choosing concrete to set your fence posts are:

  • Sturdiness

Installing fence posts into below-ground concrete footings adds a lot of weight and increases the entire fence structure’s sturdiness. Here in Florida, our loose, sandy soil adds another element of instability for businesses looking to install commercial fencing. Further complicating matters are our frequent high winds, both from hurricanes and coastal wind patterns. Fences mounted in concrete are proven to move less in unstable soil and high winds than other mounting systems. (more…)

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Benefits of Installing a Security Fence for Your Business

In addition to the security cameras you use to monitor your business and watch for criminals, you should also consider installing a security fence. There are many reasons that a business of any size can benefit from the additional layer of safety provided by a security fence or gate. 

Whether you’re currently attempting to deter crime or want to stop the problem before it begins, consider these benefits of installing a security fence around your business. 

A Strong Foundation

Every great security fence starts with a permanent concrete foundation. This foundation will prevent the fence from being knocked over, blown over, or otherwise damaged. In addition to a strong foundation, a high-quality security fence will also be made of materials like aluminum and other durable choices that can withstand just about any form of pressure or damage.  (more…)

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4 Things To Consider Before Installing Fencing at Your Home

Building a fence in your yard can’t be done on a whim. It requires careful planning and consideration. 

Stories hit the news on a daily basis that tell of different homeowners, farmers, and commercial companies that built fences only to get in trouble from the local, state, or federal government due to improper fence placement, height, or construction. 

You don’t want all of your hard work to turn into a headache, so be sure to consider these factors before installing fencing at your home.  (more…)

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The Best Fence Types for Hurricane Season

Is this your first hurricane season in Florida? If so, you may just be realizing how damaging the high winds, even just from severe storms, can be to your fencing. Many Florida homeowners find themselves repairing their fence annually with more frequent replacements than other areas of the country.

If you want to protect yourself from future expensive fence repairs, your best bet is to go with one of these more sturdy fencing options.

Concrete posts

Concrete posts are the way to go in areas that can get very windy. The concrete gives your fence a lot more stability, and it’s harder for hurricanes or high winds to pull it down. (more…)

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Figuring Out the Best Fence Height for Your Property

Have you been agonizing over how high to have your fence? The right fence height should be based on several different factors that will be unique for every household or business. Here are the top things to consider when planning a fence for your Florida property.

Know Your Available Fence Height Range

You might have a fence height range in mind going into the planning stages. But when it boils down to it, you’re not really in charge of the range of heights you can choose from. You may be legally limited in how high your fence can be, although there usually is not a set minimum height. Your fence height could be dictated by: (more…)

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Prepare for a Social Distancing Halloween with a New Privacy Fence

There are a lot of home improvements you might be working on since you’re stuck at home anyway, but a privacy fence should be number one on your list. Here’s just one reason why.

Halloween is just around the corner, and a lot of people are pretty upset. The pandemic seems to be putting a stop to a lot of the get togethers that people normally have throughout the year, and Halloween is one of the most popular.

But even though the packed parties, homemade haunted houses, apple bobbing, and trick or treating seems to be cancelled this year, that doesn’t mean you can’t mark the holiday in your own way. (more…)

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The Most Common Reasons for Installing a Fence

There are a lot of different reasons that you might want to install a new fence around your property. Sometimes the decision of whether or not to install a fence depends on several factors, such as the requirements of the homeowners’ association or local government requirements, but having a fence can serve many purposes.

Keeping Pets and Children Protected

If you have pets or children, a fenced in yard is a great way to protect them. Your pets will be able to get exercise and have some limited freedom when you have a fenced-in yard. You will also be able to keep a closer eye on your children without having to worry about passing strangers or them wandering off. (more…)

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How to Talk to Your Neighbors About a Privacy Fence

Having a privacy fence installed around your property can be a big undertaking. Depending on where you live, you may need to get permission from your homeowners’ or neighborhood association. Even if you have no such association to answer to, it can be very beneficial to talk to your neighbors on all sides before installing a fence. Here’s what you need to know to succeed in these conversations.

Boundary Issues

Are you certain that you know where your property line is? If not, you need to contact a surveyor to get a legal description of the property and boundaries marked. This will ensure that your neighbors cannot sue you for encroaching on their property with your privacy fence. If you and your neighbor agree on the boundaries, a surveyor may not be necessary. (more…)

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Fence Building Neighborhood Etiquette

Are you thinking about adding a fence around your property? If so, when you are considering what type of fence you want to install, you need to consider your neighbors. Installing a barbed wire fence in the middle of suburbia, for example, probably wouldn’t go over very well. It is important that you take your neighbors into consideration and make sure that you are not violating any regulations.

Property Lines

If you are not 100 percent sure about where the property line is between you and your neighbor, you need to contact a surveyor to come out and mark the boundary. In fact, you should get a surveyor even if you and your neighbor agree as to where the boundary is. If your neighbor ever sells the house and the new owners make an issue, you need to be able to legally stand your ground for placement of the fence. (more…)

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