Fence Installation & Repair in Massachusetts

Boundary responsibility depends on your deeds/title, not a universal rule — often each owner maintains one side, or costs are shared for a jointly-owned fence. Talk to your neighbour and check your title before building on a boundary; disputes over line and cost-sharing are the most common fencing headache.

An itemized quote lists: fence type and height, total length, number and type of gates, post material and setting method (concrete vs driven), removal and disposal of the old fence, and whether the price is per linear unit or a lump sum. A one-number quote with no length or material is impossible to compare.

Pressure-treated timber is the cheapest solid privacy option and the most common; chain-link is cheapest overall but offers no privacy; composite and vinyl cost more up front but need almost no maintenance. Choose on lifetime cost — a cheap timber fence you re-stain every two years can cost more over a decade than composite.

Height limits and permit rules vary by locality, and front-boundary fences are often more restricted than rear ones. Corner lots, heritage areas and pool fences have their own rules. Check local height limits and whether a permit is needed before you commit — retrofitting a too-tall fence is expensive.

Setting posts without concrete on a solid fence, no written quote with length and material, vague answers on boundary lines and permits, a large cash deposit before materials arrive, and no photos of past work. Installers who won't discuss the neighbour/boundary question before building are inviting a dispute you'll inherit.

Installed cost runs roughly $15-40 per linear foot for common materials, averaging around $23: chain-link at the low end, wood mid-range, and vinyl or wrought iron $30-85. A typical backyard (about 150 linear feet) commonly lands at $3,000-7,000 installed.