These are the questions Fargo-area homeowners ask us most. Where the honest answer is "it depends," we say so and explain what it depends on, rather than guessing at a number for a project nobody has seen.
Fencing questions, answered straight
Do you install fences yourselves?
No. Fargo Fencing Experts is a referral service. We connect you with a local, independent fencing contractor who works in your area; that installer quotes and installs the fence, not us.
Is there a cost to request a quote?
No. Requesting a quote through this site is free and creates no obligation to hire anyone.
How much does a fence cost in Fargo?
It depends on fence type, material, linear footage, gate count, terrain and what the installer finds once they've seen the property. Any specific number on a website would be a guess about a project nobody has seen. A local installer can give you a real, written quote.
How fast will a local installer contact me?
Typically within a business day of your request. If your project is time-sensitive, call the number on this site and say so directly.
Do you cover both North Dakota and Minnesota?
Yes. We connect homeowners in Cass County, North Dakota and Clay and Norman County, Minnesota, since the Fargo-Moorhead area straddles the Red River.
Why do fence posts lean or heave in the Fargo area?
Mostly the clay. Most of Cass County sits in the former bed of Glacial Lake Agassiz, and the clay left behind — Fargo clay and Bearden clay loam — is expansive: it swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and that cycle repeats every year. A post set too shallow or backfilled with plain excavated clay gets pushed and pulled by that cycle. It's a soil and frost problem more than a workmanship problem, though depth and backfill material both matter a great deal.
What frost depth do fence posts need in Fargo?
It depends on jurisdiction. North Dakota's statewide amendment sets a 60-inch minimum footing depth; the City of Fargo's own locally inspected standard is 54 inches, and West Fargo uses the same 54-inch figure. Confirm which applies to your specific address.
Does my fence need a permit?
It depends on your city, the fence height, and sometimes the material. Confirm directly with your local building department, or ask your installer to confirm as part of the quote.
Do I need a survey before installing a fence on my property line?
If there's any doubt about exactly where the line sits, yes. Old fence lines and informal landmarks don't always match the current surveyed boundary, and a dispute after installation is a far more expensive problem than a survey up front.
Does my HOA's approval matter more than the city permit?
Both usually matter, and they're separate approvals. An HOA can restrict height, material and even color beyond what the city otherwise allows. Get written HOA approval before ordering materials.
Are there height restrictions for corner lots?
Often, yes, for sightline safety near an intersection, separate from any HOA rule. The exact height and setback vary by jurisdiction, so confirm with your local building department before finalizing post layout.
How does wind affect fence installation here?
Fargo sits on open prairie with very little to break the wind, and average wind speeds run higher in winter than summer, with October typically the windiest month. A solid privacy panel catches far more wind load than an open style of the same height, which affects post spacing and, on exposed lots, whether extra bracing is needed.
Does snow drift damage fences?
North Dakota averages two to three blizzards a year, and Fargo sees roughly 49 inches of snow annually — usually dry, light snow that drifts hard against anything solid. A fence built to the correct frost depth generally handles normal drift load fine; the bigger practical issue is usually gate clearance for snow removal.
Do I need a utility locate before installing a fence?
Yes, before any post goes in the ground anywhere in North Dakota, state law requires a free utility locate through North Dakota One Call (811), with at least two full business days notice before digging. Minnesota has its own similar one-call requirement on that side of the river.
Is a contractor license required for fencing work in North Dakota?
Any contractor whose job is valued over $4,000 has to hold a North Dakota contractor license, issued by the Secretary of State through the FirstStop portal. See our ND & MN Contractor Rules page for how to check a specific contractor's license yourself.
Is a contractor license required for fencing work in Minnesota?
It depends on the scope and the contractor's annual receipts from specialty work. Minnesota generally requires a residential building contractor or remodeler license above a $15,000 annual receipts threshold for certain residential construction work, though specialty contractors performing only one skill, which can include fencing, are often exempt. See our ND & MN Contractor Rules page for detail.
Does North Dakota's contractor license apply in Minnesota, or vice versa?
No. The two states license contractors separately. A contractor licensed in North Dakota is not automatically licensed to work in Minnesota, and vice versa.
What's the difference between wood, vinyl, aluminum and chain link fencing?
Wood offers a traditional look but needs periodic staining or sealing. Vinyl needs little maintenance but should be a cold-rated formulation for this climate. Aluminum and ornamental metal resist corrosion well and suit front yards and pool enclosures. Chain link is the lowest-cost, lowest-maintenance option for a clear boundary rather than privacy. See our services pages for detail on each.
Can fencing be installed in winter here?
It depends on ground conditions. Digging to a 54- or 60-inch footing depth through fully frozen ground is difficult or impractical, so most post-set fence installation is scheduled for a window when the ground isn't frozen solid. Ask a local installer about their season.
What does a pool fence need to meet code?
Most municipal pool fence codes call for a minimum height (commonly around 48 inches), self-closing and self-latching gate hardware out of a child's reach, and no footholds a child could climb. Confirm the exact ordinance for your address with your local building department, since requirements vary.
Is electric fencing legal for livestock in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota Century Code chapter 47-26 recognizes electric fencing, along with wood, board and wire fencing, as a lawful fence type for livestock containment when properly constructed and maintained.
Who maintains a boundary fence between two properties in North Dakota?
Generally, adjoining landowners share responsibility for a boundary fence under North Dakota law, unless one elects to leave their land unfenced. Disputes in organized townships go through the township supervisors acting as fence viewers.
Does Minnesota have the same fence law as North Dakota?
No. Minnesota has its own separate fence and livestock statutes, distinct from North Dakota's chapter 47-26 framework. If your project is agricultural and on the Minnesota side of the river, confirm the Minnesota-specific rules that apply.
How do I check whether a fencing contractor is actually licensed?
In North Dakota, you can check a contractor's license status through the Secretary of State's public contractor license records. In Minnesota, the Department of Labor and Industry maintains license lookup records for residential building contractors and remodelers. Our ND & MN Contractor Rules page walks through both.
Should I get more than one quote?
Yes, and compare scope rather than just price. Ask every installer about post depth, backfill material, gate hardware, whether wind bracing is included on exposed lots, and whether the quote is itemized rather than a single lump sum.
What's the actual cost driver in most fencing quotes?
Total linear footage matters most, followed by material choice, number of gates and corners (which cost more in labor and footing than straight runs), and site-specific factors like slope, tree roots, or soil conditions.
Does a new-construction lot need different fencing than an established one?
Sometimes. Recently graded fill soil around a new build doesn't always settle the way undisturbed ground does in the first couple of years, which is worth raising with your installer for post stability.
Can the same installer handle both residential and farm fencing?
Many can, but not all, since agricultural fencing involves different scale, bracing needs, and sometimes the legal requirements for a lawful livestock fence. Be specific about your project scope when requesting a quote so you're matched appropriately.
What should I do if I think my new fence is already leaning?
Ask the installer directly what post depth and backfill material were used and whether it matches what was quoted. In this region, a lean within the first couple of seasons often points to insufficient depth or backfill that lets the clay grip and move the post; it's a fair thing to raise.
Still have a question, or ready for a quote? A local installer is one call away.
(701) 450-9001