Fence Installation in Edmonton
MLW Contracting provides fence installation in Edmonton for homeowners who need a fence that sits on the right line, stays straight through our winters and meets city bylaws. A good fence is more than posts and panels. Property lines, height limits, clay soils and frost all have to be planned for before the first post hole is dug.
Our journeyman and apprentice carpenters build privacy, boundary and utility fences across Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Parkland County, setting every post deep enough to resist frost heave so the fence stays level and secure for years of seasonal weather and daily use.
What Our Fence Construction Services Include
Every fence project starts by confirming where the property line is and where the fence can legally sit. From there, MLW Contracting plans post spacing, gate locations and the height of each section so the fence works with your yard, your neighbours and the bylaw.
A typical installation includes utility locates, layout and staking, digging and setting posts in concrete, building the rails and framing, installing the boards or panels, and hanging gates that swing and latch properly. If you are building a deck at the same time, we plan the two together so the layouts line up, as covered in our guide to planning a backyard deck and fence project.
Types of Fences We Install
Privacy and Security Fences
Solid board or panel fences around the backyard that block sightlines from neighbours and the street, usually built to the full 1.85 m allowed in side and rear yards. Closely spaced boards, sturdy rails and lockable gates keep kids and pets in and unwanted visitors out.
Decorative and Boundary Fences
Lower, more open fences that mark the property line or frame the front yard, kept within the 1.2 m front-yard limit. Accurate layout matters most here, since a boundary fence that wanders onto a neighbour’s lot can mean tearing it out later.
Functional and Utility Fencing
Fencing that encloses a specific area, such as a dog run, garden, side yard or equipment space, with gates placed where you actually need access. These sections are built for daily use and heavy wear rather than looks alone.
Property Lines, Bylaws, and Height Restrictions
Fences in Edmonton have to sit on your side of the property line and stay within the height limits set by the City’s zoning rules. On most residential lots, fences in the front yard are limited to about 1.2 m and fences in side and rear yards to about 1.85 m, measured from the ground near the property line. Going higher normally needs a development permit, and corner lots have extra limits near the corner to keep sightlines clear for drivers.
Rules can vary by zone and change over time, so MLW Contracting confirms the current requirements for your address before construction, uses your Real Property Report or survey to locate the line, and recommends talking with your neighbour before a shared boundary fence goes up.
Ground Conditions and Post Installation
Post Depth and Stability
Edmonton’s clay soils swell when wet and shrink when dry, and frost can push shallow posts up out of the ground. We set fence posts deep, typically around 4 feet, in concrete so they stay anchored through seasonal soil movement.
Freeze-Thaw Protection
Water that sits around a post freezes and lifts it. A gravel base under each post, concrete crowned to shed water away from the wood, and consistent post spacing help the fence stay straight through repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Climate-Rated Installation
Pressure-treated or rot-resistant posts, galvanized or coated fasteners, and boards kept off the soil all help a fence handle Edmonton’s snow, spring melt and summer heat without warping or rusting out early.
Utility Locates Before Digging
Gas, power, water and communication lines often run near property lines. We request utility locates before any post holes are dug so the installation is safe and nothing underground is damaged.
Durability and Maintenance Considerations
How long a fence lasts depends on the material and how well it was installed. A well-built wood fence typically lasts many years, and vinyl and metal fences can last longer with less upkeep, but any fence fails early if the posts are shallow, water pools at the base or the framing is undersized. Our comparison of wood, vinyl and metal fencing in Edmonton covers the material side in more detail.
Wood fences last longest when they are stained or sealed every few years, kept clear of soil, snow piles and sprinklers, and checked each spring for loose boards, popped fasteners and gates that have started to sag. Catching these early is much cheaper than replacing a whole section, and our guide to how long decks and fences last in Edmonton explains when repair stops making sense.
Our Fence Installation Process
We start by walking the property with you, confirming the fence line, height and gate locations, and requesting utility locates so nothing underground is hit when we dig.
Posts are then marked, dug and set in concrete, and left to cure before the rails and boards go on. Once the frame is complete, we install the panels or boards and hang the gates, checking that every section is plumb, level and aligned with the property line.
Most residential fences take one to three days of on-site work, plus time for the concrete to set. Longer runs, sloped yards, hard digging or extra gates can add time, and we confirm the schedule with you before work starts.
Why Homeowners Trust MLW for Fence Installation
A fence only stays straight if the parts you cannot see are built right. Shallow posts, concrete that holds water against the wood, wide post spacing and the wrong fasteners are what cause leaning posts, sagging rails and shifting panels within a few winters.
MLW Contracting brings more than 45 years of combined experience to every fence. We are licensed, insured and bonded, our team is covered by WCB, and the same carpenters who build our custom decks and exterior renovations handle the layout, posts and finishing on your fence.
Homeowners planning a fence project can work with MLW Contracting to confirm placement, choose the right fence type and schedule the installation.
Ready to Plan Your Fence Installation?
Book a free estimate and we will review your property line, the height limits that apply, ground conditions and the fence style that fits your yard.
