Fence Installation Toronto

A fence defines your property, provides privacy, and takes a beating from Toronto’s weather every single year. When it’s built well, it lasts decades. When it’s built poorly – or when an old one fails and only part of it is addressed – problems compound. At The HandyForce, we build new fences, replace old ones, and do the repair work that most fence contractors won’t take on.

What Makes Us Different - We Do Repairs

Most fence companies in Toronto only build new fences. They’re not interested in replacing a single rotten post, adding a gate to an existing fence, or rebuilding one panel that was damaged in a storm. We are. These are the jobs that actually need doing for most homeowners – and we take them as seriously as a full new build.

Replacing individual rotten posts without touching the rest of the fence
Rebuilding a single panel that failed
Adding or replacing a gate on an existing fence
Shoring and re-levelling a fence that has shifted or leaned
Re-securing fence panels that have come loose from posts

If your fence is mostly fine but has one or two problems, you shouldn’t have to replace the whole thing. We’ll fix what needs fixing.

Fence Materials

Pressure Treated Wood – Most Popular

Pressure treated lumber is the most common fencing material in Toronto. It’s cost-effective, structurally sound, and holds up well to the moisture and freeze-thaw cycles that Toronto winters deliver. We build with brown pressure treated lumber – the same choice we make for decks – and set all posts in concrete footings to ensure the fence doesn’t shift or lean over time. Properly built and maintained, a pressure treated fence lasts 15 to 20 years.

Cedar

Cedar is the premium wood fencing choice – naturally rot-resistant, lightweight, and with a warm colour and grain that pressure treated doesn’t match. Cedar is more expensive than pressure treated, but it accepts stain beautifully and looks better as it ages. For clients who want a wood fence that’s genuinely attractive rather than purely functional, cedar is the right choice.

Composite Fencing

Composite fencing – similar to composite decking in its composition – is increasingly popular for homeowners who want a fence that looks like wood but never needs painting, staining, or rot treatment. The upfront cost is higher than wood, but the maintenance cost over time is essentially zero. Available in a range of colours and profiles.

Chain Link

Chain link fencing is the practical choice for areas where visibility is acceptable and cost is a priority – rear yard boundaries, dog runs, utility areas. We install galvanised and vinyl-coated chain link and repair damaged sections and posts.

Gates

A gate is one of the most common fence additions we install – onto new fences and onto existing ones. We build and hang wood, composite, and metal gates, install hardware, and ensure the gate is properly weighted and hinged to swing freely and latch securely. A gate that sags or doesn’t latch properly is a job we fix as often as we build new ones.

Permits

Fences up to 2 metres (approximately 6.5 feet) in height generally do not require a permit in Toronto. Fences over this height, or fences in certain locations relative to the property line, may require one. We assess permit requirements at the quote stage. For full details, the City of Toronto outlines fence permit requirements on their website.

What's Included

Full fence design and layout
Permit assessment and application where required
Removal and disposal of the old fence
New fence installation – all materials
Post setting in concrete footings
Gate supply, installation, and hardware
Single post replacement
Panel replacement and repair
Fence re-levelling and re-securing
Fence staining and finishing

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Toronto?

For most residential fences up to 2 metres in height, no permit is required. There are exceptions for fences near corner lots, swimming pools, and certain heritage properties. We confirm permit requirements at the quote stage. The City of Toronto website has the full detail.

Can you replace just one rotten fence post without rebuilding the whole fence?

Yes – this is one of the most common fence repairs we do. We remove the failed post, clear the old concrete footing, set a new post in a fresh concrete footing, and reattach the existing panels. If the panels are in good shape, the fence looks and functions exactly as it should. Most fence contractors won’t do this job – we do it all the time.

How long does a wood fence last in Toronto?

A pressure treated fence with posts properly set in concrete typically lasts 15 to 20 years. Cedar lasts similarly but looks better throughout its life. The main failure points are posts that were set without concrete footings (they shift and rot at ground level) and panels that weren’t sealed against moisture. We build to avoid both problems.

Cedar or pressure treated - which should I choose?

Pressure treated if budget is the primary consideration and the fence is primarily functional. Cedar if appearance matters and you’re willing to spend more upfront for a fence that looks genuinely good and accepts stain beautifully. Composite if you want to spend more upfront and never touch it again. We’ll talk through all three at the quote stage and recommend what makes sense for your situation.