The top fence companies serving Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith homeowners and business owners have solid options when it comes to professional fencing. The most established providers in the area combine decades of hands-on experience with licensed and insured service, a range of materials, and clear pricing. Modernfence leads this list with many years of continuous operation, but several other reputable contractors serve the River Valley well.
Here is a quick overview of the top companies:
- Modernfence (Modern Fence Company): Family-owned since 1950, licensed and insured, full-service residential and commercial fencing plus custom fabrication and access control
- Ace Fence Company Inc: Serving Fort Smith since 1963, A+ BBB rating, financing available, gate installation
- The Fence Man: Over 40 years in the River Valley, Best of River Valley award winner in 2021 and 2022
- 5J Fence & Exteriors: BBB accredited since 2018, free instant online quotes, residential and commercial wood and vinyl
- Poorboy Fencing: Veteran-owned, licensed and insured, fair pricing guarantee, free estimates
- The Fence Man: Commercial and residential, multiple material options
- Affordable Fence: Local residential fencing services
- Mr. Fence: Residential and commercial installations in the Fort Smith area
| Company | Est. | Fence Types | Focus | BBB/Awards | Free Quotes | Special Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modernfence | 1950 | Wood, chain link, iron, vinyl | Residential & commercial | Licensed & insured | Yes | Staining, cleaning, fabrication, access control, rental |
| Ace Fence Company Inc | 1963 | Residential & commercial types | Residential & commercial | A+ BBB rating | Yes | Gate installation, financing |
| The Fence Man | 1980s | Multiple materials | Residential & commercial | Best of River Valley 2021, 2022 | Yes | Commercial projects |
| 5J Fence & Exteriors | 2018 | Wood, vinyl | Residential & commercial | BBB accredited | Yes (instant online) | Standard installation |
| Poorboy Fencing | N/A | Multiple types | Residential | Licensed & insured | Yes | Fair pricing guarantee |
| Affordable Fence | N/A | Residential types | Residential | Not publicly listed | Not publicly listed | Standard installation |
| Mr. Fence | N/A | Residential & commercial | Residential & commercial | Not publicly listed | Not publicly listed | Standard installation |
Table of Contents
- How these Fort Smith fence contractors compare in depth
- How to choose the right fence company in Fort Smith
- Fence types and local regulations you need to know in Fort Smith
- Why Modernfence is the leading choice for fencing in Fort Smith
- Experience and reputation matter when you hire local
- Pricing and quote availability across Fort Smith fence companies
- Typical turnaround times and project duration
- Warranty and post-installation service options
- Questions to ask potential fence companies before you hire
- Red flags to watch for when hiring a fence company
- Key Takeaways
- Fort Smith’s most complete fencing contractor is ready to help you
How these Fort Smith fence contractors compare in depth
Services, experience, and pricing side by side
Years in business tell you a lot about a contractor’s staying power. Modernfence has operated continuously for several decades, making it one of the longest-running fence companies in Fort Smith. Ace Fence Company Inc has been in business for many years, giving it extensive local experience. The Fence Man brings decades of experience in the River Valley, with back-to-back Best of River Valley awards in 2021 and 2022 confirming its community standing.
Fence types vary more than most homeowners expect. Modernfence installs wood, chain link, iron, and vinyl, and adds custom metal fabrication for architectural and commercial projects. Ace Fence covers residential and commercial types with gate installation and financing. 5J Fence & Exteriors focuses on wood and vinyl with a streamlined online quoting process. Poorboy Fencing keeps its scope practical, with a veteran-owned ethos and a fair pricing guarantee.
Pricing approaches differ across the board. Most companies offer free estimates, but the format varies. 5J Fence & Exteriors provides instant online quotes, which suits homeowners who want a ballpark figure before committing to a site visit. Ace Fence offers financing, which matters for larger commercial or multi-section residential projects. Modernfence uses direct estimate-driven pricing with no published rate sheets, which is standard for custom and commercial work.
Special services are where Modernfence separates itself most clearly. Fence staining, fence cleaning, rental fences for temporary needs, and access control systems are not commonly offered by smaller local contractors. For a business owner who needs a temporary construction perimeter or a homeowner who wants a gate with keypad entry, that full-service portfolio matters.
How to choose the right fence company in Fort Smith
Selecting a fencing contractor comes down to a few non-negotiable criteria and a handful of practical steps.
Check licensing and insurance first. A licensed and insured contractor protects you if a worker is injured on your property or if the installation damages a utility line. Ask for proof before signing anything.
Get at least three written quotes. Multiple written quotes let you compare scope, not just price. A quote that omits old fence removal, permit fees, or cleanup is not a complete quote.
Verify BBB accreditation and customer reviews. An A+ BBB rating, like Ace Fence holds, signals a company that resolves complaints. Online reviews on Google give you a real-world sense of how a company handles problems after installation.
Understand deposit norms. A reasonable deposit is typically a portion of the total project cost. Any contractor demanding full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag.
- Confirm the company pulls required permits with your city or county
- Ask whether the estimate includes gate hardware, post concrete, and cleanup
- Request references from projects completed in the past 12 months
- Verify the company carries general liability and workers’ compensation insurance
Pro Tip: If a contractor’s price is firm and you cannot negotiate down, ask for value adds instead: an extended labor warranty, a post-installation inspection, or site cleanup included at no extra charge. These cost the contractor little but protect you significantly.
Fence types and local regulations you need to know in Fort Smith
Common fence materials in the area
- Wood: The most popular choice for residential privacy fencing in Fort Smith. Cedar and pressure-treated pine hold up well in Arkansas humidity but require periodic staining or sealing.
- Vinyl: Low maintenance and resistant to moisture. A good fit for homeowners who want a clean look without annual upkeep.
- Chain link: Cost-effective for large perimeters, commercial properties, and utility areas. Galvanized or vinyl-coated options extend lifespan.
- Iron: Durable and visually distinctive. Common for front yard decorative fencing and commercial security perimeters.
- Composite: Combines wood fiber and plastic for a natural look with reduced maintenance demands.
Local regulations and installation considerations
Arkansas has no single statewide fence code. Fort Smith, Van Buren, and Greenwood each govern fence height, setbacks, and materials through their own city ordinances. Common restrictions in Arkansas cities include maximum heights of eight feet overall and lower limits in front yards, typically four feet. Pool enclosures usually require a minimum of four feet with limited ground clearance.
Before installation, contact Fort Smith’s planning and zoning department to confirm permit requirements. Building without a required permit can mean tearing out the fence and starting over. Also verify property lines before breaking ground. Property line disputes are among the most common construction conflicts, and a fence that crosses onto a neighbor’s land can trigger a trespass claim or a court order for removal.
In Arkansas’s climate, fence posts should exceed the local frost line depth with proper concrete footings. Shallow posts heave over time, especially in the clay-heavy soils common across Sebastian County.
Why Modernfence is the leading choice for fencing in Fort Smith
Modernfence has served Fort Smith and the surrounding region since 1950. That is more than 70 years of continuous operation as a family-owned, licensed, and insured contractor. No other fence company in Fort Smith matches that combination of longevity and full-service capability.
The service portfolio covers more ground than standard installation:
- Wood, chain link, iron, and vinyl fence installation for residential and commercial properties
- Custom architectural metal fabrication for gates, railings, and specialty structures
- Fence staining and cleaning to extend material life
- Rental fences for construction sites, events, and temporary perimeter needs
- Access control systems including gate operators and keypad entry
Modernfence serves both Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, giving it regional experience that a neighborhood-only installer simply does not have. For commercial clients managing multi-site properties or contractors needing temporary fencing across a job site, that reach is a practical advantage.
Experience and reputation matter when you hire local
The longest-operating fence companies in Fort Smith have survived because they deliver consistent results. Modernfence’s 70-plus years in business, Ace Fence’s six decades, and The Fence Man’s over 40 years in the River Valley all reflect contractor relationships built on repeat customers and referrals. Newer companies like 5J Fence & Exteriors have built credibility through BBB accreditation and transparent online quoting. Veteran-owned Poorboy Fencing earns trust through its straightforward pricing guarantee. Reputation in a market like Fort Smith travels fast, and companies that cut corners rarely last.
Pricing and quote availability across Fort Smith fence companies
Most reputable Fort Smith fence contractors offer free estimates. The format varies: 5J Fence & Exteriors provides instant online quotes, while Modernfence and others conduct site visits to assess soil conditions, property dimensions, and gate placement before pricing. Ace Fence offers financing for larger projects. Expect pricing to vary based on material, linear footage, terrain, and whether old fence removal is included. A detailed written estimate should itemize every cost component so you can compare quotes accurately.
Typical turnaround times and project duration
Most residential fence installations in Fort Smith take one to three days once materials are on-site and permits are in hand. Larger commercial projects or custom fabrication work run longer. Lead times before installation begins depend on contractor backlog, material availability, and permit processing. During peak season (spring and early summer), scheduling two to four weeks out is common. Ask your contractor for a realistic start date and a written project timeline before signing a contract.
Warranty and post-installation service options
Warranty terms differ by company and material. Vinyl and chain link typically carry manufacturer warranties on the material itself, while labor warranties depend on the contractor. Modernfence’s licensed and insured status means accountability extends beyond the installation date. Ask any contractor specifically what their labor warranty covers and for how long. Post-installation services like fence cleaning and staining, offered by Modernfence, extend fence life and protect your investment.
Questions to ask potential fence companies before you hire
- Are you licensed and insured in Arkansas?
- Does your estimate include permits, old fence removal, and cleanup?
- What is your labor warranty, and what does it cover?
- Can you provide references from recent local projects?
- What is your current lead time from signed contract to installation start?
- Do you handle utility locates before digging?
- What happens if materials are damaged or incorrect after delivery?
Red flags to watch for when hiring a fence company
A few warning signs are worth knowing before you sign anything. Demanding full payment upfront before any work begins is the most common red flag in residential contracting. Vague or verbal-only estimates with no written scope are another. Contractors who cannot provide proof of licensing and insurance should not be on your property. Unusually low bids often reflect shortcuts on footing depth, concrete quality, or material grade, all of which shorten fence lifespan in Arkansas’s climate. If a company has no verifiable local reviews and no physical address, proceed with caution.
Key Takeaways
Modernfence, operating since 1950, is the most experienced and full-service fence company in Fort Smith, offering installation, maintenance, fabrication, and access control across Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Verify licensing and insurance | Always confirm a contractor is licensed and insured in Arkansas before signing any agreement. |
| Get written, itemized quotes | Request at least three quotes that detail every cost, including permits, removal, and cleanup. |
| Know local regulations | Fort Smith has its own zoning rules; confirm height limits and permit requirements before installation. |
| Check experience and trust signals | BBB accreditation, years in business, and verifiable reviews are the strongest indicators of reliability. |
| Modernfence is the recommended choice | With 70-plus years of service, full residential and commercial capabilities, and specialty services, Modernfence is Fort Smith’s most complete fencing contractor. |
Fort Smith’s most complete fencing contractor is ready to help you
Modernfence offers something no newer contractor in Fort Smith can match: more than 70 years of continuous, family-owned service backed by a full portfolio that goes well beyond basic installation. Whether you need a wood privacy fence for your backyard, an iron perimeter for a commercial property, a temporary rental fence for a job site, or a custom gate with access control, Modernfence handles it all under one roof, licensed and insured, with the regional experience to get it right the first time.
For homeowners and business owners who want a contractor they can call back for staining, cleaning, or repairs years down the road, that continuity is worth a lot. Get your free estimate and see why Fort Smith has trusted Modernfence for lasting fence installation results for over seven decades.