The beautiful part of Florida life is the ease of getting things done. But when it comes to home improvements, a recent state law has thrown the door wide open for anyone to call themselves a “fence installer.” That means the risk to your property, your wallet, and your peace of mind has never been higher.
At Bell and Son Fence Co., Inc., we want every Florida homeowner to know the truth about the recent licensing changes and understand why our commitment to being a licensed State Contractor is now your single most important assurance of quality.
In an effort to streamline state regulations, Florida passed legislation (HB 735 and HB 1383) that has effectively eliminated the mandatory local license for many specialty trades, including fence installation, in many jurisdictions.
What does this mean for you, the homeowner?
| BEFORE the Law Change | NOW (The Wild West) |
|---|---|
| To call yourself a “Fence Contractor,” you often needed a local license, verifying some level of skill, insurance, and professional background. | Anyone with a truck, a saw, and a low price can legally install your fence, regardless of skill, knowledge, or insurance. |
| The city/county had clear standards for who could pull a permit. | The state has lowered the bar, allowing unqualified people to undertake complex home projects. |
The intent may have been to reduce red tape, but the result is a massive consumer protection gap. Your neighbor’s fence could now be installed by a weekend warrior who disappears the moment there is a problem.
When the law removes the guardrails, you need a professional who chooses to maintain them. The standards that Bell and Son Fence Co., Inc. operates under are not just optional extras—they are the non-negotiable foundations of professionalism that protect your investment.
| The Unlicensed Installer | Bell and Son Fence Co., Inc. (Licensed Contractor) |
|---|---|
| THE RISK: A worker falls off a ladder and breaks a leg on your property. They don’t have Workers’ Compensation insurance. | YOUR PROTECTION: Our license requires us to carry Workers’ Comp. Our insurance covers the injury. |
| YOUR EXPOSURE: You could be sued by the worker or their family to cover their medical bills. | YOUR PEACE OF MIND: Your home is shielded from the financial fallout of a worksite accident. |
| The Unlicensed Installer | Bell and Son Fence Co., Inc. (Licensed Contractor) |
|---|---|
| THE RISK: They skip the proper footer depth to save time, or set the fence too close to the property line (violating a setback). | YOUR PROTECTION: We know the local codes (wind-load, setbacks, etc.) backward and forward because our license requires continuing education. |
| YOUR EXPOSURE: A city inspector flags the work. You must pay to tear the fence down and rebuild it, costing you double the price and weeks of delay. | YOUR PEACE OF MIND: We pull the permit, build to code, and manage the inspection to ensure it’s done right the first time. |
For years, Bell and Son Fence Co., Inc. has invested in the rigorous process of maintaining our State Contractor status. That process is our pledge to you.
A cheaper quote from an unlicensed individual is not a good deal—it’s an uninsurable liability. Don’t let Florida’s new law trick you into compromising on the security and value of your home.
Ready to Hire the Professional Standard, Not the Lowest Bid?
Choose Bell and Son Fence Co., Inc., the company that chooses professionalism even when the state no longer requires it.
Call Bell and Son Fence Co., Inc. today for a free, licensed estimate.
