Plano, Frisco, McKinney: Why Your Fence Takes Longer Than You Think (And How to Speed It Up)

Calling fence companies and getting vague answers about start dates?

Homeowners in Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and Allen reach out to Top Rail Fences North Dallas because they need straight answers. You're done with "we'll get back to you" and "probably next week."

Here's what actually controls fence installation timelines in North Dallas—and how to get on the schedule faster.

North Dallas Fence Installation Timeline

Plan on 3-5 weeks from your first call to finished fence in Plano, Frisco, McKinney, or Allen. North Dallas cities enforce stricter permitting than many surrounding areas.

Week 1-2: Permits and HOA Approvals Plano, Frisco, and McKinney require permits for most residential fences. Processing takes 5-10 business days. HOA communities—extremely common in North Dallas—add another 1-3 weeks for architectural review.

Week 2-4: Scheduling Your installation date depends on our schedule and weather forecasts. Plano, Frisco, and McKinney see heavy demand March through November.

Installation: 1-3 days Most residential fences install in 1-3 days once we start. Top Rail Fences works fast—efficient crews, quality materials, zero delays from permit issues.

What Controls Your Timeline

Permit Requirements Vary By City

North Dallas cities don't mess around with fence permits. Each city has different rules—what's legal in Plano might violate height restrictions in Richardson.

Plano: Requires permits for most fences. Fences over 8 feet need Board of Adjustments approval. Frisco: Similar to Plano with strict HOA oversight. McKinney: Permit requirements plus unique corner lot restrictions. Allen: 5-7 days typical processing.

Processing takes 1-4 weeks for approval with fees ranging from $25-$150.

Your move: We handle all permit paperwork. Just sign where we tell you.

HOA Rules Dominate

Nearly every neighborhood in Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and Allen has an HOA. Most architectural review committees meet monthly—miss their meeting and you're waiting 2-4 weeks.

Common restrictions: specific materials only, height limits, style requirements, color approvals.

Your move: Get HOA guidelines before you call us. We'll design within their rules the first time.

Seasonal Demand Hits Hard

Spring and fall crush fence companies serving North Dallas. We're booking 4-5 weeks out during peak seasons.

Best times: Winter (2-3 weeks), Summer (3-4 weeks), Spring/Fall (4-5 weeks).

Your move: Winter installs skip the wait. We work year-round with full crews.

Weather and Property Factors

Spring storms saturate clay soil—we'll reschedule rather than compromise installation quality.

Our site inspection catches: Texas utility marking (2-3 days required by law), property surveys (get one if needed for permits), existing fence removal (adds 1-2 days).

Your move: Locate your property survey before calling. Clear the fence line of landscaping.

Material Choices

Stock materials ship in days. Custom orders add time: special vinyl colors (1-2 weeks), ornamental iron designs (2-4 weeks), premium cedar (1-2 weeks).

Your move: Stock materials ship fastest. Custom orders add 1-4 weeks but deliver exactly the look you want.

Jump the Line: Three Ways

Book winter installations. December through February moves fastest. Everyone books spring fences—smart homeowners get winter installs.

Know your HOA rules cold. Submit complete applications the first time. Resubmissions add another full review cycle (2-4 weeks).

Make fast decisions. Changing your mind after we submit permits restarts the clock.

Common Questions

Why does Plano take 3-5 weeks? Stricter permits plus HOA approvals in nearly every neighborhood.

Can you start in one day? Not in Plano, Frisco, or McKinney. Permits are required, and we follow the law.

Do I need a permit for a backyard fence? In most North Dallas cities, yes. Skipping permits risks fines and forced removal.

Can I speed things up? Book off-season, have your survey and HOA guidelines ready, make quick decisions.

Why Top Rail Fences Works Fast Without Cutting Corners

Top Rail Fences moves faster than most fence companies in North Dallas because we know the permit process inside and out. We follow the rules, pull necessary permits, and do it right the first time—no delays from permit rejections or failed inspections.

Our speed comes from experience, not shortcuts. Weather or permit delays? You hear from Top Rail Fences same-day with a new plan.

Get Started

Top Rail Fences serves Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Richardson, Prosper, Celina, The Colony, and all of North Dallas with quality installation backed by local permit expertise.

Schedule your free estimate. We'll inspect your property, check your city's specific requirements, and give you a start date we'll actually hit.

Call us at 214-432-7877 or request your quote online. Get honest answers, realistic timelines, and a fence built to last.