Wrought iron fence installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What wrought iron fence installation is

Wrought iron fence installation fabricates or fits steel or iron sections between anchored posts, welds or bolts the panels together and finishes them with primer and paint. It is an ornamental, strong perimeter fence that suits historic homes, front yards and estates, and it needs regular paint to keep it from rusting.

Signs you need it

  • You want a strong, ornamental perimeter fence for a historic or traditional home
  • A property needs a secure fence that is hard to climb or cut and still lets the view through
  • An older wrought iron fence has rusted, bent or lost pickets and needs to be rebuilt or replaced
  • A gate and fence line need to match the style of an existing wrought iron entry
  • A commercial or residential frontage needs a durable steel barrier that can be painted in a chosen color
  • A fence is needed along a driveway or a pool area where a solid, long-lasting metal line is preferred

What the pro does

  • Confirm the property line and mark the post locations and the gate openings, checking for buried lines first
  • Set the anchored posts in concrete at the depth and spacing the height and the design require
  • Fabricate or fit the panels in the shop, cutting the rails and pickets and welding or bolting them into sections
  • Set the panels between the posts, aligning the top rail and checking that the line is level and straight
  • Weld or bolt the panels to the posts and install the gates with heavy-duty hinges and a latch
  • Clean the steel, apply the primer and the topcoat in the required coats, and check the welds and joints for rust

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total length and height, plus the design density of pickets, scrolls and finials
  • Steel thickness and section size, which change the weight and the strength of the fence
  • Number of posts, corners and gates, and the anchor method that holds each post
  • Fabrication time, including shop cutting, welding and grinding of each panel
  • Surface preparation, such as blasting or wire brushing to remove rust before the primer goes on
  • Finish type and color, along with the number of coats the design calls for

What a written quote should spell out

  • Fence length, height, design and the steel size named in the proposal
  • Post size, anchor method and the concrete used for setting
  • Welding or bolting method used to join the panels
  • Gate size, hinges, latch and any drop rod or stop
  • Surface preparation, primer and topcoat products, with the number of coats
  • Warranty on the steel, welds and paint, and what it excludes

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the fence fabricated in your shop, or on site, and how are the panels joined?
  • What primer and topcoat do you use, and how many coats do you apply?
  • How do you prepare the steel to remove rust before painting?
  • How deep are the posts set, and what anchor do you use for the gate posts?
  • What maintenance does the paint need, and how often should it be redone?
  • What is the warranty on the welds and the paint?

Red flags

  • Paints over rusted steel without removing the rust, which will bubble and flake soon
  • Joins panels with thin or cold welds that do not penetrate the steel
  • Sets posts without a proper anchor, so the fence rocks when leaned on
  • Uses a single thin coat of paint instead of primer and topcoat
  • Says the fence will never rust and needs no paint or maintenance

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can paint an existing wrought iron fence after removing loose rust and applying a proper primer and topcoat. Call a pro for welding, fabrication, replacing panels, setting posts in concrete and gate hardware, since weak joints and anchors can fail under load. Welding and grinding throw sparks and fumes, and metal dust and paint solvents are hazardous, so use eye protection, gloves, a respirator and good ventilation.

Licenses and permits

Whether wrought iron fence work needs a contractor license varies by place and by job size, and tall fences, pool barriers and fences near a public way often need a permit in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, and confirm the property line rules that apply to your lot.

Wrought iron fence installation questions

Can rusted wrought iron be saved?

Surface rust can be cleaned off and the steel repainted, but deep rust that has thinned or holed the metal needs the section replaced. Ask the pro to test the steel and show you which sections are sound.

How often does wrought iron need painting?

It depends on the coating, the sun exposure and the climate, so ask the pro for the interval for your paint. Any chips or scratches should be touched up soon to keep rust from starting.

Is wrought iron the same as steel or aluminum fencing?

Wrought iron is a form of iron, and most modern ornamental fences are steel, which is similar in look and rusts in the same way without paint. Aluminum is lighter and does not rust, so ask the pro which material suits your site.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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