Fence panels blown out after a windstorm in Kanata?

Whether blown-out panels mean a repair or a replacement is something an installer judges on site, and the cost depends on how many panels are damaged, what material they are, and whether any posts shifted or cracked at the base. Published Ontario installer pricing for removing and disposing of old fence sections runs roughly $5 to $15 per linear foot, with posts set in concrete costing more to pull. Repair and post replacement have too few published figures to quote a range, so ask each installer to price those line items separately in writing.

Before anyone digs to reset or replace a post, the Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012 requires a locate request. Ontario Dig Authority asks for it at least 5 business days ahead of digging. Ontario Dig Authority does not mark lines itself; each utility sends its own locator. Ask the installer who will submit the request, and ask about any private lines on your property.

The City of Ottawa Fence By-law, as published on ottawa.ca, says "erect" includes alter, construct, place and relocate. Height is measured from the grade at the base of the fence; where the ground is higher on one side, from the higher grade. A berm does not raise the limit. The by-law also requires that a fence be stable, vertical, of good-quality materials suitable for the purpose, kept in good repair, safe and free from accident hazards, and protected by paint, preservatives or another weather-resistant material, with cedar, redwood and treated wood excepted from that coating requirement. The finished side must face the street and neighbouring properties.

If the fence was built before January 1, 2004 under an older municipality's by-law and sits above today's limits, the by-law allows it to continue in use and be maintained. Because altering a fence counts as erecting it, ask By-law Services before making changes to one that exceeds current limits.

For the repair quote itself, ask each installer to break out the cost of materials and labour for the panels, the cost for any post work separately, the removal and disposal fee per linear foot, and whether the quote assumes posts are set in concrete. Ask what post method and depth the quote assumes, and get the warranty in writing.

Keep photos of the damage taken before anything is removed, along with the written quote and the invoice, so the repair record shows what was replaced and why.