Fence Company in Forest Hills, MI — Built for Wooded Lots and Two Township Rulebooks
Owner-operated fence installation for Forest Hills homeowners since 2013.
Forest Hills is an unincorporated community, so no single fence ordinance covers it. Two townships enforce their own rules instead, and which one applies depends on which side of an internal boundary line your property falls on. Fence Brothers is a fence company serving Forest Hills, MI with wood, vinyl, and aluminum fencing, plus full-service permit handling.
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Whether you’re planning a residential fence, or just exploring your options, we’ll help you understand what makes sense for your property, your goals, and your budget.
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Current Project Start
About 2 weeks
Next Available Estimate
Within 48 hours
Local Permit Wait Time
About 2 weeks (if necessary)
Trusted Fence Installation Across West Michigan
As a fence company serving Forest Hills, MI, Fence Brothers backs every job with a 4.9-star Google rating from 21 reviews, a 5.0 rating on Angi, Angi Approved status, and the 2025 Super Service Award. We’ve been in business 13 years, since 2013, and remain owner-operated by brothers Alec and Kyle Trierweiler, licensed and insured. These are company-wide figures; local job history isn’t large enough yet to report separately.
WHAT WE INSTALL
Our Fence Installation Services in Forest Hills, MI
Fence Brothers installs fencing for homeowners and businesses throughout Belmont and the rest of Plainfield Charter Township. Here’s what we build most often, with notes on how each material fits this area.
Wood Fence Installation
Cedar and pine are the top choice for privacy here, especially on the larger, tree-lined lots common across the Ada Township portion of Forest Hills. Dog-ear is the style we install most.
Best for: privacy and properties with mature trees to work around.
Vinyl Fencing
Vinyl holds its color and shape with almost no upkeep, a common pick for homeowners who want privacy without a repainting or resealing schedule.
Best for: low-maintenance, HOA-friendly curb appeal.
Aluminum Fencing
Aluminum’s open, ornamental look suits pool enclosures and front-yard boundaries where a defined property line matters more than blocking the view.
Best for: pool code compliance and open perimeters.
Chain Link Fencing
A practical, budget-friendly option for containing pets or marking a rear-yard boundary on larger parcels.
Best for: pet containment and property-line marking.
We also install gates, gate operators, and ranch and agricultural fencing.
Get a Free Fence Estimate in Forest Hills
Your estimate takes about 10 minutes. We come to your property, walk the yard, and give you a written price on the spot. No pressure, no follow-up sales calls.
Call (616) 348-9988 or fill out the form below.
Why Forest Hills Lots Require a Different Installation Approach
- Frost-Line Depth and Seasonal Ground Movement
Michigan’s frost line runs 42 inches deep, and a West Michigan winter can heave a shallow post out of alignment within a season or two. We set every post below that line, regardless of which township your property falls in. - Soil Conditions
Kent County’s glacial-till soils shift between sandy and heavy clay from lot to lot, which changes how concrete cures around a post and how well a footing drains. We evaluate the soil at your specific property rather than applying one method to the whole street. - Mature Tree Root Systems
Forest Hills’ larger, tree-lined lots often mean routing a fence line around root systems and drip lines instead of running it in a straight shot. We adjust post spacing and placement on-site to avoid cutting into roots that could destabilize a mature tree. - Slope and Grade Changes
A sloped yard needs either a stepped fence, where each panel stays level and steps down the grade, or a racked one, where the panel follows the slope in a continuous line. Which one fits depends on the specific run, and we walk that decision with you before quoting the job.
Every one of these factors gets checked during your on-site estimate, not guessed at from a satellite photo.
Fence Permits in Ada Township and Cascade Charter Township — What You Need Before Installation
Here’s the part that surprises most homeowners: Plainfield Charter Township doesn’t require a permit to install a residential fence, as long as it stays inside your property line, per the township’s own FAQ page. Placement and design rules still apply, spelled out in Section 3.27 of the Zoning Ordinance, “Fences and Walls.” Because we already know that section, we can usually tell a Belmont homeowner what applies to their property before we show up for the estimate.
Ada Township permit basics
Ada Township permit basics (covers roughly 89 percent of the Forest Hills area)
- A zoning permit is required for most permanent residential fences.
- Front-yard fences are capped at 4 feet; side and rear at 7 feet, under Chapter 78, Section 78-13.
- Permit fees typically run $40 to $100, with a 3 to 10 business day turnaround.
- Applications go through the township’s Zoning Department, not the county or city.
- MISS DIG 811 must be called at least 3 business days before digging, per Michigan Public Act 174.
HOA requirements
- Many Forest Hills neighborhoods inside Ada Township carry active HOA covenants.
- Typical restrictions cover height, materials, gate style, and color, with custom cedar and ornamental aluminum common HOA-approved choices.
- Both a zoning permit and HOA architectural approval are usually required before work starts.
Cascade Charter Township permit basics
Cascade Charter Township permit basics (covers the smaller northern portion of Forest Hills)
- Front-yard fences are limited to 4 feet; side and rear to 6 feet.
- Fences must sit entirely on the owner’s property with posts facing the owner’s own lot, and barbed wire isn’t allowed.
- Published guidance doesn’t show a building permit requirement here; we confirm the exact requirement for your address before filing anything.
We determine which township governs your address, pull whichever permit applies, coordinate MISS DIG, and handle any HOA submissions directly, so you don’t have to contact a zoning office or your association yourself.
What Forest Hills Neighbors Are Saying About Fence Brothers
HOW IT WORKS
How Your Fence Gets Built — From Estimate to Warranty
1
Free On-Site Estimate
We walk your property, note the terrain and any HOA or township considerations, and leave you with a written estimate, typically within 48 hours of your call.
2
Permits, HOA, and MISS DIG
We file the zoning permit with the correct township, submit any required HOA paperwork, and schedule MISS DIG utility locates at least 3 business days before digging starts.
3
Installation
Every fence is built piece by piece on-site, using true 2×4 rails, 11/16-inch pickets, and posts set below Michigan’s 42-inch frost line.
4
Final Walkthrough and 5-Year Warranty
We walk the finished fence with you, and every job is backed by a 5-year workmanship warranty that covers wood as well as vinyl, aluminum, and chain link.
RECENT WORK
Recent Fence Projects Near Forest Hills
We’re building out a project gallery specific to this part of Kent County as Belmont-area installs wrap up. In the meantime, our full gallery shows examples of the wood, vinyl, aluminum, and chain link work we’ve completed across our service area.
WHERE WE WORK
Fence Installation Service Area Near Forest Hills, MI
Forest Hills sits primarily within Ada Township, with a smaller portion in Cascade Charter Township. Our crews also cover fence installation in Ada, the fencing we install in Cascade, our Grand Rapids fence installation coverage, fence installation in East Grand Rapids, and our home base in Kentwood. Fence Brothers is a fence company in Forest Hills, MI, ready to install wherever your property falls.
Get a Free Fence Estimate in Forest Hills
Ready to see what a fence costs on your property? Request your free Forest Hills estimate and we’ll walk the lot, confirm which township rules apply, and leave you with a written number before we go.
Call (616) 348-9988 or fill out the form.
Request a Free Estimate
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Our Fencing Services, Pricing, and Process.
Do I need a permit to install a fence in Forest Hills?
In most cases, yes. About 89 percent of Forest Hills falls under Ada Township, which requires a zoning permit for most permanent fences; the smaller Cascade Charter Township portion doesn’t appear to require one. We confirm your exact jurisdiction and permit needs before filing anything.
Does Fence Brothers work with Forest Hills HOAs?
Yes. Many Forest Hills neighborhoods within Ada Township have active HOA covenants, and we handle architectural approval alongside your zoning permit.
What types of fences do you install in Forest Hills?
Wood, vinyl, aluminum, and chain link, plus gates, gate operators, and ranch or agricultural fencing.
How long does fence installation take in Forest Hills, and what does it cost?
Estimates are typically ready within 48 hours, and permits usually take 3 to 10 business days once filed. Pricing depends on material, height, and length rather than neighborhood, so see our fence materials and options guide for what drives cost.
How deep do fence posts need to be in Forest Hills?
Every post we set goes below Michigan’s 42-inch frost line, regardless of which township governs your property.
Do you handle permits and HOA paperwork, or do I have to?
We handle it. You won’t need to contact the township zoning office or your HOA yourself.