21 Critical Questions to get Answers to Before Purchasing a Fence
A to Z Quality Fencing West Bend, WI 1-888-FENCING/414-235-0173/262-626-2510
http://www.atozqualityfencing.com
What Everyone Should Know Before Talking
to a Fencing Contractor, but Almost No One
is Aware Of Until It’s Too Late
Spend a few minutes reviewing this report before
purchasing a fence or spend several years wishing
you had!
Purchasing a fence can be confusing. Face it, you don’t buy a fence very often, but when
you do, you want your fence to last a long time and look great for years to come. Most
people are unaware of the many variables that go into the building and installation of a
fence. The less you know usually means you will pay more for an inferior product that may
not even last five years! Protect yourself up front by understanding what is important, what
to demand, and what to avoid at all costs.
The Basics
1. What do I need to know to make a smart buying decision? Although there is a lot to
know about what contributes to making a smart decision in purchasing a fence, it really
comes down to quality and variety of materials; construction & Installation techniques;
competitive pricing; and the experience of the contractor to ensure that you get the fence
that is right for you at the right price.
2. How do you know if the contractor has the proper experience? A good contractor will
spend enough time with you before you make your decision answering any questions you
have, making you aware of the many options that exist, and also helping you determine
exactly what you want in a fence, so that you wind up with the product that is best for you.
He should also have a good working knowledge of the neighborhood or subdivision where
you live, so that he is aware of all local codes, and even be familiar with the soil density and
rock content of the area to help anticipate any possible needs his crews will have when
installing your fence in your yard.
3. How do I know what fence is best for me? Fences play many roles, and there are
different styles that meet different needs. Some styles of fences provide greater levels of
security than others. Other styles provide more privacy. Still other styles will look better with
some types of houses than others. A good contractor will be able to offer any style of fence
you might desire, be able to completely and concisely answer any questions you have
about it, and be able to install it with his owned trained & experienced crews.
4. How long should it take to install my fence? It depends on the size of the job, but
most fences can be installed in one to three days. There is no reason to have to wait days
or weeks between when the fence posts are installed, and when the rails, gates, and the
rest of the job is completed. This is the sign of an over-extended contractor. Avoid at all cost
21 Critical Questions to get Answers to Before Purchasing a Fence
A to Z Quality Fencing West Bend, WI 1-888-FENCING/414-235-0173/262-626-2510
http://www.atozqualityfencing.com
contractors that drag out the installation process for more than three days. An installation
should always be completed without day gaps.
Look and Quality of Fence
5. What do I need to know to look for in a quality fence? A quality fence is made up of
the finest materials, combined with an installation process that leaves you with a fence that
is straight, level, sturdy, and one that will stand up to the test of time and give you at least
15 to 20 years of service and peace of mind. The better the materials and installation
techniques used, the longer your fence will last.
6. How can I tell if the fencing contractor is using the proper materials? It can be hard
to tell sometimes, because you ask for specifics, you will most likely be given a bunch of
general statements and platitudes that really don’t tell you anything. A competent fencing
contractor should want to share specifics about the materials he is using, and why they are
the best available. For example, if you were considering a wood fence, you would want to
know that your fence would be constructed of a premium Grade Cedar. Premium Grade
Cedar is the best wood material to use because it grows slower making it stronger, has
fewer knots.
7. What do I need to know about the installation process? The installation process can
impact your satisfaction with your new fence long after the installation is forgotten. How
deep are the fence posts sunk in the ground? If they are not at least three feet below the
surface, your fence is much more likely to wobble and go out of line before it should. How
do they ensure that every run is level and true? We use a system called the Bi-Lateral
Alignment Process that runs a double line high and low on opposite sides of the fence
posts that makes it impossible to be set improperly, ensuring that the fence run is straight
and level every time!
8. What is the biggest problem I need to watch out for with a wood fence? The gates
on most wood fences sag and stick within 90 days of the installation. That’s why most
contractors will only warranty their gates for 90 days. We warranty ours for 7 years! We
can do this because we build ours different. We build them with a mitered picture frame
construction with two diagonal supports, hand nailed to prevent splitting and cracking. Did
we mention we warranty them for 7 years?
9. What do I need to know if I’m getting a vinyl fence? If you decide on a vinyl fence,
you want to make sure that they only use virgin vinyl under the outer shell, not recycled. In
most styles they should use six-foot sections instead of eight-foot sections, which will sag
over time. If they use an 8’ section then the rails should be 2”x7”. They should only use top
quality vinyl, so that the exterior profile looks like wood, not plastic. When the concrete is
poured into the postholes, it should top off six to eight inches below the soil line to avoid
freeze damage in the winter. There should also be an anti frost heave bar installed at the
bottom of every post. There is a lot more to know about buying a vinyl fence, but these are
some basic points that any contractor should cover up front. If he doesn’t, or has different
answers, find a different contractor.
10. How about an aluminum fence? All aluminum is the same, but what happens to it
when it is manufactured into a fence product makes all the difference in the world. We use
an advanced powder coating system that allows us to produce a high quality, long lasting
finish. All components are extruded from 6005-T5 alloys, with a minimum ultimate strength
21 Critical Questions to get Answers to Before Purchasing a Fence
A to Z Quality Fencing West Bend, WI 1-888-FENCING/414-235-0173/262-626-2510
http://www.atozqualityfencing.com
of 35,000 psi. What this means is your fence will stand up to anything mother nature or the
neighborhood kids throw at it, supported by our Lifetime Warranty covering defects in
workmanship & materials as well as chipping peeling or cracking of the finish, for life! We
also have a concealed fastener so you don’t have the ugly look of screws!
Price/Final Cost
11. How do I know what a fence should cost? It will vary by type of fence you will order,
but the cost of a fence will usually be dependent on a combination of time and materials,
and this can vary significantly from one contractor to another. An experienced contractor
should be able to explain exactly what goes into a fence if you have questions why one
wood fence costs more than another. The least expensive fence is usually cheap for a
reason. Inferior materials and a shoddy installation process may lower the cost of a fence,
but will always result in an inferior fence that will need to be replaced in five years or less.
12. Should I haggle over price? Not if you are working with a reputable fence contractor.
A reputable fence contractor should always give you his best price first, up front. If he
doesn’t, he is taking advantage of the possibility that you may not know everything you
need to know about what you are buying. Be EXTREMELY wary of any contractor that will
offer you a lower price to match or beat a competitive bid. If he is willing to do this, it means
he was more than willing to overcharge you up front.
13. Will the final cost always match the estimate? Basically, yes. A competent fence
contractor will be able to provide you with a detailed estimate that will cover all anticipated
costs, and some variables that may not be so easy to anticipate. For example, some
subdivisions are known to have been developed on very rocky soil. If this is the case, a
good contractor will put in his estimate contingency information that tells you he may have
to use a specialized digging tool like the Dandy Digger if rock formations are below the soil.
But unless there are changes to the original fence plan, like added gates or extra coverage,
the final price should ALWAYS match the estimate. Do not go with a fencing contractor that
will not make this guarantee!
14. Does company ownership structure of the company affect the cost of a fence. It
can. The ownership structure of any company can affect the cost of the product or service it
sells based on the overhead and profit requirements in place. If there are shareholders or
multiple partners in place, they likely need to see a greater return on each fencing job than
a sole proprietor or family owned company does.
Service
15. How do I know the crew will be there when they say they will? This is where
references can be a big help. Your contractor should be able to provide references that can
attest to the professionalism of the crew that did the work, and also give you firsthand
information regarding the details. If the installation requires more than one day, the crew
should be there at the same time each day, no exceptions. If they cannot make it due to
extreme weather or any other circumstances, you should be contacted at the time they
would normally get started to be advised of this.
16. How long is a typical workday? It varies by crew and company. The best crews like
what they do, and get a sense of accomplishment by completing the jobs by working a little
21 Critical Questions to get Answers to Before Purchasing a Fence
A to Z Quality Fencing West Bend, WI 1-888-FENCING/414-235-0173/262-626-2510
http://www.atozqualityfencing.com
longer if necessary. The best companies encourage them to do just that, rather than leaving
the yard until the following day for a couple hours to finish everything up.
17. When the crew leaves, will the job be 100% complete? Any professional fence
contractor will have a procedure in place that the crew goes through before leaving the job.
This should include the job foreman and at least one crewmember walking the entire job
site inspecting the workmanship and the post job clean up, ensuring everything has been
completed according to the initial plan and intent. The final action should be a meeting with
the homeowner to answer any questions, provide maintenance suggestions, and
demonstrate any components like gates or removable panels. The final invoice should only
be presented when the homeowner is totally satisfied with the end result.
Additional Points to Consider
18. What if I don’t know exactly where to put the fence? If you do not have clearly
defined lot lines, a good fencing contractor will help you arrange to have a survey done for
you to determine exactly where your lot ends and your neighbor’s begins. If you have
questions about where the fence should be placed in the context of your home and yard, an
experienced contractor will be able to give you guidance, backed by several examples of
similar projects you can drive by to see for yourself how it would look in your yard.
19. I’ve seen the same types of products at Menards & Home Depot for a lot less.
How can they sell it so cheap? The products sold at the big box building supply stores are
not nearly the same quality you are getting from a reputable fence contractor. In addition, all
installation of those products, if you do not do it yourself, are subbed out to contractors who
may or may not even be in the fence business. For anyone who wants a quality job that will
last more than five years, this is probably not a good option.
20. Will my yard be all tore up after the installation is complete? When the job is
complete, your yard should look the same as it did before the job started, except you now
have a nice, new fence around it. The only evidence that there was a construction project at
all will be the dirt that was displaced when the postholes were dug. The dirt should be raked
up neatly into piles along the perimeter of the property, unless there is a specific location
that was designated for it at the start of the job. There should be no ruts in the yard or any
other sign that an installation crew was there. When installed properly, the new fence
should appear to have “magically” grown out of the landscape.
21. What else do I need to be aware of? Don’t forget about your neighbors, even if one of
the main reasons to have your fence installed is to keep them out. Installing a new fence is
a disruption, and communicating in advance what to expect is a basic courtesy. Look for a
contractor that understands this, and is willing to help you prepare them for what to expect.
If your neighbors are informed up front of what to expect, when the installation will take
place, and when it will be complete, they are much less likely to have a problem with it.
We hope the 21 questions and answers contained in this report have helped you understand
what is important to be aware of when you decide to replace your old fence, or get a new one for
your yard. Whether you hire A to Z Quality Fencing, or some other fencing contractor to assist
you with your fencing project, make sure you get these 21 questions answered to your complete
satisfaction before moving forward with anyone.
