Wood Fence Contractors Checklist

Wood Fence Contractors Checklist

Charleston natural wood picket fence Knoxville Tn

Ok, you’re serious about buying a backyard fence… Where do you start? How do you know you found a great contractor? Big yellow page ads? Large marketing campaign? Lots of fencing in your subdivision? WELL…maybe.

LARGE MARKETING CAMPAIGNS

Truth is, they have to do a lot of work to pay for half or full-page telephone book ads. Some companies may be in 5 or more books. That’s between $25,000 to $50,000 a year. Large marketing campaigns are also expensive. So the question is: Are you paying for fencing or advertising and getting ripped off or getting a quality job with quality materials?

LOTS OF JOBS IN YOUR SUBDIVISION

Just because there is a lot of one company’s fencing in your subdivision doesn’t mean they’re good at what they do.

Some fence companies will saturate a subdivision with inferior products or installations (cheap concrete mix = scat mix) or make deals with subdivision developers. By the time the fencing fails (5 to 8 years) the company is long gone from the area.

Take the time and look at those fences after they have been up for 6 to 8 years. If you are buying a fence, don’t get caught up in the new fence smell and the bright wood color. That all changes in about 6 months, and then it’s time to stain.

VAGUE FENCE MATERIALS DESCRIPTIONS

Thin Cedar Cypress Fencing

Contractor cutting corners in Knoxville by using 3/8″ pickets not 3/4″ inch and backing rails 1″ thick not 1-1/2″ thick. Weaker fencing materials at a Premium Price!

Just last week I was in a subdivision where 2 homeowners using the same contractor and same material quote received TWO different fences. WOW! Picket boards are 3/8″ thick (way too thin for fencing) and backing rails are only 1″ thick (industry standards 1-1/2″ thick). The 1″ thickness is ok for decking boards with joists set 16″ on center, but too thin to support fencing. The other job featured picket boards 1″ thick (may have been flooring overruns) with 1″ backing rails to hold the fence up! Unacceptable practices.

Without consistency in materials and installation, your fence will be unique to you! Now think about it: When you need a few replacement parts, where can you find them? Only with the same company, but if they are using a hodgepodge of materials, even they won’t be able to match it up.

  • Insurance
  • Years in Continuous Business
  • Job References Near You
  • WARRANTY – did you know there are two different warranties
  • Manufacturer Warranty – what is covered, how long, transferable
  • Contractor Warranty – what is covered, how long, transferable
  • Concrete – Yes there are differences, and IT MATTERS
  • 100% Concrete for fence post footers
  • Skat mix of materials on the trailer, identity unknown, rock, sand, portland MAYBE!
  • Nails – what are they using, quantity, coatings, screw or twist shank, HOW MANY?
  • Treated for termites pine lumber – galvanized ring shank nails
  • Cedar/Cyprus/Spruce – stainless steel nails to prevent rust stains (crying)
  • LUMBER TREATED FOR TERMITES: If you have termite treatment for your house…you need it for your fence!
  • Posts – size, depth in the ground, eyeball installation, or using a string (you will be surprised)
  • Backing rails – bridges the posts supports the pickets (industry standard 2″x 4″ x 8′)
  • Pickets – thickness defined (less than 5/8″ thickness unacceptable) standard and easily obtainable at various locations