How to hire a fence contractor
A fence contractor builds and repairs fences and gates — where the two things that cause disputes later are the property line and who owns which side.
What the job usually involves
- New fences: wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminium, composite.
- Repairs: leaning panels, rotted posts, sagging gates.
- Gates, including automatic and pedestrian gates.
- Removal and disposal of an old fence.
- Pool fencing to code.
What to ask before you agree to anything
- How are you establishing the property line — survey, pins, or assumption?
- How deep are the posts set, and are they concreted?
- Which side faces out, and does that match local rules or my HOA?
- Is a permit required, and are you pulling it?
- Is removal and disposal of the old fence included?
- What warranty covers the posts specifically?
Warning signs
- A fence line set by eye rather than by survey pins.
- No permit check in an area that requires one.
- Posts not set below the frost line or in undersized holes.
- Pool fencing quoted without reference to code height and gate self-closing requirements.
Common questions
Do I need a survey before building a fence?
If the line is not clearly marked, yes. A fence built even slightly over a boundary can have to come down, and that argument is far more expensive than a survey. Many contractors will build to pins you provide but will not take responsibility for locating them.
Do I need a permit for a fence?
Often, especially above a certain height or for pool fencing, and HOAs frequently add their own rules on material, height and which side faces out. Check with your city or county before ordering materials.
How long does a wood fence last?
It depends on wood species, whether posts are set properly, drainage and maintenance. Posts almost always fail before panels do, which is why how the posts are set is the question worth asking most closely.
How does Region Beacon work for fence contractors?
You describe the job once. The first nearby business that takes it gets your details and contacts you; nobody else does. You deal with whoever you pick directly, and you pay them directly — Region Beacon never handles the money and takes no commission, so nothing is added to your price for using it.
How do I know if a fence contractor's quote is fair?
Get more than one. A single quote tells you what one business charges; three tell you what the job is worth where you live. Ask each for the same scope in writing, and treat a quote far below the others as probably missing something rather than a bargain.
Get quotes from fence contractors near you
Describe the job once and the first nearby business to take it contacts you. Only that one gets your details, no commission is added, and your details are not sold on to anyone.