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9 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Fence Contractor

A fence is one of the few home improvements that sits on or near your property line, which means it involves your neighbors, your HOA, and your local zoning codes in ways that most projects don't. The biggest fence disputes happen when a homeowner discovers after installation that the fence is on the wrong side of the property line, violates setback requirements, or doesn't meet HOA standards. Covering the following points before work begins prevents all three.

9 QuestionsPrintable ChecklistAvg Cost: $1,500 - $8,000 per job

Questions to Ask

1Will you verify the property lines before installation, or do I need to arrange a survey?

Why It Matters

A fence built even 6 inches over your property line is on your neighbor's land, and they can legally demand you remove it at your expense. Property pins are often buried or missing.

Red Flag

They plan to eyeball the property line or use the old fence line without verifying it with a survey.

Pro Tip

If you don't have a recent survey, hiring a surveyor ($300-$600) before fence installation is worth every penny. Some fence contractors will coordinate this for you.

2Are you aware of the setback requirements and height restrictions in my jurisdiction?

Why It Matters

Most municipalities require fences to be set back from the property line, limit height in front yards (typically 4 feet) and back yards (typically 6 feet), and restrict materials in certain zones.

Red Flag

They've never heard of setback requirements, or they don't ask about your HOA.

Pro Tip

Check with your city's planning department before the contractor starts. Some HOAs require pre-approval of fence plans including material, color, and height.

3What post-setting method do you use, and how deep will the posts be set?

Why It Matters

Posts that aren't deep enough heave in freeze-thaw cycles and lean in high winds. The standard depth is one-third the total post length set in concrete. A 6-foot fence needs posts set at least 30-36 inches deep.

Red Flag

They set posts less than 24 inches deep, or they use gravel fill instead of concrete for structural posts.

Pro Tip

Posts should be set in concrete at a minimum depth of one-third the total post length, or below the frost line in cold climates -- whichever is deeper.

4What material grade are you using, and is it rated for ground contact?

Why It Matters

Not all pressure-treated lumber is rated for ground contact. A post that isn't ground-contact rated will rot in 3-5 years. Cedar and redwood have natural rot resistance but vary by grade.

Red Flag

They use above-ground rated lumber for fence posts, or they can't tell you the treatment rating of the wood they use.

Pro Tip

Look for UC4A or UC4B ground-contact rated pressure-treated posts. For cedar, select grade Western Red Cedar has the best durability. For vinyl, UV-stabilized PVC is standard.

5Will you call 811 before digging post holes?

Why It Matters

Buried utility lines (gas, electric, water, cable, fiber) run through most yards. Hitting a gas line is dangerous; hitting a fiber line is expensive. 811 locates these lines for free.

Red Flag

They say they'll be careful and don't need to call 811, or they plan to start digging before the utility locate is complete.

Pro Tip

811 requests take 2-3 business days. The fence contractor should arrange this as part of the project timeline, not skip it.

6What is included in your bid -- removal of the old fence, gates, hardware, staining/sealing?

Why It Matters

A low bid often excludes old fence removal, gate hardware, post caps, staining, and concrete for post holes. These add up quickly.

Red Flag

The bid is a single line item with no breakdown of what's included and excluded.

Pro Tip

Get a breakdown that includes: old fence removal and disposal, post quantity and material, rail and picket specifications, gate count and hardware, concrete for post holes, and finish treatment.

7How do you handle gates, and what hardware do you use?

Why It Matters

Gates are the weakest point of any fence. They sag, stick, and fail at the hinges. Quality gate construction with proper hinges and latches makes the difference between a gate that works for 20 years and one that sags in 2.

Red Flag

They use standard butt hinges instead of heavy-duty gate hinges, or they don't brace the gate diagonally.

Pro Tip

Look for: gate posts that are at least one size larger than line posts, diagonal bracing on the gate frame, self-closing hinges if you have a pool, and a drop rod for double gates.

8What is your warranty, and what does it cover?

Why It Matters

Fence warranties vary widely. Some cover only materials, some cover labor for a year, and some warranty the posts separately from the panels.

Red Flag

No warranty at all, or a warranty that excludes posts (the most failure-prone component).

Pro Tip

A reasonable warranty is 1-2 years on labor (including posts, panels, and gates) plus the manufacturer's material warranty. Vinyl and composite fences often come with 20+ year manufacturer warranties.

9Who is responsible for maintaining the fence after installation, and what maintenance does this fence material require?

Why It Matters

Wood fences need staining or sealing every 2-3 years. Vinyl needs periodic cleaning. Understanding maintenance requirements upfront helps you budget and maintain your investment.

Red Flag

They claim wood fences are maintenance-free, or they don't discuss maintenance at all.

Pro Tip

Ask when the fence should first be stained or sealed (typically 6-12 months after installation for new pressure-treated wood). Ask whether the wood they use will weather to gray naturally if left untreated.

Bonus Tips for Hiring a Fence Contractor

  • Talk to your neighbors before installing a fence on or near the property line. Many disputes can be avoided with a simple conversation, and some neighbors will split the cost of a shared boundary fence.
  • Check your HOA covenants before getting bids. Some HOAs restrict material, height, style, and even the direction the finished side faces (often required to face outward).
  • Ask the contractor to build a short sample section (2-3 pickets) so you can approve the material, spacing, and height before they build the entire fence.
  • If you're installing a fence for a pool, verify your jurisdiction's pool fence code requirements. Most require self-closing, self-latching gates and minimum 4-foot height with no climbable features.

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