7 Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Fence Company

Installing a new fence is a significant investment in your property. Whether you need privacy fencing for your backyard, a secure enclosure for pets, a decorative boundary, or commercial fencing, choosing the right contractor can have a major impact on the final result.

A professional fence company should provide more than materials and installation. You want a contractor who understands your property's layout, listens to your goals, explains your options clearly, and completes the project with attention to detail.

Before hiring anyone, asking the right questions can help you compare companies and avoid unexpected problems.

Big Jerry’s Fencing provides residential and commercial fencing solutions in multiple materials and styles. If you are planning a fencing project, the following questions can help you evaluate your options.

What Types of Fencing Do You Install?

Not every fencing contractor works with every material.

Some companies specialize in a limited selection, while others offer several options for different property requirements.

Ask whether the company installs materials such as:

Wood
Vinyl
Chain link
Aluminum
Ornamental fencing
Farm fencing
Woven wire
Composite fencing

Having several options makes it easier to compare fencing based on privacy, appearance, maintenance, security, and budget.

Big Jerry’s Fencing offers a variety of residential and commercial fencing materials, giving property owners more flexibility when selecting a fence.

Can You Help Me Choose the Right Fence?

You may already know what type of fence you want, but it is still useful to ask for professional input.

A fencing contractor should consider your property's layout and your reasons for installing the fence.

For example, a homeowner who wants to contain a dog may have different requirements from someone who wants maximum backyard privacy.

Your contractor should be able to discuss factors such as:

Fence height
Material
Property terrain
Privacy
Gates
Maintenance
Expected use
Local requirements

The goal is to choose a fence that works for your property rather than simply selecting a popular material.

Do You Offer a Property Assessment?

Every property is different.

A professional assessment can help identify potential installation challenges before work begins.

The contractor may look at:

Property boundaries
Terrain
Trees
Landscaping
Existing structures
Driveways
Walkways
Drainage
Existing fencing

This information can influence the final fence design and installation process.

A property assessment is especially important for sloped, uneven, or heavily landscaped yards.

Are You Experienced With My Type of Property?

Residential and commercial fencing can involve different requirements.

A backyard fence may focus on privacy, pets, children, or appearance.

A commercial fence may need to accommodate vehicles, storage areas, employees, customers, equipment, or security concerns.

Ask about the contractor's experience with projects similar to yours.

Big Jerry’s Fencing provides both residential and commercial fencing solutions, allowing property owners to work with a company familiar with different types of fencing applications.

Who Handles the Installation?

It is reasonable to ask who will actually install your fence.

Understanding the installation process can give you a better idea of what to expect.

Ask about:

Installation experience
Project supervision
Expected timeline
Site preparation
Post installation
Gate installation
Cleanup

Professional installation involves much more than placing fence panels in the ground.

Posts need to be properly positioned and secured, sections should be aligned, and gates should operate smoothly.

Do You Handle Fence and Gate Installation Together?

Many property owners need gates as part of their fencing project.

A gate should not be treated as an afterthought.

Think about whether you need:

Pedestrian gates
Driveway gates
Double gates
Equipment access
Multiple entry points

Gate size and placement should be based on how you use the property.

For example, a narrow pedestrian gate may work for everyday foot traffic but may not provide enough room for lawn equipment.

Big Jerry’s Fencing offers fence and gate installation services, allowing both components to be planned as part of the same project.

What Is Included in the Estimate?

Never assume that every fencing estimate includes the same services.

Ask for a clear breakdown of what is included.

Potential project costs can involve:

Fence materials
Installation labor
Gates
Site preparation
Existing fence removal
Debris removal
Special hardware
Difficult terrain
Additional work

A detailed estimate makes it easier to compare different contractors.

Why Fence Material Selection Matters

The material you choose can affect appearance, maintenance, durability, and cost.

Wood Fencing

Wood provides natural character and can be customized through different styles, heights, stains, and finishes.

It is commonly used for privacy fencing.

The tradeoff is that wood generally requires more maintenance than some other materials.

Vinyl Fencing

Vinyl provides a clean appearance and relatively low maintenance.

It can be suitable for privacy and decorative applications.

Chain Link Fencing

Chain link offers practical functionality and visibility.

It is commonly used for residential yards, pet areas, commercial properties, and utility spaces.

Aluminium Fencing

Aluminium can provide an attractive open design while creating a defined boundary.

It is often used around front yards, gardens, driveways, and landscaped properties.

Composite Fencing

Composite fencing provides another option for homeowners interested in modern materials and reduced maintenance.

Big Jerry’s Fencing offers multiple fencing materials, allowing customers to compare options according to their property and goals.

Ask About Property Boundaries

A fence should be installed in the correct location.

Before installation, determine where the legal property line is located.

Do not automatically assume an existing fence is positioned correctly.

If the boundary is unclear, professional surveying may be appropriate.

This is particularly important when the proposed fence is close to a neighboring property.

Ask About Local Regulations

Fence installation may be subject to local rules.

Requirements can cover:

Maximum height
Front-yard fencing
Setbacks
Corner lots
Materials
Gate placement
Permits

Ask your contractor whether there are local requirements you should be aware of.

You should still verify applicable regulations yourself before construction begins.

Ask About Maintenance Requirements

Different fencing materials require different levels of care.

If you are comparing options, ask what maintenance each one requires.

Wood may need cleaning, staining, sealing, or painting.

Vinyl may primarily require periodic cleaning.

Chain link and aluminum may require inspections and occasional repairs.

Understanding maintenance expectations before installation can help you choose a fence that fits your lifestyle.

Ask How the Fence Will Handle Your Terrain

A flat yard is usually easier to fence than a steep or uneven property.

If your property has slopes, retaining walls, large trees, or other obstacles, ask how the contractor plans to handle them.

Possible approaches may include:

Stepped fencing
Racked fencing
Adjusted post placement
Custom gate positioning

The best method depends on the material and property.

Ask About Existing Fence Removal

If an old fence is already present, determine whether the contractor handles removal.

Ask whether the estimate includes:

Fence removal
Post removal
Debris hauling
Site preparation

Knowing this in advance prevents surprises when the project starts.

Ask About Cleanup

Fence installation can create debris from old fencing, packaging, excess materials, and excavation.

Ask whether cleanup is included in the project.

A professional installation should leave the work area in an appropriate condition once the project is completed.

Ask About Project Timing

Installation schedules can vary depending on project size, material availability, weather, property conditions, and other factors.

Ask when the project can begin and how long installation is expected to take.

Avoid choosing a contractor based solely on the fastest estimated completion date.

Quality workmanship and appropriate preparation are more important than rushing the installation.

Watch for Warning Signs

When evaluating fencing contractors, pay attention to how they communicate.

Be cautious if a company:

Avoids providing a detailed estimate
Cannot explain the proposed materials
Ignores your questions
Pushes you into a decision
Does not discuss property conditions
Gives unclear project details

Good communication before installation can make the project easier from beginning to end.

Why Professional Fence Installation Is Worth Considering

Installing a fence involves measurements, post placement, alignment, gates, terrain, and material-specific techniques.

A professional installer can identify problems that may not be obvious to a homeowner.

This can be particularly valuable when dealing with slopes, large properties, complicated layouts, or custom fencing.

A professionally installed fence can also provide a more consistent finished appearance.

Why Choose Big Jerry’s Fencing?

Choosing a contractor with multiple fencing options can simplify the decision-making process.

Big Jerry’s Fencing offers residential and commercial fencing solutions in wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum, ornamental, farm, woven wire, and composite materials.

The company also provides fence and gate installation.

This range allows homeowners and businesses to compare options based on:

Privacy
Security
Appearance
Maintenance
Property use
Budget
Design preferences

Whether you need a backyard privacy fence, pet enclosure, decorative boundary, farm fencing, or commercial fencing, Big Jerry’s Fencing offers solutions for different applications.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a fence company should involve more than comparing prices.

Ask about materials, installation experience, property assessments, gates, estimates, local requirements, maintenance, terrain, removal, and project timing.

The answers can help you understand what you are paying for and whether the contractor is prepared to handle your specific project.

A quality fence starts with proper planning. Choosing the right material and installation approach can help you avoid unnecessary repairs and ensure the finished fence meets your expectations.

If you are planning a new residential or commercial fencing project, Big Jerry’s Fencing offers a wide selection of materials and professional fence and gate installation services to suit different properties, styles, and practical requirements.