How to Find a Good Fence Contractor

There's an article that came out a few years ago by Josh Garskof in Money Magazine that offers some terrific insight into finding a good contractor, and I reference it extensively here.

The following are four web resources and a few rules of thumb to get you connected with a fence contractor you'll love.

Four websites you'll want to be aware of:

FenceCompanyDirectory.com - Free resource to find fence contractor by State and County.
bbb.org - Free resource to find Better Business Bureau ratings (A+ - F) on fence contractors.
AngiesList.com - Subscription-based (less than $10/mo) website to search or post service reviews.
ContractorCheck.com - Find financial, licensing and insurance information on fence contractor for a small fee.

Finding the Fence Contractor
The best resource will be friends, family and other members of your community who have had satisfactory fence work done, so definitely ask around. If you find someone who already has references within your community it's probably a safe bet to get a consultation and move forward.

Otherwise you will look to either the internet, yellow pages or Fence Company Directory.

Choosing a Good Fence Contractor
The following are nine tell-tale signs with which to distinguish a fence contractor you'll be happy with as opposed to one who you may end up taking to court.

Good Signs:

Reputation. You've hopefully already asked friends and neighbors to recommend good fence contractors, but a more reliable source of referrals is other people in the trades. For example a lawn care company or landscaper who has worked alongside a particular fencing contractor.

If they're willing to put their professional reputations on the line by vouching for someone they've already had business dealings with, they must like what they see.

The business card includes a local address. A fence installer who provides a physical address that's in your community is far less likely to disappear on you than someone whose true locale is hidden behind a post office box.

Long list of references. Even terrible contractors have had a few happy clients along the way - or have family members who can play the part when you call. The longer the list of references, the less likely it's rigged.

Once you have the references' contact information, Angie Hicks, the founder of angieslist.com recommends calling, "a handful of them, skipping around the list."

Warning Signs:

Company car is a rusted-out jalopy. A bucket of bolts that leaves an oil slick in your driveway doesn't bode well for the attention to detail or fiscal stability of the person driving it.

"That's not to say everyone has to ride around in a gleaming new truck," says Dick Mitchell, president of the New Orleans branch of the Better Business Bureau, the national nonprofit that lends its logo to participating companies meeting its standards (you can find a searchable list of member contractors at bbb.org). "But it should be clean and well maintained." Painted-on signs are better than magnetic ones, which are cheap and temporary.

Requesting payment in cash. Even if you don't care that someone's shirking their taxes by taking cash (or a check made out to cash), consider what other costs they may be cutting - like licensing fees, insurance bills and skilled crew members.

To investigate a potential contractor's finances, look them up at contractorcheck.com, where (for $13) you can find information about their licensing, insurance and financial stability, as well as any legal actions against them.

Mobile number not provided. For the most part, the only way to quickly get hold of an installer is by cell phone. If they don't want to give out that number, it isn't because they're conserving their minutes - they don't want to be reachable.

Red Flags:

They want you to skip the permit - or have you apply for it. Any major improvement project legally requires a building permit, which means that inspectors will check the work. If a contractor wants to go without a permit, it means they'd rather not have anyone looking over their shoulders (other than you, but let's face it, you don't know what to look for).

If they want you to apply for the permit yourself, it could be because they don't have the necessary state licensing - and it means you'd be the middleman between the inspector and contractor instead of letting them work things out directly.

They solicit business door to door. A fence installer rings your bell to say they just did a job in the neighborhood, they have extra materials and will cut you a rock-bottom deal if they can work on yours that afternoon. Sounds great, right?

Trouble is, you have no idea who they are or if they're going to do the job right. And if that new fence starts collapsing three months later, you'll never get them back to repair the damage.

They make you uneasy. Ultimately, you have to feel comfortable letting these people onto your property. Clearly, you're not going to hand your keys to someone who flips a cigarette butt into your azaleas or leers at your children.

If they don't look you straight in the eye, or if you just have a gut feeling that something might be amiss, go ahead and cross them off the list. Nowadays, thankfully, there are plenty of fence contractors available to do the job.

Three questions to ask references about a fence contractor:

How has the work held up over time?
Make sure to talk to one homeowner who had the work done at least a few years ago - enough time for flaws to reveal themselves.
Was the contractor easy to reach?
You want a contractor who picks up their cell phone right away when you call - or at least returns messages within a few hours.
How were problems resolved?
Every job will hit snags; the real test of a contractors merit is how well they handle them. They should have been able to minimize delays, added expense and anxiety - and get the job done right in the end.

 

As always - please contact our fence installation specialists if we can be of help in any way. And as you know, we welcome your comments.

Don't Buy Post and Rail (Split Rail) Fencing... Yet

Post & Rail has been traditionally used for horse corrals, and other livestock enclosures. Now-a-days it is commonly used for yard and garden fences. If you're interested in this rustic style of fence, please familiarize yourself with the characteristics you'll be looking for.

Rails

Rails are normally 11 feet long, which provides 6 inches of railing on either end, for insertion into post at the standard spacing of 10 feet apart.

[caption id="attachment_479" align="alignright" width="300"] Husky Post and Rail Fence by Academy Fence[/caption]

Rails should be made of a softwood, typically either spruce or hemlock. Mixed hardwood rails are usually lower in cost, but make a poor choice because of their tendency to rot, mildew and discolor. The Academy Fence rails are cut from a "very husky" (thick) beautiful softwood rails of a very hard-to-find variety, pictured to the right.

Posts

Posts should be made of locust wood, which in Abraham Lincoln's time would have been a Black Locust - an extremely hard wood, resistant to rot and durable, prized for furniture, flooring, paneling, fence posts and small watercraft - and is now usually a cross-pollinated variety.

Avoid posts made of treated wood. Not only do they lose the traditional look of natural lumber, but until 2003 the preservative most commonly used in residential pressure-treated lumber was chromated copper arsenate (CCA), an extremely toxic chemical. Contemporary treated lumber uses less toxic alternatives... amine copper quat (ACQ) and copper azole (CA), but whether these new chemicals will turn out to be less hazardous in the long term is anyone's guess.

All posts should include a galvanized staple on top to prevent splitting.

Number of Rails - 2 or 3

• Posts for a two rail fence should be 6ft long.


• For a three rail fence the posts should be 7ft long.

Academy Fence Products

If you or anyone you know is currently considering or shopping for a Post and Rail fence, please consider Academy's Rustic Split Post & Rail fencing, which features 11ft Hemlock rails (considered the best), enclosing spaces between posts 10 feet on center. Post are made from high quality locust wood, and all posts are reinforced with a galvanized staple at the top. This combination results in an esthetically pleasing, long lasting fence.

Additional Features

Color PVC coated welded wire is easily attached to render Post & Rail into an attractive dog enclosure, yard guard or pool code fence. Choose one of the styles here for additional information and pricing, or send in your choice of style and layout measurements on our quick quote form.

Fall Maintenance Tips on a Wood Fence

[caption id="attachment_416" align="alignleft" width="300"] Maple Leaves Over Wood Picket Fence - photo: http://greenwalks.wordpress.com[/caption]

The Fall Equinox marks the time of the Earth's astronomical half-way point between Summer and Winter, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun. It typically occurs on or about September 21st and marks the official beginning of Fall. If you haven't been, it's a good time to think about some simple maintenance on your wood fence. We wanted to share a few tips from Rick's Fencing Blog.

Clean
Getting rid of leaves, dirt and other yard debris is a simple and effective way of preventing mold and mildew from damaging the wood. Mold and mildew can grow inside wood fence panels and cause decay over time. Keeping the fence clean can make a huge difference in the duration of it's usefulness and beauty.

[caption id="attachment_414" align="alignright" width="238"] Tom Sawyer Whitewashing the Fence - photo: pbs.org[/caption]

Remove Overhanging Tree Limbs
Especially with wind, snow and ice coming, loose and low-hanging tree limbs can damage wood fence panels and posts if they fall on or into them. Frozen tree limbs are much more likely to break and fall than normal tree limbs, so even if a branch or limb looks fine during the summer, you may want to remove or secure it before the cold winter weather begins. Remember that it's much more enjoyable (to most of us) to work on the yard on a fifty to sixty degree sunny day than in a twenty degree ice storm.

Fence Stain
Cedar fences are especially resilient to water and insect damage, but can still benefit greatly from of a fresh coat of a simple water-repellant stain. As Tom Sawyer pointed out, this can be a fun project.


Inspect Fence Following  Rain and Storm
Check the fence after any major storm for water damage, breaks and other problems that can be addressed before they spread or progress.

Entropy, or the natural tendency of things to fall apart occurs faster in extreme weather such as Fall and Winter, but with a little discipline and TLC the planetary calendar can be the very thing that keeps our homes looking and feeling as good as new.

Happy Autumn, everybody.

(Thanks to Greenwalks for Maple Leaf image.)

Nine Types of Wood Fence Compared and Explained

[caption id="attachment_573" align="alignright" width="300"] Board on Board Shadowbox Wood Fence[/caption]

There are as many different types of wood fence as your mind can fathom including fence made from wood found in your yard, split rail timber and wooden rails and pickets attached to steel posts. This article offers an overview of some of the most common options in wooden fence styles and their benefits and pricing.

We'll look at the following wood fence styles:

Tongue and Groove Wood Fence
Board on Batten Wood Fence
Lattice Wood Fence
Board on Board or Shadowbox Style Wood Fence
Solid Board Wood Fence
Stockade Style Wood Fence
Spindle Picket Wood Fence
Spaced Picket Fence
Post and Rail Wood Fence

I'm gonna guess that if you're still reading you are either interested in installing a fence or writing a book that includes one because let's face it, there are more compelling subjects on the internet.

The primary differences in the above styles are price, degree of privacy and esthetics (in other words how nice it looks), and you guessed it, the best looking and most private wood fences are the least inexpensive. Well explore the options more-or-less from the top down, price-wise, so scroll to the bottom if you're on a tight budget and don't mind being visible.

Tongue and Groove Wood Fence

[caption id="attachment_574" align="alignright" width="300"] Tongue and Groove Wood Fence with Diamond Top Design[/caption]

Similar, but not the same as Tongue in Groove, Tongue and groove or T&G is a method where fence boards are joined together, edge to edge. Tongue and groove joints allow two flat pieces to be joined strongly together to make a single flat surface. This type of fence is known as a "Good Neighbor Fence" because it looks identical on both sides. This is achieved with the use of thin cross rails on both each of the fencing, which are sufficient because of the added strength provided by the tongue and groove joints between the boards. When wood expands and contracts, the interlocking boards retain connection, preventing the 1/8"-1/4" gaps between boards on traditional stockade and solid board fencing.

Board on Batten Wood Fence

[caption id="attachment_575" align="alignright" width="200"] Board on Batten Style[/caption]

The high privacy fence more common in the Midwest US called Board-and-batten fence in which narrow planks, called "battens", are festooned over the joints between the boards. The result resembles siding on farm buildings of the past. The top rail on this type of fence protects the ends of the vertical boards from the weather, giving them a long life. The assembly of a board-and-batten fence requires the placing of a board vertically and a batten in the opposite direction. This fence is made by alternating board and batten directions, butted to one another, and covered with a top rail.

 

Lattice Wood Fence

[caption id="attachment_578" align="alignright" width="250"] Lattice Top Wood Fence[/caption]

Lattice fence styles are a more decorative fence type and a true lattice fence is one in which the entire area between posts is composed of lattice-work, potentially framed. The more common variation is a fence with lattice-work at the top.

 

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_580" align="alignright" width="300"] Board on Board (Shadowbox) Wood Fence[/caption]

Board on Board or Shadowbox Style Wood Fence
Board on Board (also known as shadowbox) fencing is also considered a "good neighbor fence" due to both sides being identical. Board on Board fencing is a semi-private fence which allows airflow and sight through the openings between the fence boards on either side.

 

Solid Board Wood Fence

[caption id="attachment_581" align="alignright" width="250"] Solid Board Wood Fence Style[/caption]

Solid board fencing is the simplest and most common style of fencing in which the boards are fastened to the rails side-by-side. This type of fence offers a high degree of privacy, but the expansion and contraction of wood through changes in weather will create some gaps between boards. Solid board fences may may be customized by adding picket detail as dog ear, gothic, French gothic, arch or scallop to the top.

Stockade Style Wood Fence

[caption id="attachment_582" align="alignright" width="250"] Stockade Style Wood Fence[/caption]

The fundamental difference between stockade and solid board style wood fence brings to light the difference between a fence board and a fence picket. A board is flat on both sides, which a picket has a convex bevel on one side. The stockade fence is a modern variation on stockade fortifications, which were simple forms of defense of military camps or settlements, used since ancient Roman times and earlier. They offer the same fundamental privacy and security as board on board, with a more traditional or even historic look.

Spindle Picket Wood Fence

[caption id="attachment_583" align="alignright" width="300"] Spindle Picket Wood Fence[/caption]

Spindle Picket wood fence is considered a New England type picket fence (on the high end of spaced picket) with a more discriminating design, which utilizes a square or rounded picket, usually about 2" x 2" with a spacing of 1"- 3" between spindles. Spindle fencing achieves the look of a deck railing with the durability of a solid square picket. Spindle picket fencing detail options include a cap board, gothic picket cut, and 45-degree angle cut. Spindle picket fencing is available in 48" and 60" heights. The rounded pickets are called balusters and are made on a lathe.

Spaced Picket Fence

[caption id="attachment_584" align="alignright" width="259"] Spaced Picket Wood Fence[/caption]

One of the most economical choices, spaced picket fencing styles have gaps between the boards ranging from 1"-3" so it doesn't really offer much in the way of privacy. But since spaced picket fence can be installed in heights ranging from 3' high to 8" it does serve to contain or prevent entry when desired.

 

Post and Rail Wood Fence

[caption id="attachment_586" align="alignright" width="300"] Rustic Post and Rail (Split Rail Style) Fence[/caption]

For those who just need to keep covered wagons and stray horses out off the lawn, the rustic Post and Rail fence offers an old fashioned, rustic feeling of the old Split Rail fences from which they are derived. It's a sturdy, long lasting design made of posts connected by two or three thick rails, which in the original split rail design were simply the split trunks of small trees.

If you have any questions feel free to send an email to info@academyfence.com
or call (973) 674-0600 to speak with someone with at least 20 years experience. We also invite your comments.

Word of the Month: Auger

An auger is a spiral shaped tool designed to move solid or liquid material from one area to another. When the tool rotates, the material moves along the spiral to the desired location. A drill bit, which is the most common auger, uses the design to remove the shavings and other debris from the hole while it is being drilled.
Augers have been in use since as long ago as between 100 and 200 BC, when Greek mathematician Archimedes is known to have invented the first one. This design was called a water-screw, which transferred water from lower to higher levels. The Archimedes Screw is still in use today, although the task is usually done with pumps.
An auger used for digging post holes is called an earth auger, soil auger, or mechanized post hole digger. This kind of auger can be a manually turned, handheld device, or powered by an electric motor or internal-combustion engine, possibly attached to a tractor (being provided with power by the tractor engine's power take-off as shown). Handheld augers can also be used for making holes for garden planting.
Augers can be very useful when tree roots interfere with the digging of fence post holes. Augers come in many different types and sizes. Here are a few:

[gallery]

Green Bay Packers Interactive Fence

[caption id="attachment_224" align="alignright" width="300"] Packers Fence Painting source: Green Bay Press Gazette[/caption]

The famous fence across from Lambeau Field, where the Green Bay Packers play (referred to as the "crown jewel of the NFL") is famous for it's annual community painting project.

This year, as last year the Packers had a contest to develop the years slogan, which is "Donald and the Pack: Back to the Big Dance".

"People love to get involved with this and it makes a lot of sense," said Bruce Kiel, creator of the fence slogan.  "Nothing fancy, it's a good time, just back the Pack."Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy agrees that the event is a unique way for fans to support their Green and Gold."

It's a great tradition, to me it kind of signifies and personifies, the unique nature of the Packers organization, and relationship we have with our neighbors and with the community and we're very supportive of it," said Murphy.

The slogan was inspired by Packers all-star wide receiver Donald Driver's win on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" this past spring.

See a photo gallery of the painting process here.

Source: WBAY News

How to Get a Fence Quote – A Cost Estimate Calculation Tutorial

We're going to show you how to calculate the estimated cost of having a fence installed by professional fence installers. Much of the information here will also be relevant if you are planning to get a cost estimate on materials to build a fence yourself.

There are the essentially two steps to be able to acquire a quick, easy and accurate fence cost quotation:

1. Fence layout sketch with linear measurements


2. Fence Type – Style and Height

* Additional considerations

Cost will be a factor as most people determine what route to go in having a fence built, altered or repaired. The type and size of fence will have a considerable effect on the price, as will the terrain (installation conditions) on which the fence is to be installed. The process outlined below will help you put together a clear idea your specific requirements before you begin shopping, so you will be able to have an informed discussion with your fence specialist.

The first thing you will need to know is the length and height of fencing your project requires. Fencing generally comes in heights of between 4 and 8 feet. If the area to fence is large, you may want to look at the land survey that was done when the property was purchased or last assessed. Most contractors will begin by sketching the plan out with pencil and paper. It doesn't need to be pretty, but it's a great way for you to visualize and communicate your plan.

Here’s how the fence professionals do it….

1. Fence layout sketch with linear measurements

As you begin to assess your project you will notice that the basic overall layout usually can be described as resembling a linear configuration such as an “L” shape, a “U” shape, a “C” shape or a rectangle.
The simple example below shows a typical fence layout, commonly used to enclose a backyard. It shows the basic format for illustrating your plan on paper to communicate and acquire accurate fence material cost requirements and installation estimates.
The three numbers you need are:

1. Linear Measurements (Total Footage)


2. Number of Terminals


3. Number of Gates

DEMONSTRATION SAMPLE LAYOUT:

A. Linear Measurements (does not include gate)

Fence Line	Linear Footage
Line 1	8'
(3' Gate)	0'
Line 2	5'
Line 3	20'
Line 4	30'
Line 5	20'
Line 6	3'
Total Footage	86'

- Terminal Post

- Line Post

Total Footage: 86'

---

B. Terminal Posts

Number of Terminal Posts - 8 total (four corner posts and four end posts - shown as circles)

Number of Terminals: 8

---

C. Gates

Single Swing Gates – 1 (3ft wide) Double Swing Gates – 0

Number of Gates: 1
(3' wide single)

---

A. Linear measurements

Measure or estimate the length of each fence line. Support posts (also called ‘line’ or ‘intermediary’ posts) are shown here as X’s on the lines between the Terminal posts. You do not need to determine the exact amount of Line Posts at this time because this spacing will vary by fence types and styles. Every run of fence between a Corner Post, Gate Post or End Post constitutes a Fence Line. Measure or estimate the linear footage length of each fence line and indicate these linear footage dimensions on your sketch. (as shown)

B. Terminal Posts

Every time a line of fence starts or stops a Terminal Post is required. These mark the beginning and end of a Fence Line and are shown here with a small circle. There are three types of terminal posts, a Corner Posts, Gate Posts or End Posts. Terminal posts require more labor time and material to your total cost because the fence material is terminated here and additional fittings, hardware and labor are required. This is why you will get two different prices if you have 100 total linear feet with 2 terminals, as opposed to 100 linear feet with 10 terminals. You will need to have Corner Posts each time the fence line turns, End Posts every time a fence line begins or ends, and Gate posts on either side of each gate. If there is a gate post at the very end of a fence line without any fence material attached to it, it is called a ‘dead’ post. Determine the number of End Posts, Corner Posts and Gate Posts, and indicate their location on your sketch with small circles as shown.

C. Gates

Will there be gates in the fence and how many? How wide will the gates be and will they be single or double gates? You will need Gate Posts on either side of each gate.

All gates can usually be put into one of two types

• Single swing gates – (called walk gates) with widths of 3, 3/1/2, 4, 5 or 6 feet wide
  These require two gate posts, one to hang the gate on and the other to act as the latch post.


• Double swing gates – (called drive gates) with width openings of 6ft, 8ft, 10ft, and 12 ft.
  These require two gate posts for each gate leaf to hang on, the two leafs latch in the middle.

* There are various other types of less common gates and electric motorization options, but knowing and indicating the gate opening measurement will suffice for your fence company estimation visit.

Now you are ready to grab a pad, pencil, tape measure and this article, and head out to the yard and make your layout!

2. Fence Type – Style and Height

Once you have the fence layout sketch with linear measurements (above) you will need to determine the type, style and height of the fence. The first question here is .. what is the purpose of the fence?. Answering this question will eliminate all the fence styles that will not fulfill your purpose. For example, if you want to make your property feel inviting, you can rule out the 6 foot chain link fence with razor wire. If you are wanting to keep in a small dog or protect your young children in your yard and privacy is not a concern, then you can use chain link, spaced picket in wood, vinyl pvc, or aluminum picket fencing. On the other hand if your want privacy, you will be looking at chain link with slat inserts, solid board wood fence or vinyl pvc privacy fencing.

There are a few very good Fence Company Websites that have complete detailed information on all the fence types and styles available to the industry. It is worthwhile to find a site that you are comfortable with to familiarize yourself with the options the industry has to offer.

Although there are many variables which effect price such as type of fence and specific style, if it is spaced and open or solid privacy etc, the following chart demonstrates the basic relative cost structure of the main fence types.

• Welded Wire Fence – Garden fence, deer fence, chicken wire, etc. cost as low as $2 per foot.


• Chain Link Fence material is the most popular yard fencing and starts at about $6 per foot.


• Wood Fence material ranges between $12 and $15 per foot, depending on height and style.


• Aluminum Fence material is usually about $15 - $20 per foot.


• Ornamental steel and wrought iron fences are typically 21 to 30 dollars per foot.


• Decent quality (not cheap discount) PVC Vinyl Fencing material will start at about $17 per foot.

* Additional Considerations:

Terrain

The terrain (installation conditions) in which the fencing is to be installed will also be a cost factor. Is this fencing going to be installed on a hill? Will it be installed in soil, or is there pavement involved? Are there trees, bushes or ravines in the landscape that might interfere with installation? This is common sense but the more obstacles there are to installing the fence, the longer it will take and the more it will cost.

Finding Fence Companies - Walking (typing) Fingers

Once the size, material, style and terrain are determined, you're ready to talk to your specialists. If you are acquainted with a business or have friends or family who have had a good experience with a local fence installer, that will be an obvious place to start. Especially on a large project, it's common to request quotes from two or three companies. You can find local companies 1) from your local Yellow Pages, 2) by using an internet search engine, or 3) by using an independent fence company listings organization website such as www.FenceCompanyDirectory.com, where US contractors are listed by county and by types of fence they offer.
Some of the best sites have installation and material cost calculators, where you can input your details and get a immediately rendered quote.
Armed with your layout and measurements, you can also easily attain quotes by faxing or emailing your situation and requirements. As an informed consumer, you will receive more immediate attention, simply because it will require less energy on the part of the specialist. Remember to include your location and contact information.

Good Questions to ask the fence estimator:

• Is the fence company fully insured?


• Are they registered with the state as a home improvement contractor?


• Do they have their own crews that install the fence or do they subcontract it out to others?


• How long have they been in business?

Get it in Writing

Once you've received a verbal quote or estimate, be sure to get a detailed written copy before the work is begun. This is a good way to insure that both parties have the same expectations, and if there ends up being a gap in communication, you'll have the paperwork to refer to to resolve disputes.

Deposit and Payment

The most Common practice for reputable companies is to collect a deposit (usually 33-50%) at the time of signing the proposal/contract, and the balance in full at time of completion.

Warrantees / Guarantees

It is common for most companies to have different policies for the different fence types. For example, most companies will back up the material of an aluminum fence for 10 – 25 years, while not giving the same for a wood fence. It is a good idea to discuss this prior to contracting. Remember, a guarantee is only as good as the company that is offering it.

Codes and Permits

Each municipality has the authority to establish codes to determine what fence is permissible in that jurisdiction. Matters related to height limitations, property line setbacks, fence types, and vertical spacing are all at the discretion of the building department of the municipality where the fence is being installed. It will be necessary to contact your local building department to check if your project meets code and to acquire a building permit if necessary.

Take Your Time

A good fence can last decades so take whatever time is necessary to hammer out the details. Taking a slow walk through the process and procedure with the installers beforehand can bring up any unexpected challenges and prevent a hasty mid-install decision or workaround.

Enjoy the Process

Appreciate the fact that your energy is going into improving the property and/or neighborhood and respect the hard work the installers are offering. Your worry-free, positive approach will yield the best results.