Most fence problems get baked in at the kitchen table. Nobody asked how deep the posts go, who calls 811, or what the warranty actually covers, and the answers turned out different than everybody assumed. A good contractor won't mind any of these questions. Answering them is part of the job. If somebody gets annoyed or goes vague, that tells you something too.
Take this list to every estimate. Write the answers down, and get the important ones on the quote itself. For what the quote should look like on paper, see what a fence quote should include.
About the company
"Are you licensed for this work where I live?"
Licensing rules for fence and home improvement work vary by state, and sometimes by city or county. Some places require a license and some don't. Ask, then look the number up with your state licensing board if one applies.
"Can you send me proof of insurance?"
Ask for a certificate of insurance for general liability, and workers comp if they have employees. Best is a certificate sent straight from their insurance agent, not a photo of a card. If a worker gets hurt in your yard, you want their policy dealing with it, not yours.
"Who will actually build my fence?"
Some companies run their own crews and some use subcontractors. Both can do good work. You just want to know who shows up, who's in charge on site, and who you call if something looks off.
"Can I see fences you've built near me?"
Recent local jobs tell you more than a photo gallery. Drive by a few if you can. Look at the gates and the corners, because that's where shortcuts show first.
About the build
"How deep will you set the posts, and how?"
There's no one right number. Depth depends on fence height, soil, wind, and frost line, and posts can go in concrete, tamped gravel, or get driven. What matters is a straight answer, a reason it fits your ground, and the answer written on the quote. If they won't commit to a depth, keep shopping.
"What do you use for corner, end, and gate posts?"
Those posts carry more load than the line posts in the middle of a run. Ask whether they upsize them or set them deeper. Gate posts most of all, since a gate is a lever hanging off one post.
"How will the gates be built and hung?"
Ask about hinge and latch type, whether the latch takes a lock, how they keep a wide gate from sagging, and whether double gates get a drop rod. If you have a pool, ask about self closing and self latching hardware, and check your local pool barrier rules with the permit office.
"How do you handle slope?"
Stepped or racked, and what the gap at the bottom will look like. If you have a dog, bring the dog into this conversation.
"Which side faces out, and what fasteners do you use?"
Some towns and HOAs have rules about which side faces the neighbor. Fastener choice decides whether you get rust streaks down the boards a few years in. Coated or stainless is what you want to hear. For material and style tradeoffs, see our materials guide and styles guide.
Permits, 811, and the property line
"Who pulls the permit, and who handles the HOA?"
Ask whether the permit fee is in the price and whether they wait for approval before digging. Height limits, setbacks, and HOA rules vary, so check with your local permit office and your HOA yourself. A contractor who says "we never bother with permits" is handing the risk to you.
"Who places the 811 ticket?"
Ask who calls 811, when, and whether you'll get the ticket number. Then ask how they handle private lines that 811 usually doesn't mark, like sprinklers, invisible dog fence, landscape lighting, or power to a shed. Show them anything you know about. Contractors can find a full office checklist on AI Fence Pros.
"Where exactly does the fence go relative to my property line?"
Most contractors expect the homeowner to know the line. Ask how far inside the line they'll set the fence and what they need from you, like located pins or a survey. If you're unsure where the line is, get a survey before you sign, not after the posts are in.
Old fence, yard, and cleanup
"Is tear out and haul off included?"
Ask whether old posts and footings get pulled or cut off below grade, and whether the debris actually leaves your property.
"What happens to the dirt from the holes?"
Spread on site or hauled away. While you're at it, ask about scraps, cutoffs, loose screws, and whether they run a magnet over the yard when they finish.
"How do you protect my yard while you work?"
Ask where they'll park, how they'll get equipment and material to the back yard, and what they do about soft ground, septic fields, and landscaping beds. If a gate or a section of an existing fence has to come down for access, find out who puts it back. Damage that nobody talked about ahead of time turns into an argument at the end of the job.
"What do you need from me before install day?"
Clear the fence line, flag sprinkler heads, keep pets inside, unlock gates, move cars. Knowing this up front keeps the crew from standing around waiting, and nobody likes paying for that.
Money and warranty
"How much is the deposit, and when is the rest due?"
Get the payment schedule in writing and tie the final payment to a finished job and a walkthrough. Some states limit deposits on home improvement jobs, so check with your state consumer protection office if the number seems high.
"How do change orders work?"
An extra gate, a moved run, a rock ledge where the posts go. Ask how they price changes, and make sure every change is written and agreed before the work gets done.
"What does your warranty cover, and for how long?"
Ask about the workmanship warranty, which covers their install, separately from the manufacturer warranty, which covers the material. Get both in writing, along with what voids them and who handles a claim.
Timeline
"When can you start, and how long will you be here?"
Get a start window and a rough count of days on site. Ask what happens with weather or material delays, and how they'll give you a heads up before the crew rolls in.
"What happens at the end of the job?"
Ask for a final walkthrough with whoever ran the crew. Open and close every gate, push on the corner posts, look down the line for a straight top, and check the cleanup. Anything that isn't right goes on a short punch list with a date to fix it, before the final payment. Ask what upkeep the fence needs and what would void the warranty, so you don't find out the hard way.
Red flags
- Pressure to sign today to get a special price.
- No written quote, or a quote that is one line long.
- Won't tell you post depth or how posts get set.
- Can't or won't show proof of insurance.
- Wants a lot of cash up front before anything is ordered or scheduled.
- Says permits and 811 aren't needed without checking.
None of these prove somebody is a bad contractor. They're reasons to slow down and get it in writing. For what drives the price itself, see our cost guide.