Fences are essential for providing privacy and security and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your property. With so many options available, choosing the right fence and contractor can be daunting. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the various aspects of fence installation and make an informed decision.
Planning Stage
Do Fence Contractors Need to be Licensed?
Absolutely! A state contractor's license is crucial to ensure the quality of work and professionalism in fence installation. In California, a C-13 license is required for fence contractors. Using the Fence License Lookup, you can verify their license, bond, and insurance. Fantastic Fence is a fully licensed and insured fencing contractor with a C-13 license number 979657.
Why is a California Contractor's License Important?
Hiring a licensed contractor helps you avoid financial risks and other problems associated with unlicensed operators. Unlicensed individuals may not have proper insurance or bonds, posing risks to your property and financial security. Always verify the contractor's license before hiring them for your fence installation.
Are You Insured and Bonded?
Yes, Fantastic Fence is insured and bonded, meeting or exceeding all California state regulations for insurance. Our employees, vehicles, and work are all covered by our insurance policies.
Do You Offer Free Estimates?
Yes, Fantastic Fence offers free estimates for all projects. Give us a call at 916-248-5518 or fill out our online contact form. We need to assess each project individually to provide an accurate proposal, considering factors such as material, style, digging conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances.
How Long Has Fantastic Fence Been Installing Fences?
Fantastic Fence has been installing fences since 2012 in the Sacramento and Roseville areas. Our commitment to 5-star customer service has allowed us to grow into a team of over 40 professionals serving communities from Elk Grove to Auburn and El Dorado Hills to Davis.
In 2020, we opened a second location in Sacramento, CA, to better serve fence repairs and replacements in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, Folsom, and West Sacramento.
Are Your Installers Employees or Subcontractors?
Fantastic Fence only employs W-2 employees, ensuring that our team consists of trained experts who successfully complete projects like yours daily. Companies with W-2 employees invest in continual training, providing a higher standard of work compared to subcontractors.
What is the Scheduling Process?
Your fence installation will be scheduled based on a first-come-first-serve basis. Our design consultants will work with you to accommodate your needs as much as possible, considering project scope, materials availability, permits, current workload, and weather conditions.
Who Calls 811 for Underground Public Utilities?
Fantastic Fence marks the utility lines and calls in before arriving at your property. It is a legal requirement to ensure the safety of underground utilities such as electric power, gas, water, telecommunications, cable television, and internet. While we mark public utilities, the customer must inform us of any private utilities, such as wells, irrigation systems, drainage, pool electrical/gas lines, etc.
Do You Offer Financing?
Yes! We provide financing options to help our customers budget for their new fences. This allows you to spread the cost of the fence project over months or years, making it easier to fit into your monthly budget. Learn more about our Fence Installation Financing.»
Are Written Contracts Important?
A written contract is crucial for establishing a professional working relationship that protects you and the fencing company. It outlines the style, footage, and cost of each quoted section of the fence. Fantastic Fence always provides a written contract detailing materials, styles, footage, and costs.
Should I Notify My Neighbors About the Fence Replacement?
Yes, if the fence is on a shared property line, both neighbors must sign off on the agreement, regardless of who pays. Communication with your neighbors is essential for a smooth project and allows us to address both parties' questions or concerns.
If Neighbors Share the Cost of the Fence, Who Collects from Them?
We have a contract where neighbors can agree to be responsible for a specified amount of the fence project cost. During the project approval stage, both parties can designate their share and sign off to be invoiced separately.
How Long Will the Project Take?
While every fence project is unique, most backyard fence installations in the Sacramento and Placer areas average 1 to 3 days. We will provide you with a more precise timeline estimate before starting the project, taking into account footage, styles, and known soil conditions.
What Type of Fences Do You Install?
Fantastic Fence installs various fencing materials to cater to varying customer needs and budgets. We offer redwood, chain link, black ornamental iron, vinyl, and agricultural fencing.
Are There Any Rules Regulating Fence Types and Placement?
Fence regulations vary from place to place. While we are familiar with general fence regulations in Sacramento and Placer, California, your specific neighborhood and property may have additional restrictions. Zoning ordinances often regulate fence placement, size, and height. Although we will do our best to advise you based on our knowledge, the homeowner must ultimately confirm with their local planning jurisdiction and HOA.
How Tall Can My Fence Be?
The maximum fence height you may have may be subject to local regulations. Here are some quick links to planning departments and ordinances you can reference based on your city. For residential fences, no standard is set. However, there are common measurements fence companies go by. For instance, front yard fences are usually just around three feet tall.
Meanwhile, backyard fences can be six to seven feet tall if local zoning regulations allow. The height of your fence would depend on what you would need it for. For privacy purposes, a height of six feet may be ideal to completely conceal your property.
Will I Save Money If I Tear Out the Old Fence Myself?
Fantastic Fence does not charge for the removal and disposal of old fences. Therefore, there is no discount if you want to tear it out and dispose of it yourself. We are able to do this because, fortunately, it only takes a few minutes to cut down an old fence and put it on a flatbed truck. Through a partnership with wood and metal recyclers, we can unload your old materials and put them to new good use.
Do Fences Need Concrete Around the Posts?
The simple answer is yes. Across the country, there is an excellent debate on whether it is better to set posts in dirt or packed gravel or to cement them in. Installing thousands of fences each year, Fantastic Fence has found that fences installed with a proper concrete footing stand the test of time. The concrete acts as a counterbalance to the swaying weight of the fence and protects the posts from decay and rot. We recommend installing with quality High Strength concrete with a compression strength of 4000 psi or greater, not standard fence post mix.
How Far Apart Are Posts?
With wood, iron, or vinyl fences, posts are typically just under 8' apart. These products come in dimensions of 8' long. Some sections can be a little smaller or up to 10'. If there is an obstruction in the ground, we have to cross over, but nothing longer than 10' is acceptable. The typical distance between posts is 10 feet for chain-link and agricultural wire fences.
What is a Hard Dig Clause, and How to Watch Out for It?
Conditional clauses are never good! Many fence contractors have clauses in their contract talking about additional fees that will be added onto the agreed-upon price if soil conditions at your home are more difficult than expected. This can be caused by things such as rock or clay, etc. At Fantastic Fence, our agreed price is the set price. There are no add-on costs if the ground is more challenging than expected. Since we have years of experience digging at thousands of homes per year, we have a professional expectation of what is to be expected in the ground. In areas where it is notoriously hard to dig, we consider this in our initial proposal, allowing us to lock the price and not have any "conditions."
Prior to Installation Day
Do You Locate Property Lines and Install the Fence on the Property Line?
At Fantastic Fence, we will install your new fence where the old fence was originally located unless instructed by you to install the fence in a different location. We do not accept liability for survey disputes between property owners. If you have concerns about the location of your property line or fence, we recommend contacting a local survey company to locate, clearly mark, and establish the property lines.
Do I Need to Trim Plants, Trees, and Shrubs Along the Fence Line?
During your initial site visit, discuss this with the estimator. They will also pay attention to any potential obstacles. We require 18-24 inches of clearance on both sides of the fence line prior to beginning the project. Direct access to the fence line is necessary for tear-out and installation. Removing anything attached to the fence and trimming bushes that limit access would be appreciated. Sometimes, we clear the fence line at an additional cost. The design consultant will inform you of any necessary actions during the estimate.
Does the Crew Trim Tree Limbs or Bushes in the Way of the Fence?
We kindly ask you to handle tree limbs and bush trimming before the fence installation. Though Fantastic Fence crews are experts in fence installation, they have limited knowledge of proper trimming and pruning practices. Excessive trimming required by Fantastic Fence may be subject to additional charges. Our teams appreciate you trimming back vegetation close to the fence, allowing them to work efficiently on building your beautiful new fence.
Will You Remove and Reinstall Items Attached to My Fence?
Please remove your valuables from the fence construction site before the project begins. During fence removal, we may unknowingly damage or dispose of these items. Fantastic Fence is not responsible for damage to items attached to the fence and will not reinstall items after the new fence is installed.
Does the Fence Crew Dig Out All the Old Posts and Footings?
Typically, all corner, gate, and terminal posts will be dug up and reset in the exact same spot. It is standard practice and within the American Fence Association (AFA) industry guidelines to cut line posts below the grade and re-space the new posts. The design consultant usually determines the need for this process which will be discussed with you since each job is unique.
After Installation
What is Your Warranty/Guarantee?
Fantastic Fence takes pride in its workmanship and offers a 1-year warranty on all materials and installation. Our skilled installers perform all projects, ensuring your fence repair or replacement is done correctly. Additionally, some products come with extended manufacturer warranties on materials, giving you peace of mind and confidence in your investment.
Wood Fence Maintenance Tips
Wood fences require regular maintenance to extend their longevity and keep them looking their best. Here are some essential maintenance tips for your wood fence:
Inspect Pickets
Check for loose nails and secure them back into place. If you find severely warped pickets, either re-secure them or replace the damaged ones individually. While an average amount of weathering is expected, watch for unusual issues.
Check Posts
Visually inspect the bottom of the posts for signs of rot. If you find extensive decay, you may need to replace the affected post to prevent further damage. Also, check for damage caused by weed eaters and minimize such damage in the future.
Ornamental Iron Fence Maintenance Tips
Ornamental iron fencing typically requires minimal maintenance. However, it's essential to routinely inspect the fence for preventive maintenance. Here are some tips to help you maintain your ornamental iron fence:
Clean Your Fence
Clean these with soap and water if you notice dirt buildup, pool/lawn chemical residue, mold, mildew, or debris from trees. Regular cleaning will help maintain the fence's appearance and prevent damage.
Repair Chips and Scratches
If you find any chips or scratches, fix them to prevent rust. Sand or wire brush the area before applying a rust-inhibiting primer/paint exterior high gloss enamel.
Vinyl Fence Cleaning Tips
Vinyl fences are low-maintenance but require occasional cleaning to keep them looking new. Here's how to clean your vinyl fence:
Wash with Mild Soap and Water
Most dirt can be removed by washing the fence with a mild soap and water solution. Additionally, you may want to spray your fence with a garden hose to remove grass clippings, dirt, and fertilizer chemicals.
Remove Stains
For minor stains, use a non-abrasive liquid cleaner. For heavier stains, use a non-toxic household cleaner. To remove significant stains, follow the manufacturer's directions for one of these cleaning agents:
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Simple Green® All Purpose Cleaner
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Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser
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Mineral Spirits
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Trichloroethylene
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CLR (Calcium, Lime, and Rust) Cleaner
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Vinegar