If you are like most people, your home and property is a significant investment and it’s only natural that you would want to beautify and protect it. The installation of a fence is an important security element and it’s a large investment for any property owner. Selecting the right fence contractor to handle the job is essential to prevent any complications that may develop during or after the installation.

There are several tips you can use to ensure your fence installation process is successful. Keep reading to learn what those tips are.

Research the Options

Before you interview a fence contractor, you need to learn as much as you can about the company or individual you want to deal with. Much of this can be discovered with your first encounter. Some things to think about include:

• When contacting the office, there should never be a generic answer to your call. A professional company is going to have a professional answering their phones, and they should include the company’s name.
• All advertising needs to include a verifiable address. There are some fly-by-night companies that won’t have a real address they can be traced to.
• Don’t hesitate to look at the listings with the Better Business Bureau. This is offered as a free service and is designed to help consumers.
• While it may be a “knee jerk reaction” it’s not a good idea to simply go with the first company that you find. Remember, the first company listed isn’t an indication of ability.

Red Flags to Look for During an Interview

As you begin to work through the process to find your contractor, there are some other items you need to keep in mind. These include:

• If a contractor requires you to make an immediate decision, use caution.
• Anytime that a professional pressures you to pay for their services with cash isn’t a good sign. There are several legitimate businesses that will provide a cash discount to customers, but this should not be confused with a contractor that requires a cash only payment.
• A quality contractor is going to provide you with a written estimate for the services you have requested if they won’t give you one, you don’t want to do business with them.

Ask the Right Questions

Some other details you need to bring up when you talk to a fencing contractor or a potential contractor include the following:

• What materials they recommend and why they are recommending them.
• If a person is planning to repair or replace the fence and what the procedures include.
• What is the track record for a contractor staying within the estimated amount?
• How often the contractor completes jobs on time.
• If there’s a warranty offered for the work, they provide.
• If the materials be recycled if they aren’t used.

It’s important to always speak with several contractors and get a written estimate before moving forward with a decision.

Planning is Key

As you begin to make your plans to install a fence, you need to get them to make an assessment regarding what you will need to spend on labor and materials. After making these decisions it’s a good idea to share information with the fencing contractor and confirm they can work with your guidelines. Make sure you know where you want the fence to go too. This is crucial when planning the installation of a fence.

Do you live in an Home Owners Association (HOA) neighborhood? If so, then you are aware that there are many rules and regulations that go along with living in this type of neighborhood. This is also the case when it comes to installing a fence. As a homeowner in an HOA, you can’t just install a fence when and if you want. Instead, you need to get permission from the HOA to go ahead with any plans to build a fence on your property. This also goes for any other changes you wish to make on the outside of your property.

Importance of Contacting Your HOA Before Installing a Fence

If your goal is to install a fence, you will need to know the exact HOA regulations for doing this. Does the HOA allow chain link fences, split rails, or containment fences for example? What are the proper dimensions for a fence on your particular property? It would be a sorry waste of time and money to install a fence that your HOA objects to. That’s why it is important to understand these rules and regulations before making a fence choice. To get the HOA approval for a new fence, this typically takes anywhere from one week to two months. But it’s worth the wait to ensure you install the right fence according to the rules in place. If you were to choose to simply go ahead with a fencing project without HOA permission, you could face fines and orders to tear down the fence.

Of course, this can be avoided by working with Western Fence Company who will ensure the job is done professionally and to the standards outlined by the HOA. When you purchased your home, you were given a copy of the HOA rules and regulations. This is a good time to break out that manuscript and find all the information you need about installing or upgrading a new fence on your property, and Western Fence Company is here to help you get the job done right.

Deciding on your new fence does not have to be a stressful decision. Before getting started, you will also want to find the right contractor for the job. Make sure they are licensed and check all of their references. Find all of the material you will need for your fencing project here at Western Fence Co. Contact us today for all of your fencing needs: 1-888-GET-FENCE.

There are many types of fences available on the market, making it difficult for some homeowners to choose which one would best suit their needs. While wood continues to be a popular choice due to the way it looks and the fact it can be painted any color, vinyl fences are quickly gaining popularity for a variety of reasons. Learn why you may want to choose vinyl for your next fence, rather than sticking to the traditional wood or chain link options of the past.

No Sealing or Staining Required

When you choose vinyl fencing, you won’t need to seal it against the weather or stain it to help protect it. Vinyl is incredibly durable. While you can paint it any color you want, the truth remains you don’t have to do anything to it if you don’t want to. All you need to do is install it and go.

Solid, Colored Material

Vinyl fences are made from solid, colored material so it already looks the way you want it when it arrives at your home. You won’t have to worry about repainting it because it holds its color well, nor will you need to worry about it separating at the seams. Each fence post and fence piece is made from one solid piece.

Safe for Kids

When you have kids running and playing in your yard, you want them to be safe. After all, this is probably why you’re installing a fence in the first place. Unfortunately, wood can cause splinters and chain link fences are known to rust and can scratch, not to mention they’re easy to climb. If you choose vinyl for your fence, you can rest assured your kids will be safer in your backyard. There are no pieces to splinter off, and they are extremely difficult to climb.

Little Wear and Tear

Vinyl is a durable material that can stand the test of time and just about anything Mother Nature can throw at it. When you invest in vinyl fences, you can rest assured it was built to last. You won’t have to worry about replacing rotten pieces or boards that have broken or otherwise splintered. These fences are designed to last for many years with little to no maintenance required. Because the vinyl is also somewhat flexible, you won’t even have to worry about it breaking from high winds. It’s far more likely to bend and give a little than it is to break, causing a costly replacement.

There are many reasons homeowners choose to use a fence. Whether it’s privacy or to keep your kids or pets safe in your yard, choosing the right fence can seem like a major undertaking. While it’s important to look closely at the pros and cons of each type, chances are you’ll find vinyl is a great option once you understand why it’s been gaining popularity in recent years.

There are many different types of fences in existence today, but one of the most commonly used of all is none other than the traditional chain link. This style can be found in just about every part of the world, on residential properties, commercial businesses and on school campuses. There are numerous reasons why this style of fence is so popular, though it is important to install it properly and maintain it in order to ensure it lasts for as long as possible. If you are considering a chain link fence for your property, here’s what you should know:

The Benefits of a Chain Link Fence

As a barrier, a chain link fence of course serves the primary purposes of a fence in the first place: privacy, security and even appearance. That said, it also happens to be a lot more cost effective than other types of fencing, saving property owners a ton whether they need a lot of it or just a little. They can also be installed rather quickly (usually in less than a day), and are also usually flexible enough to fit around any property (hills and curved boundaries are not obstacles).

As for appearance, this is really just another benefit of chain link. Many people like the fact that they can see through it, providing more sunlight and an open feel. Others choose to create a more private effect by growing ivy or other plants along their chain link fence. Of course, chain link can also be painted a wide variety of colors for those who want it to coordinate further twith their personal tastes.

Other benefits include:

• Security– Pets and small children have a contained space to run around in
• Openness with neighbors– While these fences do provide privacy, many people like the fact that they can easily communicate with their neighbors and foster relationships.
• High durability– Chain link fencing are almost shockingly durable. Thanks to their ability to withstand just about any weather condition, they are sometimes referred to as “hurricane fences”. Additionally, mold and natural pests like termites are not a threat.
• Low Rust Risk– Thanks to a galvanization process used on modern chain link fences, the risk of rust is relatively low compared to other metal materials.
• Easy Maintenance– These fences are fairly easy to keep up, and on the rare occasion when lasting damage does occur, it usually just involves a post or small sections that need to be replaced.
• Increased Property Value– Well maintained fencing always ups the value of any property

Things to Consider Before Installation

Now, before just marching ahead and installing a chain link fence on any property, it is important to take a few things in to consideration. For example, some areas have specific zoning and construction laws that may restrict what kind of fence you can use on your property, and these laws may also affect where it can be placed. You should always do your research on these before making your decision, but of course consulting with an experienced fencing contractor can also help.

And as great a choice as chain link fences usually are, there are also a couple of downsides to consider. The most obvious here is that they do not provide as much privacy as some other types of fencing, and it is also wise to consider the fact that they do not provide as much security (chain link can easily be climbed by those who are determined). Nevertheless, if your highest values are with affordability and the various other benefits that chain link fencing can provide, then these small shortcomings may not be an issue.

Finding the Right Contractor

The quality of chain link fencing depends greatly on how it is installed. A poorly aligned or badly measured fence, for example, may wear down and sag not long after it is installed. If you’re unsure of how exactly to find the right contractor for the job, following these points is a good rule of thumb:

• Experience– Make sure the contractor has years of experiencing specifically with chain link fencing. Furthermore, they should have experience working on the same type of property as your own (beware of hiring someone who only has experience with residential jobs for a commercial one, for example)
• High Responsiveness– Any contractor who is serious about their work and their clients will respond quickly and reasonably to all inquiries
• Attention to Detail– Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions. A good contractor will pay close attention to details and will be able to answer everything.
• Proper Accreditation and Certifications– Take a look at what your local laws require for contractors, and make sure that the business in question had everything they need to legally perform the work. BBB Accreditation and commercial insurance are also good signs.
• Good Value– It’s not always wise to go with the cheapest option, nor is it best to go with the most expensive. Your contractor should be priced fairly for the work they are performing while still providing high quality services.

Contact Western Fence Co. to learn more about how we meet all of these points and more.

Fence Maintenance

Once your fence is installed, it is important that you take proper care of it so that it lasts for a long time. It is a good idea to clean it regularly (usually just spraying with a water hose and gently wiping away any tougher soiled areas will be enough). You should also check it for loose components, especially around the posts. When caught early, the fence can easily be tightened before it worsens into a bigger problem. At Western Fence Co., we can provide you with all the information you need about keeping your fence looking like new and lasting for decades.

Making a fence stand out might be tricky for some.  It is easy to choose the traditional fencing materials that look the same from yard to yard, but going out on a limb with repurposed materials could allow you to be the talk of the neighborhood.  Take a look at the article below that talks about four different materials that make good fencing materials and think about making your fence truly unique!

Ideas for What to Use for a Repurposed Fence

By Jennifer Blair

Whether you like the idea of having a one-of-a-kind landscape or make an
effort to recycle whenever you can, using materials that are lying
around your garage or basement to build a fence is a budget- and
environmentally-friendly way to add character to your yard. It’s also a
project that allows you to get creative because you can use a number of
items for effective fencing. The key is determining which type of fence
you need because a privacy fence requires solid materials while a
decorative fence can have an open design.

Pallets

Wooden shipping
pallets work well for recycled fencing because they look similar to a
traditional wooden fence. Use pallets that are in good condition and
check those you’re planning to recycle for signs of mold or other damage
that might weaken the fence. Dry hardwood makes effective posts for a
pallet fence, and you can cut or partially disassemble the pallets in
any way you want to create a decorative look for the fencing. Removing
every other board from the front of the pallets and all of the boards
from the back is one of the more common ways to use them. To ensure that
your pallet fencing lasts, use a sealer or preservative to protect it
from the elements. You can also paint or stain it if you want a more
eye-catching look.

Tin Ceiling Tiles

If
you want a fence that makes an artistic statement, get your hands on
some old tin ceiling tiles. Vintage ceiling tiles are available at
thrift stores, antique shops and online auction sites. They come in a
range of colors and usually feature raised designs that give them an
interesting texture. The ceiling tiles don’t have to match — the beauty
of using them for your fence is that you can create a patchwork effect
that adds a whimsical look to your landscape. You will need to use
lumber to create a frame for the ceiling tiles, but recycled or
reclaimed pieces work well if you want the entire fence to be made from
reused materials.

Windows

Old
windows can serve as a garden fence. You can use the windows with the
glass panes still in place or use the frames by themselves for
open-style fencing. The trick to repurposing windows for your fence is
finding frames that are all the same size, which is why window fencing
works best for shorter fences where you won’t need as many frames to
create the fence. If you can’t find enough windows in the same size to
enclose your entire garden, try alternating large and small frames to
create a decorative edge for the top of the fence. Screw the frames for
each section of fencing together and add posts to install it as you
would a traditional fence.

Glass Bottles

If
you want to create a truly striking fence, gather up all the bottles
that you’ve been planning to recycle. Glass bottles can become
surprisingly effective fencing materials when you pair them with rebar.
While you can use any bottles, colored glass usually provides the most
interesting look. Drill holes in the bottles, which can be tricky, so
use a special glass-cutting drill bit and work slowly to avoid cracking
the glass. Once you have holes in the bottles, stack them on rebar that
you’ve cut to right height. You can use reclaimed lumber for the frame
or use additional rebar to serve as the frame. Glass bottles create a
lovely effect because they reflect light, but plastic bottles are
lightweight and easier to work with.