9 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Fence Builder
Two fences can look identical on the day they're finished and age completely differently. One stands straight for twenty years. The other leans after the second hurricane season. The difference is almost always in things you can't see once the job is done: how deep the posts go, what's holding them, what the boards are fastened with and how the gates are hung.
That's why the conversation you have before you hire a fence builder matters so much. Here are nine questions worth asking every builder you talk to in Edinburg, and what good answers sound like.
1. How deep do you set the posts, and in what?
This is the most important question on the list. Posts carry the whole fence, and in South Texas they're also where most fences fail.
A good answer: posts are set roughly a third of their above-ground height into the ground (often two to three feet for a six-foot fence), in concrete, with the concrete shaped so water runs away from the post instead of pooling against it.
A red flag: posts set shallow, or set in dirt or gravel only for a tall privacy fence, unless there's a clear reason.
Also ask whether they offer galvanized steel posts. Wood posts are where rot and termites start. Steel posts cost a little more and remove that problem.
2. What's included in the price?
Quotes that look very different are often covering different work. Ask directly whether the price includes:
- Removing and hauling off your old fence
- All gates and gate hardware
- Concrete for every post
- Staining or sealing (for wood)
- Cleanup of dirt, concrete and scraps
- Any permit fees
Get the answers in writing on the quote. It's the only fair way to compare builders.
3. What materials will you use, exactly?
"Wood fence" can mean many things. Ask:
- Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
- What thickness are the boards?
- How many rails per section?
- What are the boards fastened with? Galvanized or stainless screws and nails hold up far better than plain steel in humid Valley air.
For metal fences, ask about the coating. Powder-coated or galvanized steel resists rust much longer than painted steel. For chain link, ask the wire gauge and whether the posts and rails are galvanized or coated.
4. Are you insured?
Fence building involves digging, power tools and heavy materials. If someone gets hurt on your property or damages a buried line, you want the builder's insurance covering it, not yours. Ask for proof of liability insurance, and ask whether workers are covered too.
5. Who handles permits and HOA approval?
Depending on the height and location of your fence, the City of Edinburg may require a permit. Many Edinburg subdivisions also require HOA approval before a fence goes up. Ask whether the builder handles the paperwork or expects you to. Either is fine, as long as everyone knows who's doing it before work starts.
If your neighborhood has an HOA, share the written fence rules with every builder so you're comparing quotes for a fence you're actually allowed to build.
6. How will you handle the property line?
Building a fence a few inches on the wrong side of a property line can lead to disputes with neighbors and, in the worst cases, having to move the fence. Ask how the builder confirms the line. On larger lots and rural tracts around Edinburg, a survey is worth the cost.
Also ask the builder to call in buried utility locates before digging. Hitting a gas, water or fiber line is dangerous and expensive.
7. What's the timeline?
Ask two things: when can they start, and how long will the job take once they do. A typical backyard fence takes one to three days of work. Custom steel panels or gates may take one to three weeks to build before installation. Long ranch fence runs take longer.
Be careful with a builder who promises to start tomorrow during the busy spring and summer season. It can happen, but ask why they're available.
8. What does your warranty cover?
Most builders offer some kind of warranty on their workmanship, and materials may carry a manufacturer's warranty. Ask:
- How long is the workmanship warranty?
- What does it cover: leaning posts, sagging gates, loose boards?
- What doesn't it cover: storm damage, normal weathering?
- How do you make a claim?
A builder who stands behind their posts and gates for a year or more is telling you something about how they build.
9. Can I see some of your recent work?
Photos are a start, but the best proof is a fence they built a few years ago. Ask if they have any in your part of town you could drive by. A fence that's still straight after a few summers says more than any brochure.
Reviews help too. Look for comments about posts, gates and how the builder handled problems, not only about price.
How to compare quotes side by side
Once you have two or three quotes, line them up:
| Builder A | Builder B | Builder C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length and height | |||
| Material and board style | |||
| Post type and depth | |||
| Gates included | |||
| Tear-out and haul-off | |||
| Warranty | |||
| Start date and duration | |||
| Total price |
The lowest number isn't always the best value. A fence with deeper posts, steel posts or better fasteners can easily outlast a cheaper one by many years.
Let us find the builder for you
We connect Edinburg homeowners and landowners with independent local fence builders who do your type of fence. Whether it's a privacy fence for your backyard or ranch and pipe fence for acreage, tell us about your project and a builder will reach out with a free quote.
