One of the biggest challenges I face with my business concerns fencing.  More specifically, quoting new fencing projects.

It’s not that I don’t know how to build a fence.  Or price one out.  On the contrary, we build some of the finest fences around, and I wouldn’t still be in business after more than a dozen years if I didn’t know how to price out my services.

No, the problem has more to do with my competition.  More than any other service I offer, fencing seems to have the biggest range of pricing.  Both from a material standpoint as well as from rival contractors.

It seems everybody thinks they can install a fence.  And to be honest, if anybody has a halfway decent work ethic and knows how to use a screwgun, a lot of people can install a fence.  But not everybody can create a fence.

What’s the difference, you may ask?

Installing a fence refers more to purchasing some pre-fabricated fencing panels, and simply installing them where you see fit.  This isn’t to say that a fair amount of work isn’t required – it is.  You still need to dig your postholes, set the posts, and connect the pre-fab panels.

Most big box home improvement stores sell several varieties of pre-fab fencing panels.  As do many fencing supply specialty stores.  Depending on the source, there are often anywhere from four or five to fifteen or twenty styles available.  You select the style you want, purchase the panels, and install away.

Pre-fab panels come in a wide range of quality, but most commonly sold panels are of the lesser quality.  The wood is typically thinner, usually pine, often is not treated for weather-resistance, and is usually held together with staples or smaller gauge nails. 

Compare this to creating a fence from scratch.  Instead of buying pre-fab panels, lumber is purchased directly as individual boards.  Once the layout and design are determined, the materials are brought to the site and the fence is built from scratch onsite, board by board.

Design options for a custom-created fence are unlimited.  Whereas the pre-fab panel designs are limited to only what’s in stock, a custom-created fence can be built to conform with any original design ideas.

Whether you’ve seen a picture in a magazine, admired a fence at a neighbors or public setting, or come up with your own unique original design idea, a custom-created fence can be built to match. 

And a custom-created fence can work around those commonly found obstacles on nearly every site – large trees, tree roots, and slope changes to name a few.  Additionally, existing bushes or shrubs can often be left in place with minimal pruning, since the fences are constructed in smaller parts as opposed to making room for the more cumbersome larger 8’ panels.

Custom fence creation also allows for quality control when it comes to material selection.  Individual boards can be sorted and picked over to ensure only the best wood is used.  You’re free to choose any type of wood you want, whether it’s pressure-treated, red cedar, white cedar, locust, teak, ipe -- you name it.  And you’re free to select thicker more durable dimensions that will last much longer than the commonly used ½” or ¾” dimensions commonly used in the pre-fab panels.

You’re also free to use whatever types of fasteners you choose.  We like to use decking screws that offer a corrosion-free, streak-free, long-lasting, strong connection at every connection point.

As I’m sure you can imagine, a custom-created fence typically runs more expensive than the pre-fab installations, due to the higher quality of materials and custom craftsmanship that goes into every fence.

This isn’t to say that the basic fence installations don’t have their place.  For homeowners who may only be planning on staying in their current home for just a few years, rental properties, or fences that are only intended to serve a purpose for a limited time period, a less expensive basic installation may just fit your needs.

But when you’re interviewing contractors and collecting estimates, be sure to know what is being spec’d out.  If you’re looking for quality and durability, shopping on price alone may leave you sorely disappointed.  When looking at various estimates, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples, and ask your contractor how his fences are constructed.

If you understand this basic difference, you’ll most likely save everybody headaches down the road.  Happy fencing!

So you want to build a fence, eh?  There are thousands of reasons why people shop for new fencing.  Maybe your family just adopted a new pet.  Perhaps the new next-door neighbors aren’t exactly what you were hoping for.  Or maybe you’ve absolutely had it with the local deer population eating your prized hydrangeas.  Whatever the reason, it’s a big investment, and one that you shouldn’t just rush into.

For a few reasons.  A quality well-built fence will be part of your landscape for years to come.  It’s an opportunity to provide not just function to your yard, but form as well.  After all, you will be looking at it every time you open the door.  So before you begin seeking estimates, its important that you consider a few factors and plan accordingly.

Begin by identifying just what you want the fence to accomplish.  Whether its keeping animals in or out, adding privacy to a yard, or simply defining property lines, it’s important that you are clear as to what you want the fence to accomplish.  Once you identify the desired function of the fence, you can begin to think about the form -- factors such as the height of the fence, an “open” design with gaps vs. a “solid” design, location and overall appearance.

This planning phase is also a good opportunity to evaluate other effects that you may not have thought of.  This is your chance to think about if and where you may want gates included, whether you’ll need a wider access point for landscaping equipment or trailers, whether there are other parts of the yard that you may want to isolate or screen off, and what negative impacts your new fence may have on the overall feel for the neighborhood.

Check your local ordinances.  Nearly every township and borough has a different set of regulations concerning fence construction.  Just because your co-worker was able to build a certain fence at his or her house doesn’t necessarily mean it will be allowed in your town.  In my home county of Delaware County, PA, there are nearly 50 local municipalities, each with a different set of ordinances.  Some ordinances are rather lenient, others not so much.  Specific things that you may want to ask about include the need for permits (and the associated permit fees), the need for an official property survey, height regulations, location restrictions in proximity to the street or property boundaries, and “open” vs. “solid” allowances are just a few of the more common ordinances.  And if you have a swimming pool on the property those codes (and insurance requirements) can get even more involved.  Before you even begin getting estimates, make sure your desired fence is in compliance with the local codes.  Otherwise you may just be wasting your time and money.

Additionally, I always recommend letting your neighbors know of your intended plans.  Some local municipalities actually require that you submit letters of approval from your neighbors in conjunction with permit applications.  Even if they don’t, it’s always the neighborly thing to do.  Many times you may find that once you address your ideas with your neighbors that they may even want to chip in with the cost.

Give some thought to the materials.  Again local ordinances may regulate what materials may or may not be allowed.  Wood, vinyl, iron, aluminum, chain link, wire mesh – there’s a myriad of available options.  All of which will have an impact on cost, aesthetics, maintenance, and longevity.

And give some thought to whether you want a permanent fence built to last, or whether you may want to take the fence down in a few years once the kids are grown and the new puppy has mellowed out a bit.  There are a number of inexpensive fencing options out there that may look nice and perform your desired function, but they may not be designed to last for more than a few years.

Shop around, but don’t feel limited to what you see on showroom floors or big box stores.  Our favorite fencing projects are always the ones where we can be a bit creative and custom construct a unique fence that doesn’t look like every other one in the neighborhood.  Custom construction also allows for unique site conditions such as slopes, trees and root mass.

And like any home improvement project, it’s always a good idea to make sure your contractor is licensed and insured, and check their references.  And be specific to make sure your contractor is tuned in to the local ordinances.  Many of the larger fence installers who service a broad area may not be aware of the specific codes in your small town.

If you have any questions regarding your desired fencing project or would like to discuss a custom design, please feel free to contact us at clark@clarkkentcreations.com.  Hope to hear from you!