FAQ · 3 min read
What should I check before hiring a fence company?
Ten things to get in writing before you sign, with the reasons each one matters on Conroe-area lots.
Short answer: Compare what's written down, not just the total. A solid quote spells out post depth and concrete, materials and rails, gates and hardware, tear-out and cleanup, who handles 811 and approvals, and the warranty terms. If an item isn't in writing, assume it isn't included.
The checklist
| Get in writing | Why it matters around Conroe |
|---|---|
| An itemized quote | Linear feet, height, material grade, post type, gates, and hardware, each on its own line. On wooded lots, brush clearing should be a separate item so it can't show up later as a surprise. |
| Post depth and concrete | Most of the county has sandy soil over slower-draining clay, so shallow posts lean early. The quote should state the depth and how much concrete goes in each hole, with more for gate and corner posts. |
| Rails, bottom board, fasteners | How many rails, whether there's a rot board, and what holds rails to posts. These are where cheap wood fences fail first in our humidity. |
| Texas 811 | The contractor should file the locate ticket and give you the number. Private lines like sprinklers aren't marked, so ask how they'll be avoided. |
| Which rules apply | City of Conroe, Willis, Panorama Village, or the county; HOA review; SJRA on Lake Conroe shoreline; TRA on Lake Livingston. Ask who checks and who files. |
| Insurance certificates | General liability and workers' comp, or a plain statement that the company is a workers' comp non-subscriber. |
| Warranty terms | How long it lasts, when it starts, and what's excluded. Storms and soil movement are commonly excluded, so read that part. |
| Payment schedule | How much is due at signing, when the balance is due, and what triggers it. If you're financing, get the lender's terms in writing too. |
| Tear-out, haul-off, cleanup | Whether the old fence and its concrete footings leave with the crew, and who deals with spoil from the post holes. |
| Photos of similar work | Lake lots, wooded lots, acreage, and HOA streets all build differently. Ask for examples that match yours. |
Red flags worth walking away from
- Pressure to skip the HOA or the permit "to save time"
- No written quote, or a one-line price with no materials listed
- Cash only, or most of the money up front before materials arrive
- No answer when you ask about post depth or concrete
- No local phone number or address, especially right after a storm
Our pricing guide lists typical installed ranges, which helps you spot a bid that's missing something.
How our quotes answer the list
Estimates are free, and the quote comes itemized. Every post on our wood fences is set no less than 24 inches into the ground and gets 80 pounds of concrete. Loose sand or soggy spots get a bigger hole, and gates and corners get the most depth of all. A rot board comes standard unless you'd rather skip it. On a replacement, tear-out and haul-off are included unless you want to handle them yourself.
We request 811 locates on every job and check the city, county, HOA, and lake rules for your address before the quote is final. We carry general liability and workers' comp, with certificates on request, and you can read why that matters on licensed and insured. Our 18-month limited workmanship warranty starts the day the job is complete, and the full exclusions are on the warranty page. If you'd like to spread the cost out, financing through Hearth is available.
Questions
Quick answers
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three is plenty for most homeowners. Past that, it gets hard to compare them line by line.
Should the quote name the brand of materials?
For vinyl, composite, and ornamental metal, yes, since manufacturer warranties depend on the product. For wood, it should name the species and grade, such as cedar or pressure-treated pine.
What if the footage changes on install day?
The quote should say how changes are handled. On our jobs, if the footage or scope shifts, we stop and agree on it with you before the price moves.
Let's walk your fence line
Call or text us, or book a time online. We'll measure, talk through options, and send a written quote.