From a boosted property value and a more secure backyard to eye-catching designs that complement your home, the right fence can make all the difference. But to ensure your new fence is of the highest quality, you need to work with the best fence company.
This guide looks at the five most important qualities when researching fence installers. We’ll also look at the most important fencing types for homeowners and a few of the most frequently asked questions about this vital home improvement project.
Table of Contents
- 5 Qualities to Look for in the Best Fence Company
- The Most Popular Homeowner Fencing
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Best Fence Company In & Around St. Louis
5 Qualities to Look for in the Best Fence Company
It’s critical to do your due diligence when finding the best fence company to install your new fence. And that means doing your research.
It’s easy to settle for the very first fence installer you find. But if you don’t put in the effort to make sure they’re a quality business, you may find yourself with a low-quality eyesore of a fence that needs to be replaced.
That’s why you should continually evaluate your chosen fence company using the following five considerations:
- Years in Business
- Customer Reviews
- Workmanship Guarantees
- Types of Fencing
- Free Onsite Estimates
1. Years in Business
This one’s easy—how long have the fence installers you’re looking at been doing what they’re doing?
Five years? Ten years? A few months?
While years in business aren’t necessarily a direct indicator of skill and expertise, a more extended history typically means you’re working with seasoned professionals who know their stuff. Over the years, they’ve figured out what works best. And they know what installation techniques, materials, and brands offer more quality than the others.
If you want the best results, look for fence companies that have been in business for 15 years or more.
2. Customer Reviews
It’s easy to take a fence company’s word that they’re the best in the industry. After all, why wouldn’t they say they’re better than the rest?
But the actual test of a fence contractor’s quality is what their customers say about them.
What kinds of reviews can you find from past customers? Are they overwhelmingly positive? Or shockingly negative?
It’s essential to check various sources here, not just their website.
Start by looking at Facebook, Google, and the Better Business Bureau.
Look for star ratings above 4.7 and an A+ BBB rating.
3. Workmanship Guarantees
The best fence company will be confident in their work and their materials. That’s why they should gladly stand by it with warranties and satisfaction guarantees.
The best manufacturers tend to provide material warranties for their fences. Some of these warranties are for 20+ years. Others are for life.
Be sure you ask about what kind of manufacturer warranty your chosen company offers.
You’ll also want to be on the lookout for satisfaction guarantees. This is a standout quality for the best companies.
It would help if you tried to find installers that stand by their quality and want to leave each customer fully satisfied.
4. Types of Fencing
Skills, guarantees, and customer reviews only go so far. It would help if you also were sure you’re working with a fence contractor that offers the right types of fencing. That’s why you need to be on the lookout for the following fence types.
- Variety of Options – From vinyl and simulated stone to aluminum and steel, be sure you’re working with a fence company that offers a wide variety of fencing types, styles, and colors.
- American-Made – Internationally produced fences aren’t held to the same manufacturing and safety standards as those made in America. So watch for American-made fence vendors for the best results.
- Maintenance-Free – Most aluminum, steel, and vinyl fence company offers maintenance-free fence types. That means none of the time-consuming upkeep that comes with other fence types like wood or chain link.
5. Free Onsite Estimates
Last but not least, the best fence company will offer free, no-obligation onsite estimates.
There are a lot of factors that go into fence installation pricing:
- Material types
- Aesthetic options
- Color
- Installation timeframe
But other factors just can’t be adequately accounted for from a distance, landscape, and precise measurements, for instance.
And if these two aren’t assessed by a professional, it can lead to hidden costs and a pricier installation than the homeowner anticipated.
That’s why you should always look for free onsite estimates. It’s the only way to get the most precise picture of what you’ll have to pay when all’s said and done.
The Most Popular Homeowner Fencing
The best fence company will also cater to the needs of the homeowner. And most homeowners will need one of the following fence types:
Privacy Fences
A privacy fence is exactlywhat it sounds like—a fence meant to give your backyard space a bit more privacy.
Their taller profile and more rigid construction also add an extra level of security to your home.
The best material for privacy fences is vinyl. This type of fencing allows for minimal (or zero) gaps between slats, unlike aluminum, steel, or wood.
Plus, vinyl comes in lots of different styles and colors.
The best fencing company will only use high-quality materials (we recommend CertainTeed, specifically BuffTech vinyl fencing).
Dog Fences
When it comes to keeping canine escape artists in your backyard, safety should be your number one concern.
Dog fences made from high-quality vinyl should withstand escape attempts from most dog sizes.
But if your puppy is dedicated (or especially large), you may want to look at a dog fence that can handle even the hardest of blows.
Beyond safety, though, you should also consider visibility (do you want your pup to see beyond your backyard?) and style (avoid chain link and shoddy wood fencing if you can).
We believe for the St. Louis 4-season climate, an aluminum fence by Elite Fence Products is an excellent choice.
Pool Fences
There are a few different factors to consider when installing a new pool fence for your backyard.
What types of aesthetics are you looking for? Do you prefer the classic colors and steadfast durability of aluminum and steel? Or are you looking for complementary styles like simulated stone or wood?
You’ll also want to consider your privacy needs (in which case aluminum or steel won’t be suitable).
And don’t forget pool fence safety considerations.
The best fence contractor will offer a wide range of styles and varieties to choose from so you can give your backyard the same feeling you’re looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about finding the best fence company (and the best fence).
How Do I Choose a Good Fence Company?
With all the benefits a new fence adds to your home, plenty of fence installers and contractors are out there to choose from. However, not all offer the same quality and value.
To find the best fence company near you, be sure to look for the following qualities:
- Plenty of experience (at least 10+ years in business)
- Glowing customer reviews (check Facebook, Google, Better Business Bureau, etc.)
- Quality guarantee (look for both manufacturer and workmanship guarantees)
- Offer different fencing types (vinyl, aluminum, steel, as well as American made)
- Free onsite estimates (means no hidden costs)
What Type of Fence Is Most Expensive?
According to HomeAdvisor, wrought iron fencing is typically the most expensive. Material costs are usually around $30 per foot with $10 per foot in installation costs.
After that is aluminum and steel fences, these durable types usually run homeowners about $26 per foot in material costs and around $10+ in labor costs.
After that is vinyl fencing at $17 for materials and $7 for labor per foot—tied with wood in total costs at $12 for materials and $12 for labor.
However, it’s important to remember that maintenance-free types (vinyl, steel, aluminum) last significantly longer than cheaper options like wood and require far less maintenance.
What Fence Material Lasts the Longest?
Wrought iron fences last the longest out of all fencing materials. A well-built and adequately installed wrought iron fence can easily last a lifetime with the proper care and upkeep. For those less cared for, you can expect 60+ years of integrity.
Aluminum and steel fences won’t last quite as long—usually around 30 to 40 years and up to 50. Vinyl fences come in at about 20 to 30 years.
The most common fence type, wood, actually has the shortest lifespan of 15 to 20 years. That being said, wood requires significantly more upkeep than nearly any other fence type. Homeowners need to clean and repaint or stain every three years for the most extended lifespan. That’s not necessary for other material types.
The Best Fence Company In & Around St. Louis
A new fence can give your home a burst of personality, complement the architecture, and even boost the property value.
But to get all these benefits (and more), you need to work with the right fence installers and vendors. That’s why it’s essential to look for the five qualities in this guide.
And if you’re looking for the best fence company in and around St. Louis that has all five of these qualities, look no further than Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions.
At Maintenance-Free, we proudly provide the highest quality materials, the absolute best expert installation technicians, competitive value, and superior customer service. It’s no wonder why we’ve earned some of the best customer reviews in the area over our 25 years of experience.
And right now, you can get a free estimate on your new aluminum, steel, or vinyl fencing. Just get in touch today.
Free Onsite Estimate
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