Fences come in all shapes and sizes, and materials, but not all fences or fence companies are equal. Fencemaster of Houston sets itself apart from the competition by doing all little things rights, guaranteeing its customers a great product and experience from start to finish!
If you’re a property owner, chances are at some point in your life you’ve either built or purchased a fence. Whether it’s your first time buying a fence, or you’re replacing an old one, here are some helpful questions to ask your sales rep.
- How long has the company been in business?
Fencemaster of Houston has been in business since 1979. Since then, Ruben Flores Sr has built Fencemaster into what it is today, the premier fence company in Houston! He has always put customer satisfaction as a priority throughout the years, and knows the quality of our product speaks for itself.
- Does your company have current liability and workman’s compensation insurance coverage?
Fencemaster of Houston not only carries general liability insurance and workman’s compensation, but also carries higher coverage to cover commercial projects and contracts. So you can rest assure, we have you properly covered! We are also bondable.
- Are you a member of the BBB? What is your BBB Rating?
Since day one, Fencemaster of Houston has set our standards above the competition. Our A+ BBB rating reflects the type of work we do and our customer commitment. We also have an excellent rating with Google Plus, Angie’s List, City Search, Yelp, and many more websites!
- Have you done any work in our neighborhood where I can see examples?
Odds are Fencemaster of Houston has done work near you, so feel free to request information on nearby projects completed by Fencemaster from your sales representative. We proudly serve the entire greater Houston area. Check out our testimonials to see what other customers are saying about us.
- Will you have the utility company identify lines?
Fencemaster of Houston always calls 811 and confirms your utility lines are marked before starting a project. Calling 811 is free of charge and is a must if you are digging anything in your yard below one foot deep. Feel free to contact our office to answer any question you have or if you are doing a project yourself.
- What happens if you hit my water/power/cable line?
This is an extremely important question! Why would your water, sprinkler, power, cable, or other line get hit or damaged if 811 is called? Well, those lines are not marked. Some companies offer an insurance at an additional charge, others charge you for a repair, but Fencemaster always lets the customer know if something was damaged, and will fix the line at no charge if we can do it ourselves. You should always have repairs or installations of new lines sketched and turn that into your sales representative to have on your file to avoid damages to those lines. Residential fences often require numerous new holes to be dug, so this is definitely something to keep in mind.
- When do I have to pay? Is a deposit required?
A 50% deposit is requested when signing the contract to start our project. We request those funds for a show of good faith and to cover material costs. We ask for the balance upon completion. Commercial fencing and larger community projects are often broken up into draws.
- Can you provide me with references?
Absolutely! Fencemaster of Houston has been in business for over 30 years, and we are confident of providing sufficient referrals to new potential clients. Please contact us to have one of our experienced sales representatives give you a free quote today!
- Do you use subcontractors and will they be used on my job?
Very important question! Fencemaster has over eight in house crews, paid by the hour, not by the project. We know our quality separates us from the competition, so you can be confident, the project will be completed to your 100% satisfaction. We fabricate all our wrought iron and aluminum fencing in house, so feel free to stop by our office to see our inventory and process.
- How long is your quote valid for?
Quotes are valid for 30 days for residential projects. If you decide to go with a project, long past that date, just call your sales representative to request a recent price. We may even be able to give you a better price!
- How much time will the project take from start to finish?
Wood fencing in a typical backyard with cedar fencing usually takes three days. When considering wrought iron fencing, gates, or automatic gate operators, timing varies on fabrication and installation lead times.
- How deep will the posts be set and do you plan to use concrete for the posts?
Posts are set at least two feet into the ground, and often more depending on the specifications of your fence. We use premium redi-mix to assure a solid concrete barrier around each and every post we install. When considering wrought iron gates and aluminum gates, the posts are set at least three feet into the ground.
- What happens to my old fence?
Depending on what type of fence you have, Fencemaster of Houston always tries to recycle the remaining materials hauled off from your property. Wrought iron fencing is recycled into new steel, while old wood fencing is sometimes grind into wood chips, used as various applications.
And if you go with an aluminum fence or aluminum gate, chances are you won’t need to recycle your fence for a few decades!
- Why do I need a baseboard? What are the benefits?
In addition to adding height, and significant curb appeal, baseboards add quality and value to your fence. Wood fences with treated fence materials last longer and are easier to repair, as the pickets are kept from touching the floor.
- Can you give me tips on how to maintain my new fence?
Certainly! Check out our blog for helpful tips and references, and please feel free to call our office for any particular questions concerning your fence. Maintaining your fence not only keeps it looking new, it extends its life. Something as easy as touching up rust spots every year, can extend the life of your iron fence by decades!
- Does your fence come with a warranty?
Yes, one year on fence materials and labor. Access control products are given 90 days, but are often at least one year on parts from the manufacturer. We back every fence we build with our name and reputation, so you can bet we stand behind our product!
- What materials do you use? Nails, screws what type of wood?
Fencemaster of Houston only uses premium fence materials for all of its products. Whether we build you a wrought iron gate or a wood fence, we can count on us using only the best new materials. We find higher quality materials are easier to work with, present an overall better value, and require less maintenance. Every type of fence requires different types of materials; please feel free to ask one of our sales representatives for details on the materials and specifications used for the type of residential fence you are interested in.
- Who is responsible for pulling the required permits?
Usually the fence company handles submitting and executing the permit for residential fence projects. Fencemaster of Houston has extensive experience on what is required and can submit exact specification requirements for your fence or custom gate.
At Fencemaster, our number one priority is customer satisfaction. Our experienced sales reps are happy to visit your home or business, and provide you with a free quote while addressing any questions or concerns you may have.
So when you decide you want a fence, consider these initial questions: Who’s the best fence contractor you can choose? How much is it going to cost? What fence style do I like and how easy is it to install? How long is the installation process? What materials should I use? And what about my community – are there any deed restrictions within my community to be aware of? Of all of these, the most important is choosing the right contractor.
There no question that beautiful plants catch the eye and turn heads. But it’s important to keep in mind that new plants combined with old, tired fencing reduces the positive impact that landscaping alone might have. It actually draws attention to your old tired fence. It makes the fence look beat up. The last thing any homeowner wants is to draw attention AWAY from their new landscaping and TOWARD their old, ragged fence.