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Installing a fence is hard work. And while it might seem like simply digging holes and pouring concrete, there is actually quite a bit of precision and technique required to make the job happen—especially on sloped and uneven ground. For this reason, even some of the most experienced DIYers may choose to hire out this project to a fencing company.
However, choosing the best fencing company isn’t always quite as straightforward as a line of perfectly placed fence posts. This guide will help, as it will highlight some of the most important considerations to keep in mind while choosing a local fence company.
- BEST OVERALL: Lowe’s
- RUNNER-UP: Superior Fence & Rail
- MOST FLEXIBLE OPTIONS: ActiveYards
- BEST AGGREGATOR: Angi
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Fence Company for You
A lot goes into choosing the best fencing and the company to install it. While most homeowners have an idea of what goes into the job, the finer points about professional fence installations might not be so obvious. The following includes some of the most important considerations to keep in mind before searching for “best fence companies near me.”
Service Area and Estimate Scheduling
The first step in finding the best fence company is to look for pros who work in the area. This could include large and medium-size chains, deck and fence companies, smaller fencing contractors, or even licensed handyman companies. Searching for “best fence company near me” will quickly reveal some choices, and it’s certainly a good start.
Also, homeowners will want to consider the convenience of scheduling an estimate. Companies that provide online scheduling allow the homeowner to choose the day and time that work best for them, rather than trying to fit an estimate into a busy schedule. Some companies may only schedule estimates via phone or in-store requests, however.
One word of caution: In some regions of the country, winter puts the kibosh on fence installations, making the warmer months very busy for contractors. It’s a good idea to schedule estimates months ahead of time (winter is a good time for scheduling).
Fence Material, Type, and Design Options
The best fences are available in a variety of materials, and most local fence companies will be familiar with them. They include metal, chain link, wood, composite materials, and vinyl, among other less-common types. Some fencing companies may specialize in a specific material, but most will provide quotes for any material.
It’s also worth noting that there are different types of fences. For example, privacy fences are typically tall, solid panels that the average person cannot see over. Pool fences are designed to meet codes in local areas to keep children away from unattended pools. Picket fences may envelop a front yard or provide a cozy barrier for canine companions.
Finally, folks looking for specific design elements may have to shop around to find contractors that offer them. Custom woodwork, metalwork, or sculpture may need an artist’s touch.
Contractor Licensing and Insurance
Some states require contractors to carry specific licenses to perform work on residential buildings. While fence building is a specialization, a general contractor’s license typically meets these local requirements. Some contractors might carry licenses even when the state does not require them. Customers can perform some research on the topic and ask prospective contractors to see their licenses.
Beyond licenses, homeowners will want to be sure to ask for proof of insurance. Even handyman businesses need to carry general liability insurance to protect the homeowner in case they make a mistake that results in property damage or personal injury. Homeowners won’t want to let an uninsured contractor on the property.
Financing
For most folks, figuring out how to pay for the fence installation is a factor. If they don’t have the cash in a savings account, they have to find financing. While taking out one of the best home equity loans or borrowing from one of the best HELOC lenders might be logical for some, it’s not a solution for everyone. It may be worth looking for a company that offers financing for those folks.
Most home improvement stores have financing options, making them the best place to buy fencing. It may be a credit card offer with zero-percent interest over a certain amount of time, or it might be setting up the homeowner with a project loan through a third-party lender. Some smaller fence companies may also offer financing for projects over a certain value. If the homeowner doesn’t have the funds on hand to pay for the project outright, these may be viable solutions.
Guarantees
Most fencing companies and contractors offer guarantees on their projects. In general, these guarantees cover the project for up to 1 year. Rather than being a money-back guarantee, they’re typically a customer satisfaction promise or labor warranty, meaning the company will send a contractor back to the property if there’s any issue with the quality.
It’s important to note that manufacturer guarantees or warranties are also available on fencing products, but they often require proof that a professional fence company installed their products. A general contractor or handyman might not fit the bill. In this case, it might be better to go with a specialized contractor or home improvement store.
Customer Support
Even though a fence isn’t an absolutely necessary part of a home like a roof and windows, customer support is still important. Things can go wrong with a fence as well, and getting a hold of someone should be a factor in choosing a contractor.
The best fence company will provide both phone and email customer support and service in most cases. Homeowners can send emails at their leisure or call with a more pressing issue. This can take the stress out of booking an emergency repair and also provide a helpful back-and-forth conversation between the company and the customer. In other cases, phone-only customer support can feel intimidating for some customers, but it may be their only option.
Our Top Picks
The following includes some of the best fence companies on the market. Homeowners will want to be sure to keep the top considerations listed above in mind when comparing these options before searching the internet for “best fence installers near me.”
Best Overall
Lowe’s
Why It Made the Cut:
Lowe’s offers nationwide coverage, convenient estimate scheduling, a wide variety of fence types, and a broad network of professionals to handle almost any fence installation.
When it comes to a top fencing installation company, homeowners will want to consider Lowe’s. This home improvement store chain features more than 1,700 locations across the country, meaning there’s almost certainly a store nearby. Beyond nationwide coverage, Lowe’s also offers convenient online estimate scheduling.
Lowe’s offers a variety of the best fence materials and styles, including vinyl metal, chain link, electric, wood, composite, and temporary. The transparent pricing guide listed online can give homeowners insight into the cost based on their region, helping them determine the budget and fence type ahead of time. While Lowe’s does not offer fence removal for old fences, it does provide a 1-year labor warranty, and customer support is readily available with a phone call.
Specs
- Service area: Nationwide
- Estimate scheduling: Online
- Fence material options: Vinyl, metal, chain link, electric, wood, composite, temporary
- Guarantee: 1-year labor warranty
- Customer support: Phone
Pros
- Wide selection of fencing materials and panel designs
- Over 1,700 locations nationwide
- Transparent pricing guide readily available online
Cons
- Fence removal not offered
Runner-Up
Superior Fence u0026 Rail
Why It Made the Cut:
Superior Fence & Rail is up front about its licensing and insurance information and provides installers with comprehensive in-house training to ensure everything goes by the book.
With 31 locations in 16 states, Superior Fence & Rail may be an option worth considering. This fence installation company specializes in transparency, providing customers with the licensing and insurance information they need to feel confident about the hiring. And with online scheduling and email customer support, customers can handle most of the job from their smartphones.
The Superior fence company provides its employees with comprehensive training, ensuring the crew that shows up can handle the job. The company warranties its work for up to 3 years as well. Although its metal fencing options are minimal, it does offer vinyl, aluminum, chain link, wood, Trex, and temporary fencing options.
Specs
- Service area: 16 states
- Estimate scheduling: Online
- Fence material options: Vinyl, aluminum, chain link, wood, Trex, temporary
- Guarantee: 3-year labor warranty
- Customer support: Email
Pros
- Transparent licensing and insurance information readily available online
- Installers undergo comprehensive in-house training
- Relatively long 3-year labor warranty
Cons
- Limited metal fence options
Most Flexible Options
ActiveYards
Why It Made the Cut:
ActiveYards offers kits for DIYers—or customers can opt to hire one of ActiveYard’s licensed contractors.
ActiveYards fencing might be the best bet when it comes to flexibility and options. This fencing company offers kits for folks who want to DIY their fence job or for those who’d prefer to hire their own contractor. Those who would prefer to do neither can hire one of ActiveYard’s licensed fence installation contractors.
ActiveYards is flexible with delivery as well, allowing customers to choose between having the products delivered to their home or to their contractor’s shop. The service area is nationwide, but fencing options are limited to vinyl or aluminum. The products feature a lifetime warranty, and licensed installers will have their own warranty terms and financing options. Styles and availability will vary by contractor, but customer support is available by phone or email, allowing for even more flexibility.
Specs
- Service area: Nationwide
- Estimate scheduling: Varies by installer
- Fence material options: Vinyl, metal
- Guarantee: Lifetime product warranty; installation warranty varies by installer
- Customer support: Phone, email
Pros
- DIY or professional installation options
- Convenient delivery scheduling and location options
Cons
- Fencing materials limited to vinyl or aluminum
- Financing availability and options vary by installer
Best Aggregator
Angi
Why It Made the Cut:
Angi allows homeowners to peruse an aggregate of fencing contractors, making it easy to find qualified, licensed fence installers almost anywhere.
Folks searching for “best fence builders near me” and looking to compare several fence installation contractors will want to head over to Angi. The aggregator of contracting services allows homeowners to shop for multiple quotes and contractors all from one site. Angi offers nationwide coverage, as well as online estimate scheduling, allowing homeowners almost anywhere to shop for qualified and licensed contractors for their fence project. Materials, guarantees, and financing vary by the installer.
Angi customers can filter their search results by project and choose from the best local fence companies. They can obtain quotes or bids on their projects quickly (though the site does require a name, phone number, and email address, which results in persistent emails). Also, the website is as streamlined and user-friendly as they come. Angi’s site can also serve as a resource for information organized by project type, allowing homeowners to become educated consumers.
Specs
- Service area: Nationwide
- Estimate scheduling: Online
- Fence material options: Varies by installer
- Guarantee: Varies by installer
- Customer support: Phone, email
Pros
- Customers can filter by project and choose from local professionals
- Customers can obtain quotes or bids within minutes
- Website is streamlined and user-friendly
- Comprehensive resource center organized by project type
Cons
- Name, phone number, and email are required to browse local services
- Persistent follow-up emails
Our Verdict
Those looking for the best fence installation company will want to consider Lowe’s for its nationwide coverage, wide variety of products, and transparency. For customers in the service area, Superior Fence & Rail is another solid choice.
How We Chose the Best Fence Companies
Choosing and compiling a list of the best fence companies wasn’t a small task. First, we had to consider all the essential features and attributes that a homeowner might look for in a fencing contractor. We considered materials and styles, financing, and customer support, among other factors.
Next, we performed extensive research to find companies aligned with our considerations. We then compared how each company guaranteed its work, its coverage, and the convenience of scheduling. This allowed us to narrow down our list to just a few fence installation companies. With our final list narrowed down, we assigned awards to each company based on its strengths. The result of that work is this list of the best fence companies.
Before You Hire the Best Fence Company for You
There are a few questions to ask each contractor before hiring a fence company. These questions will help ensure that the project goes as smoothly and with as few surprises as possible.
- Do you have insurance?
- Do you have a license?
- Can you submit a written quote?
- What are your payment terms?
- Do I need permits? Will you get them?
- How long will the project take?
- When can you start?
- Where will you buy materials from?
With these questions asked, homeowners will have a bit of insight into how each contractor operates, allowing them to choose the best fencing installation company for their project.
Cost of Hiring the Best Fence Company for You
Fence installation cost will vary based on several factors. Those factors include considerations like the size of the yard, the slope, the materials and design chosen, and the timeline in which the homeowner needs the project completed. The region in which the property lies also plays a role, as some areas of the country are more expensive to build in than others. An internet search of “best fencing companies near me” may reveal prices in the local area.
In general, the average cost of a fence is $3,000 but ranges between $1,700 and $4,400. Higher-end materials like metal will cost more, while entry-level materials such as pressure-treated panels can keep the job’s overall cost to a minimum. Here are some of the most popular types of fencing and their costs.
- The best privacy fences cost an average of $2,700.
- Chain link fences cost an average of $2,100.
- The best vinyl fences cost an average of $3,800.
- Pool fences cost an average of $6,500.
- Wood fences cost an average of $3,100.
- Wrought-iron fences cost an average of $3,100.
- Split-rail fences cost between $1,100 and $6,500.
- Invisible fences cost an average of $1,300.
- Aluminum fences cost an average of $4,100.
The Advantages of Using the Best Fence Company for You
Digging and installing fence posts can be laborious work. Even with specialized equipment, it takes muscle and precise measurements. Rather than tackling this much work themselves, homeowners can hire out the job to a contractor, saving time and energy for another project.
Fence installation professionals know how to make a fence work on tough landscapes. They have the equipment and knowledge to deal with slopes, rocks, roots, and other obstructions, to create a straight and sturdy fence.
Many fence manufacturers require that homeowners use licensed installers; otherwise, the manufacturer may not honor the warranty. In many cases, the best fence companies can even act as the homeowner’s advocate if there is an issue with the materials.
- Hiring a fencing contractor removes the burden and hard work from the homeowner’s shoulders.
- Fence installation pros have the knowledge, ability, and equipment to work around rocks, roots, and other obstructions.
- Some fence manufacturers may only warranty products if a licensed contractor installed them.
FAQs
That’s a lot of information on the best fencing companies, but there might still be a few lingering questions. The following includes some of the most frequently asked questions on fencing and choosing the right contractor.
Q. What type of fence is most durable?
The most durable fencing material is masonry. While these fences are more commonly considered walls, they can resist wear and decay for up to 100 years.
Q. What is the longest-lasting fence material?
Wrought iron fences are the longest-lasting fences. They can last for centuries. In fact, there are fences in New Orleans that date back to the 1700s.
Q. What type of wood fence lasts the longest?
The longest-lasting wood fences are made from species like cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated pine. These fences, if properly maintained, can last up to 20 years.
Q. What questions should I ask a fence installer?
There are lots of questions to ask, but the most important are:
- What styles and materials do you offer?
- Do you have a license and insurance?
- Do you offer financing?
- What are your payment terms?
- Do you offer a guarantee?
Q. What should I not do when building a fence?
Among others, there are three important mistakes to avoid:
- Installing a fence beyond your property line.
- Not getting permits or checking local codes.
- Not calling a utility marking agency to clear the area for digging.
Q. What is the most cost-effective fencing?
Chain link is the most cost-effective option for fencing a yard, but it’s not a universally loved aesthetic. Other budget-friendly options include pressure-treated pine panels, posts and rails with hog wire, and fences made from pallets.