Fence installation: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering fence installation

Fence installation is judged by how straight the line stays after the first wind, so customers trust pros who confirm the boundary and set the posts properly. Win the job by checking the line with the customer and writing the post depth and the hardware into the quote.

What customers ask

  • Where exactly does the fence go, and who confirms the line?
  • How deep are the posts, and will the fence stand up in wind?
  • What material lasts longest in this climate?
  • Can you put a gate where I need it?
  • Will you dig up my sprinklers or underground lines?
  • How long will the fence last, and what does the warranty cover?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what the fence is for, how tall it needs to be, what the neighbors have, and whether the line is marked.
  • On site, check the property line with the survey or the stakes, look for the buried lines and walk the route with the customer.
  • Show the material samples and the height on a sketch, so the customer sees the look and the privacy level before ordering.
  • In the quote, list the post depth, the post size, the rail count, the hardware and the gate hardware separately.
  • Explain how the posts will be set and braced, since that is what keeps the fence straight over time.
  • Put the warranty terms in writing, with the materials and the workmanship covered, and what is outside the warranty.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of the posts being set, with the bracing and the line string visible, before the rails go on
  • Finished fence photos from the yard and the street, shot straight on and at an angle
  • Fence types you install, such as privacy board, picket, chain link, vinyl and aluminum
  • Your service area and whether you also handle gates, fence repair and removal of old fencing

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a gate or latch adjustment visit after the first season, explained as normal care
  • Suggest a stain or sealer schedule for wood fences, with the product and timing explained
  • Mention a fence repair or a height upgrade as information when the customer's needs change

Licenses and permits

Whether fence work needs a contractor license varies by place and by job size, and tall fences, pool barriers and fences near a public way often need a permit. Confirm what applies where you work with your state or local licensing agency and local building department, and keep your insurance current.

Questions

What do I do when the customer wants the fence on a line they are not sure of?

Stop before setting any posts and ask the customer to confirm the line with a survey or the stakes. Put the decision and the line source in writing before the work starts.

Should I put a warranty on a fence?

Warranty your post setting and your workmanship, and state clearly that wind damage, fallen trees and the material's natural wear are outside the warranty. Keep the terms in writing with the quote.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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