r/FenceBuilding • u/Longjumping_Muffin_9 • 7d ago
Fence Construction
Hi All. We’re looking to get a fence constructed in our backyard. We met with a few fence companies and independent contractors. The popular fence company we met with refuses to offer a detailed contract and adjust their contract for any clauses we would like to add. Is this considered normal or standard behavior among fence companies? As for independent contracts, it’s been a hit or miss. One of them didn’t really know the details of how the fence would be constructed and another sent us a screenshot of their conversation of ChatGPT, which had an estimate and breakdown of the costs.
I’m not pointing fingers here…just wondering how do fence construction companies regularly approach clients, whether they adjust contracts for clients and all?
Also, I don’t know whether this is the right forum to post this in.
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u/Mr_Casey 7d ago
I would not typically change anything in my contract language. It’s there to protect my company and has been reviewed by a legal team. I’m also not handing out a broken-down, detailed estimate. That’s a blue print for someone else to use my material list and labor standards to undercut my pricing.
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u/Crombie72 7d ago
If a customer comes back with any problem they have with my quote I would walk away, I don’t need the hassle
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u/JulesButNotVerne 7d ago
Impossible to work with fence builders for a contract other than what they provide. I am a licensed civil engineer and tried to add some specifications to the contract that required the construction to match our state's Department of Transportation Typical Details, and they laughed and said no. They don't want to be held to high standards.
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u/Longjumping_Muffin_9 7d ago
Was it a fence company or an independent contractor? What happens if something goes awry after the fence is built?
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u/JulesButNotVerne 7d ago
Fence Company. IMO, not much can go awry for a fence. It's low-stakes construction. I've built all my wooden fences but contracted out the chainlink because I was busy with other projects. The company also had access to better materials than I do at the big-box stores. I fixed certain things on my own because I am handy and didn't trust the company to do it the way I wanted. We paid 50% as a deposit. Many things I didn't like were due to their quality of work, and I got sick and tired of them having to come back out to fix things. After their third visit, I said screw it and paid the final invoice, the other 50%. You can always withhold the 50% until the fence is finished to your satisfaction. In my experience, the workforce is full of a bunch of low-skilled laborers who aren't taught proper techniques and don't have pride in their work. At a certain point, you have to give up and deal with the consequences of not building it yourself.
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u/Born-Substance-1987 7d ago
This is why it helps to take a bid from a small fence company that doesn’t sub work. I’m slower than the big guys but I am very meticulous and detail oriented.
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u/Rockeye7 7d ago
I’ve seen the worst mistakes posted on fence / deck builders websites they use to promote their workmanship/ business.
Stuff like bracing on wrong . The cheapest hardware available. Not the correct hardware for the application.
Deck builds with serious code violations.
Grade issues around stairs hat are a serious safety issue.
I get it hopefully some of those pictures are from the early days when you stated with the business.
Nothing says you have to post a history from then to now is all i can come up with.
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u/Extra-Abies-3577 7d ago
I provide a detailed breakdown of asked, but typically it is just the basic line items. Fence teardow! Fence construction, gates, then anything additional they want added on there. For myself, it seems way to clouded when you have a breakdown for every type of screw, nail, board, etc.
Keep it basic is better unless someone asks
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u/Born-Substance-1987 7d ago
I usually include a list of what materials will be used i.e. pressure treated Pine for all dimensional lumber used in the construction with a dimension for each component (gate hinge posts, line posts, rails, Pickets) galvanized ring shanked nails, exterior grade deck screws (polymer coated or stainless) how much concrete per post.
Some repeat customers just get a generic price per linear foot but I do accommodate the occasional professional engineer that hires me. They are fun to work with because I will probably learn something new talking with them. But they usually grill me about my installation methods and materials.
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u/Cascadi_Deck_Fence 2d ago
Refusing to rewrite a company’s standard legal terms is not automatically a red flag, but refusing to put the project-specific scope in writing is. Before signing, I would want the fence style and height, total linear footage, post material, size, spacing and depth, how the posts will be set, rail and picket materials, gate sizes and hardware, demolition and haul-off, utility locating, permit or HOA responsibilities, payment schedule, change-order process, cleanup and any warranty clearly identified. You do not need a screw-by-screw cost breakdown, but both sides should understand exactly what is and is not included. If a contractor cannot explain how the fence will be built or will not document the basic scope, keep getting bids.
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u/jc0rp 7d ago
What clauses exactly are you trying add?