Questions to Ask a Fence Company in Baton Rouge

Hiring someone to put up a fence should not feel like a test. You do not need to know the difference between a line post and a terminal post. You just need a short list of questions, a pen, and the willingness to say “can you put that in writing?” Here is that list, in the order you will probably need it.

Before anyone comes out

A quick call sets the visit up right. Ask:

• “Do you come out and measure before you give me a price?” You want yes. A number over the phone for a yard nobody has seen is a guess.
• “Is there a charge for coming out?” Ask now, not after.
• “What should I have ready?” Usually a rough idea of footage, the material you are thinking about, and how many gates. Clear a path along the line if you can.
• “Do I need to be home?” If you want to walk the line together — and you should — say so.

While they are walking the line

This is the most useful half hour of the whole process. Walk with them. Point things out. Ask:

• “Where exactly will the fence run?” Have them show you the corners. If you are unsure where the line should go, say so now.
• “What about that tree, that slope, that ditch?” Anything along the line that could change the work should come up today, not on installation day.
• “Where would you put the gates?” Then tell them where you actually walk, push the mower, and take out the trash.
• “Will utility lines be marked before you dig?” A simple yes is what you are looking for.

About the quote

When the quote comes, it should be in writing and broken out. If it is one number at the bottom of a page, ask for it again like this:

1. 1Footage & layoutTotal linear feet, fence height, and where the line runs — drawn or described so you can check it.
2. 2Old-fence removal & haul-offTaking down and hauling away the existing fence, priced on its own line — or stated as not included.
3. 3Materials & postsFence material and style, post type and spacing, and how posts are set.
4. 4Gates & hardwareEach gate's width and type, plus hinges, latches, and any hardware upgrades.

Then ask:

• “How many feet did you measure?” Check it against your own rough number.
• “Is taking down the old fence included? Hauling it off?” Those are two different things.
• “What is not included?” Clearing brush, a stain, a hardware upgrade — better to hear it now.
• “How long is this price good for?” So you are not rushed into deciding.

If you are comparing two quotes, the fence cost guide explains why two honest bids for the same yard can come out different.

About the posts and the build

• “What are the posts made of, and how are they set?” Wood or metal, and in concrete, gravel, or soil.
• “How far apart are the posts?” Write the answer down; it is a good way to compare quotes.
• “How close to the ground will the bottom be?” Important if you have a dog.
• “Which side faces out?” On a wood fence, the finished side and the rail side look different.

About the gates

• “How wide is each gate?” Measure your mower or trailer first.
• “What hinges and latch come with it? Can it lock?”
• “What keeps a wide gate from sagging?” And what happens if it starts to drag?

About the schedule and the paperwork

• “When could you start, and how long will it take?”
• “When will my yard be secure again?” If there is a dog, this one matters.
• “Who pulls the permit?” Ask your installer who pulls the permit.
• “How does payment work?” Ask what is due when, and get it in the contract.
• “Is there a warranty, and what does it cover?” Get it in writing.

If the fence is being replaced after storm damage, insurance questions go to your own carrier, not the fence company. Whether a policy covers fence damage depends on the policy — ask your carrier.

On the last day

Before the crew packs up, walk the whole fence one more time and ask:

• “Can we open and close every gate together?” Each should swing freely and latch without lifting.
• “Where did the old fence and the dirt go?” Make sure the yard is the way you expected.
• “Who do I call if something needs adjusting?” Get a name and a number.

A note on how we fit in

Baton Rouge Fence Company does not build fences. We route your request to one local installer, and every question above is one to ask them directly. If you would like to start there, call (225) 351-2857 or send the form. The how it works page explains the rest.