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Fences & gates: questions to ask before you hire

Fences sit on property lines, so most problems are with neighbours and the city, not the boards.

For fences & gates

  1. Do I need a survey to find the property line? Who is responsible for getting it right?
  2. How tall can my fence be here, and is a permit needed?
  3. How deep do the posts go, and what are they set in?
  4. Cedar, vinyl or aluminum: how long will each last here, and what upkeep does it need?
  5. Will you call BC 1 Call to mark underground lines before digging?
  6. What happens to the old fence and the waste?

Ask every contractor

  1. Do you have a business licence that covers my city? Can I see it?
  2. Can you send me a WorkSafeBC clearance letter? It means I'm not on the hook if one of your crew is hurt on my property.
  3. Do you have liability insurance? Can I see the certificate?
  4. Can I get the quote in writing, broken down into materials and labour?
  5. How much is the deposit, and when are the other payments due? (Be wary of a big payment up front.)
  6. When can you start, and how long will the job take?
  7. Who will actually do the work: your own crew or subcontractors?
  8. Does the job need a permit, and who gets it?
  9. What warranty do you give, on materials and on your work? Can I have it in writing?
  10. Can I see photos of similar jobs you've done recently, or talk to a past customer?
  11. How do you leave the site at the end of each day, and when the job's done?