FAQs About Fencing
To help you relax, review the following frequently asked questions and their responses.
SERVICES WE OFFER
Residential fence installation
- Cedar, Treated Pine, Bull Panel, Vinyl, and Composite
- Set in concrete in the ground or bracketed to concrete walls/slabs
Fabrication & installation of steel swing gate frames
- Single or double gate frames, with one of our standard fence designs attached
Installation of new fencing on existing steel posts
- Requires on-site verification of reliability
- No warranty in the event of excessive post shifting
Old fence removal
- Old posts cut off at based and buried (standard option)
- Old posts removed fully, including concrete (expensive option)
- Chain link removal with small trees growing along line costs more
Minor fence line clearing
- Tree limbs, bushes, trees less than 2” in diameter
Fence and/or gate repair
- Relocation of existing fences
- Chain link, game, or ranch fencing
- Deck installation or repair
SERVICES WE DO NOT OFFER
- Concrete walls, fences, or curbing
- Fabrication & installation of steel slide gates
- Deck installation or repair
- Tree removal or stump grinding
- Sprinkler relocation
- Landscaping
- Painting
Going on 30 years!
Our service is fairly specific so we can keep up with demand and guarantee a good experience for our clients.
Please see Service Area map below. Major roadways act as our service area boundaries.
Map
With material prices in a constant state of change, we can't guarantee our pricing for more than 14 days. You can lock in the price per foot on an estimate by putting down a 50% deposit to get in line for installation; there's usually plenty of time to finalize your quote prior to your start date, and deposits are fully refundable!
Yes, we have to make a certain amount on every project to justify the associated costs on our end; that usually translates to a higher price per foot on smaller projects. Our rates are calculated automatically based on footage, design, gates, and upgrades to ensure a fair price for everyone.
Absolutely! We'd be happy to make any adjustments you'd like prior to your installation start date. Some options require additional cost or fabrication time, so it's always good to have your design and layout plan finalized a couple weeks prior to installation.
Every fence design has a different price per foot, and there are thousands of design possibilities out there. So, to avoid creating thousands of gate items in our system, we charge the price per foot for overall footage (including the footage that's part of each gate) and then charge separately for adding a gate frame and hardware. Here's how the math works out:
(Fence Footage Price + Gate Footage Price) = Overall Footage Price
SO
Overall Footage Price + Gate Frame Price = Total Price
- We use a combination of both! Long screws are always necessary and included for attaching rails or other framework to fence posts, but stainless steel ring shank nails are the best option for attaching individual pickets to the rails/framework of a fence.
- Companies who tout "Screws Only" typically aren't using the right type of screws to begin with (exterior coated screws used on Cedar pickets will lead to black streaks down a fence within months), and they tend to assume other companies don't use screws to attach rails and framework to the post.
- We're confident our use of screws AND stainless steel ring shank nails is the most durable and aesthetically pleasing approach in the fencing industry.
Different gap sizes between your horizontal boards can make a big difference in appearence. When viewing the images below, keep in mind that your lumber will expand and contract with changing weather conditions, so the gaps may end up larger than they are on a new fence.
FULL PRIVACY - Boards installed with no gaps, shrink to very small gaps
1/4" GAPS - Boards installed 1/4" apart, shrink to roughly 3/8" apart
1/2" GAPS - Boards installed 1/2" apart, shrink to roughly 5/8" apart
3/4" GAPS - Boards installed 3/4" apart, shrink to roughly 7/8" apart
1" GAPS - Boards installed 1" apart, shrink to roughly 1 1/8" apart
1 1/2" GAPS - Boards installed 1 1/2" apart, shrink to roughly 1 3/8" apart
Environmental factors (like direct sunlight and moisture exposure) contribute to a wide-range of expectations, but the following can be expected as a general guide:
Wood Fences (Horizontal, Vertical, Bull Panel)
- Basic Build: 10+ years
- Recommended Build: 20+ years, or more with regular stain/sealer application
- Trex Seclusions/Horizons: 25+ years, with 25 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
- Welded Panels: Depends on manufacturer (15-30 years)
- Riveted Panels: Depends on manufacturer (15-30 years)
ROUND POSTS
2 3/8" Fence Posts:
SCH 20 = 0.095" wall thickness = 13 gauge
2 3/8" Gate Posts & Optional Upgrade for Fence Posts:
SCH 40 = 0.154" wall thickness = 8 gauge
SQUARE POSTS
- 2" Galvanized Fence Posts:
14 gauge = 0.078" wall thickness
- 2" Galvanized Gate Posts:
11 gauge = 0.125" wall thickness
- 2" Black Coated Steel Posts (used for fence and gate posts):
16 gauge = 0.063" wall thickness
- 3" Galvanized Fence Posts, Black Coated Fence and Gate Posts:
14 gauge = 0.078" wall thickness
- 3" Galvanized Gate Posts:
11 gauge = 0.125" wall thickness
- 4" Large Gate Posts (Mild Steel Powder Coated):
3 gauge = 0.25" wall thickness
Depending on the type of estimate you receive, there are different options for moving forward:
QUICK QUOTE
Option #1: Pay a deposit to reserve your spot in line for installation and to lock in your price per foot then meet with us on-site to verify details and finalize your total, with any changes going on your final balance.
Option #2: Meet with us on-site to verify details and finalize your total, then pay a deposit to reserve your spot in line for installation. This option is not available for projects outside our normal service area.
Because we typically have a several week installation wait time after deposit payment, most clients choose option #1 to get the ball rolling and to lock in the current price per foot for their chosen design. Deposits are fully refundable if plans change.
BID APPOINTMENT
- If you elected to meet with us on-site instead of going the Quick Quote route, simply click the "Accept" button on your estimate or send us email approval and we'll send over a deposit invoice so we can get you going! Since we already met on-site, there is no need for an additional finalization appointment.
We'll reach out shortly after deposit payment with additional information that'll help you prepare for your installation, including a tentative start date. You'll usually receive all of our pre-installation documentation within 1 week of deposit payment.
Absolutely! Even if you start your project by requesting a Quick Quote, we'll meet with you on-site prior to installation to finalize all the details we need to confirm your estimate and to make sure your project goes smoothly.
Our average wait time is anywhere from 2-8 weeks after deposit payment, depending on the season and the fence design chosen. No matter how long the wait is, we'll keep you in the loop the entire time with automatic schedule updates!
- Having your property lines surveyed prior to installation is always a good way to make sure we're installing your new fence along the right lines, but it's not absolutely necessary.
- We'll take care of public utility line marking, but you'll want to provide details for the location of any private utility lines (propane, septic, irrigation, etc).
- See our terms for details on underground lines.
- We don't. One way or another, any company who promises firm installation dates does so at the expense of other clients; shortcuts and rescheduling are inevitable for the clients before or after a project with firm deadlines.
- We go about things differently, and it pays off for every client: We work through projects in the order of deposits received, and we work on every project until it's done right. This means that sometimes we exceed our expected project duration, and we're forced to push our next project back. We believe this is preferable to rushing to meet deadlines, and our clients agree. Read our reviews and you'll notice many comments about long waits and reschedules that are worth it in the end.
- If you're looking for a company that'll guarantee installation on or by a certain date, we're probably not the company for you. If you're looking for a company that's clear and communicative about their process and doesn't make promises they can't keep, look no further than TNS Fence
We'll send a calendar invite via email that'll show your tentative start date and the expected duration of your project from start to finish. As we work through the projects before yours, we'll update this date range so it's more concrete the closer we get.
Absolutely.
Not unless we specifically request it. On most projects, we've gathered all the information we need prior to installation and we can get to work without impacting our clients' schedule, but in some cases we require input from our client before proceeding.
You'll have three individuals managing your project in different ways:
- ON-SITE PROJECT FOREMAN
Your installation crew will be managed on-site by an experienced and skilled Foreman who will have all the details gathered at your bid appointment and/or finalization appointment, along with all the additional information we gather prior to installation. The Foreman will work directly with your Project Manager and you to find solutions to any issues that arise during installation.
- QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER
We employ a Quality Control Manager who stops by projects on a regular basis to make sure our installation standards are being upheld.
- PROJECT MANAGER
A Project Manager, will be managing your project remotely by checking in with your Foreman and our Quality Control Manager regularly. He makes it a priority to stop by every project at least once.
The duration of a project depends on several factors:
FOOTAGE
- 0 - 40' Standard Design: 1-2 days
- 40 - 120' Standard Design: 2-3 days
- 120 - 250' Standard Design: 3-5 days
- 250' or more: Add about 1 day per 100'
COMPLEXITY OF DESIGN
DIGGING CONDITIONS
GATES (3 or more gates will add a full day)
WEATHER
Yes. Depending on the size of a project, all or part of your yard will be open for at least 1 day while post concrete sets.
You bet, we offer temporary mesh fencing. Whether you'd like the security of keeping a border around your yard at night or you need a safe place for your dogs to do their business at night, let us know and we'll take care of you!
We recycle as much as possible (steel posts, concrete, lumber) and take the rest to a local landfill.
We can remove all of the old conrete, but we don't typically recommend this option unless it's absolutely necessary. Labor and dump fees for full removal are much higher than the standard practice of cutting the posts below grade and burying the old concrete
Most companies will ask their clients to cover the cost of water line damage, but we like to make our projects as simple and hassle-free as possible for our clients, so, in most cases, we cover the cost of damaged water lines.
We'll contact the proper authorities and/or businesses to start the repair process, and, in most cases, our liability insurance will cover the cost. The one exception here is if the client's desired fence location runs too close to a utility line. We highly recommend choosing fence line locations that leave plenty of room between post holes and utillity lines.
Please let your project Foreman know right away, or reach out to your Project Manager. We want you to be comfortable with your fence project at all times, so please don't hesitate to communicate any concerns or questions!