Fence contracting sits between landscaping and light construction. The visible work is carpentry or metalwork; the work that decides whether the fence is still straight in ten years is groundwork.
A fence contractor sets out the line, digs and sets posts, builds or hangs the fence, and hangs gates. The scope that matters most on any quote is what happens below ground: hole diameter, depth, and what goes in it.
Useful when deciding what to hand over and what to do yourself. Post setting and gate hanging are the two parts that most reward being done properly.
Posts, rails, infill and hardware are the four material groups on every fence regardless of style. Hardware is the one most often downgraded silently — hot-dip galvanised or stainless fasteners behave very differently from electroplated ones in contact with treated timber.
Utility locating before digging is the non-negotiable step, and in most places it is a free call placed a set number of working days ahead. Hitting a service line is the single most expensive mistake available on a fence job.
Setting out and digging is typically the first phase, then posts and cure, then rails, infill and gates. Weather affects the concrete stage more than any other.
Hardware is the maintenance item people forget. Hinges, latches, chain link ties and post caps are cheap to replace and expensive to ignore.
The posts. Every other component can be replaced from above ground; a failed post means excavation.
For most fences in most soils, yes — a concrete footing resists both lateral load and frost heave. Some free-draining soils and some post systems perform well with compacted gravel, which also lets water escape rather than pooling at the collar.
A free request that has utility owners mark buried services on the ground before digging. It is placed a set number of working days ahead and is required in most jurisdictions.
Call Ironbrook Fence Co on (512) 555-0134, or send the details through the form.