What to Look for When Hiring a Fence Contractor

Hiring a fence contractor is one of those decisions where the difference between a good choice and a bad choice really shows. A quality contractor gives you a fence that looks great on day one and holds up for 15-20 years. A bad contractor gives you a fence that looks fine for six months and then starts leaning, sagging, and falling apart.

Orlando has dozens of fence companies and even more independent contractors offering fence installation. Some are excellent. Some are terrible. Most are somewhere in between. Here's how to tell the difference before you hand over your money.

Check Licensing and Insurance — Actually Check

Florida requires contractors performing work over a certain dollar threshold to be licensed. For fence installation, this means having a valid Florida General Contractor license or appropriate specialty license.

More important than the license, though, is insurance. Your fence contractor should carry:

• General liability insurance: Protects you if the contractor damages your property, your neighbor's property, or causes an injury on your property during installation. Minimum $1 million coverage is standard.
• Workers' compensation insurance: Covers the crew if they're injured on your property. Without this, you could be liable for a worker's medical bills if they get hurt while building your fence.

Don't just take the contractor's word for it. Ask for a certificate of insurance and call the insurance company to verify it's current. Any legitimate contractor will have no problem providing this. If a contractor gets defensive or dodges the question, walk away.

In Orlando, we occasionally see unlicensed operators advertising fence installation on social media marketplace and neighborhood apps. They're usually cheaper, but the savings disappear fast when the fence fails or when you discover you have no recourse for warranty claims.

Get Multiple Written Estimates

Three estimates is the standard recommendation, and it's good advice. But the estimates need to be detailed enough to compare fairly. A quote that just says "$4,500 for fence installation" tells you almost nothing. A proper estimate should include:

• Total linear footage of fence being installed
• Material specifications: Type of wood (pressure-treated pine, cedar, etc.), grade, dimensions. For vinyl or aluminum: manufacturer, product line, and color.
• Fence height and style
• Post specifications: Size (4x4, 6x6), spacing, depth, and concrete per post
• Number and type of gates included
• Whether the price includes: old fence removal, permit filing, property line verification, post caps, stain/seal
• Timeline and payment schedule
• Warranty details

When comparing estimates, look at the details, not just the bottom line. A quote for $3,500 using #2 grade lumber with posts every 8 feet is a completely different product than a $5,000 quote using #1 grade lumber with posts every 6 feet — even if both say "6-foot wood privacy fence." For more on pricing, see our Orlando fence installation cost guide.

Ask About Their Installation Methods

This is where you separate the pros from the amateurs. Ask these specific questions and listen carefully to the answers:

How deep do you set posts?

The right answer for Orlando is 30-36 inches (minimum of 2 feet below grade). Posts need to go deep enough into Orlando's sandy soil to resist movement and ensure stability. Contractors who say "18 inches" or "about 2 feet" are cutting corners.

How much concrete per post?

Each post should be set in at least 2-3 bags (80 lb bags) of concrete. One bag per post — which we've seen from some cheaper operations — isn't enough to hold a 6-foot fence in Orlando's soil, especially when wind loads and storm surges come into play.

What's your post spacing?

For a wood fence, 6-8 feet between posts is standard. Anything wider than 8 feet creates panels that are too heavy for the rails and flex too much in wind. Some contractors space posts at 10 feet to save money on materials and labor — you'll feel the difference when the wind blows.

Do you use brackets or notched posts?

This applies to wood fences. Notched posts (where the rail sits in a pocket cut into the post) create a stronger connection than metal brackets. Brackets are faster and cheaper but can rust, loosen, and fail over time. For Orlando's climate, notched or routed posts are the better choice.

How do you handle slopes?

Orlando has its share of uneven terrain near lakes and retention ponds. A contractor who installs fences in the Orlando area should have a clear answer about stepped panels versus racked panels and when they use each approach. They should also understand the challenges of sandy soil and high water tables unique to Central Florida.

Look at Their Previous Work

Any contractor worth hiring should be able to show you examples of their completed projects. Ask for:

• Photos of recent installations — ideally in the Orlando area so you can see work in similar soil and climate conditions
• References from Orlando homeowners — and actually call them. Ask about the installation process, whether the crew was professional, whether the project stayed on timeline and budget, and how the fence has held up since installation.
• Drive-by addresses — Ask if you can drive by a few completed projects to see them in person. Photos can be misleading; seeing a fence in real life tells you much more about quality.

Check online reviews too — Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. But don't rely on star ratings alone. Read the actual reviews and look for patterns. One bad review happens to everyone; a pattern of complaints about the same issues (leaning posts, missed deadlines, poor communication) is a red flag.

Understand the Warranty

A warranty is only as good as the company backing it. Here's what to look for:

• Workmanship warranty: This covers the installation itself — post setting, panel attachment, gate installation. A minimum of 1-2 years is standard; quality companies offer 3-5 years or more.
• Material warranty: This comes from the material manufacturer, not the installer. Vinyl fencing often carries a lifetime limited warranty. Pressure-treated wood is warranted against rot and insects for varying periods (often 15-20 years for ground contact rated lumber). Aluminum typically carries a lifetime warranty against rust and structural failure.
• What's covered and what's not: Read the fine print. Most warranties exclude damage from storms, falling trees, vehicle impact, and acts of nature. Some workmanship warranties are voided if you don't maintain the fence (for wood fences, this means staining/sealing on schedule).

Ask the contractor directly: "If a post starts leaning in year two because it wasn't set deep enough, do you come fix it for free?" The answer should be an immediate yes. If there's hesitation or qualifiers, that tells you something.

Red Flags to Watch For

Over the years, we've heard from Orlando homeowners who had bad experiences with other contractors. The warning signs they missed, in hindsight:

• No written contract. Everything should be in writing — scope, price, timeline, materials, warranty. A handshake deal protects nobody.
• Large upfront deposit. A deposit of 25-33% is reasonable. Demanding 50% or more upfront — or full payment before work begins — is a major red flag. Legitimate contractors have credit with their suppliers and don't need your full payment to buy materials.
• Pressure to sign immediately. "This price is only good today" is a classic high-pressure sales tactic. A real estimate should be valid for at least 30 days.
• No physical business address. A contractor working out of a truck with no office, no yard, and no visible business presence is harder to hold accountable if something goes wrong.
• Unrealistically low price. If one bid is 40-50% lower than the others, something is being skipped — thinner posts, shallower depth, wider spacing, lower grade materials, or no insurance.
• Can start tomorrow. During busy season (spring through fall), good Orlando fence contractors are typically booked 2-4 weeks out. If someone can start immediately, ask why they're not busier.
• No permit mentioned. A contractor who doesn't bring up the permit process is either planning to skip it (putting you at risk) or doesn't know the rules (also risky). Orlando requires permits for most fence installations.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Here's a quick-reference list of questions for your contractor conversations:

1. Are you licensed and insured in Florida? Can I see your certificate of insurance?
2. How long have you been installing fences in the Orlando area?
3. Will you handle the permit process?
4. What materials will you use? (Get specific brands, grades, and dimensions)
5. How deep will you set the posts? How much concrete per post?
6. What's your estimated timeline from contract to completion?
7. What does your warranty cover, and for how long?
8. Can I see photos of recent work and speak with references?
9. What's your payment schedule?
10. Will you call 811 for utility marking before digging?

Why Orlando Homeowners Choose Orlando Fence

We're fully licensed and insured in Florida. We carry general liability and workers' comp. We provide detailed written estimates that spell out exactly what you're getting. We set posts 30-36 inches deep in Orlando's sandy soil with proper concrete. We handle permits and HOA coordination. And we back our work with a strong warranty.

We're not the cheapest option, and we're not the most expensive. We're the option that gives you a fence done right the first time. Call us at (704) 749-0642 or get your free estimate and see the difference a quality contractor makes.