Before you hire, get three things in writing: proof of insurance, proof the contractor is registered with your city if the city requires it, and an estimate that lists every item. Walk away from anyone who will not put those on paper.
The Cleveland Fence Company is licensed and insured. Ask us for the documents with your estimate.
What should I ask a fence contractor before hiring?
- Does my city require a permit, and who applies?
- Are you registered to work in my city?
- Who makes the OHIO811 request?
- How deep will the posts go, and is that below the local frost depth?
- What goes in the hole: concrete, gravel or both?
- What wood, vinyl grade or chain link gauge, and what size of post?
- Does the price include taking out and hauling away the old fence?
- How many gates, what widths, what hinges and latches?
- When do you start and how many working days is it?
- What do you charge if you hit roots, rubble or rock?
How do I check that a contractor is licensed and insured?
Ask your city and ask the insurer. Ohio has no state licence for fence contractors. The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board licenses five trades only: electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing and refrigeration. Registration is done city by city. In Cleveland a contractor must be registered with the city to obtain permits, and the Department of Building and Housing will confirm a registration by phone at 216-664-2884. Rocky River and Garfield Heights also register contractors. Call the building department where you live and ask whether the company is registered there. For insurance, have the contractor's agent send a certificate straight to you. A photocopy proves little.
What should a fence estimate include?
It should list the footage, height, material and grade, post size and depth, every gate with its width, removal of the old fence, the permit, clean-up, payment terms and a start date. When two estimates differ widely, one has dropped one of those lines.
Should I get three quotes?
Yes, for a full fence. Three quotes show you the local going rate and which contractor actually measured the yard. Compare what each one includes before you compare totals.
What deposit is normal?
A deposit that pays for the materials is normal, with the balance due when the fence is finished. We are not quoting an Ohio legal limit here, so judge by the job: the deposit should make sense against the cost of the material. Pay by check or card, not cash, and get a receipt. If you signed at your home after a sales visit, Ohio's Home Solicitation Sales Act may apply. Under Ohio Revised Code section 1345.22 the buyer can cancel in writing until midnight of the third business day after signing, and the seller is generally not to start work during that time. The Ohio Attorney General's office can tell you if your contract is covered.
The cheapest quote wants half up front and will not show insurance. Is that a problem?
Yes, on both counts. Half up front is usually more than the materials cost, so you would be funding more than your own job. Without proof of insurance, damage or an injury on your property can end up as your problem. Paying a little more for a contractor with paperwork is the safer choice.
I paid a deposit and the contractor stopped showing up. What can I do?
Send a written demand with a date: start the work by then or return the money. Keep a copy. If your city registers contractors, report it to the building department. You can also file a consumer complaint with the Ohio Attorney General's office. Recovering the money may come down to small claims court. Hold on to the contract, the proof of payment and every message.
The crew cut my internet line or sprinkler pipe. Who pays?
It depends on whether the line was marked. OHIO811 covers lines owned by the utilities. Sprinkler pipe, low-voltage lighting and other private lines are not marked through it. Point out private lines before work begins and ask for them to be noted on the estimate. That way there is a record.
My HOA approved the fence in writing and now wants it moved. What now?
Keep the written approval and answer in writing. The dispute is with the association and is not about the fence itself. A lawyer who handles association matters can tell you your position.
Can I install a fence myself?
Yes, and a short, straight run on level ground is a reasonable weekend project. The holes are the hard part here. Each one has to go below frost depth through sticky clay, every 6 to 8 feet. Long runs and gates are where home-built fences usually go wrong. You must still contact OHIO811 at least 2 working days before you dig, and Cleveland requires a fence permit whoever builds it.
The only real price is one measured in your yard. The estimate is free and comes in writing. Call (216) 238-3677 or text us a photo of the fence line.