Most homeowners hire a fence company the same way they order pizza: collect three quotes, compare prices, and pick the cheapest one.
Sometimes that works.
Sometimes the posts start leaning by year two, the gate sags by year three, and the contractor who installed it has stopped answering the phone.
At J&A Fence, we’ve been installing fences throughout southern Chester County and northern Delaware since 2012. We’ve also repaired plenty of fences built by contractors who cut corners. In many cases, the problem wasn’t the material itself. It was the planning, installation methods, or questions that never got asked before the contract was signed.
If you’re comparing fence companies, these are the five questions we recommend asking every contractor — including us. None of them are about finding the lowest price. They’re about finding the right company.
1. Are You Registered, Insured, and Qualified to Perform Home Improvement Work in Pennsylvania?
This question immediately eliminates a surprising number of contractors.
Many homeowners assume Pennsylvania requires fence contractors to hold a specific state-issued license. In reality, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry explains that most residential contractors are not licensed through a statewide contractor licensing program.
What Pennsylvania does require is registration under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA).
Under HICPA, contractors performing $5,000 or more in home improvement work annually must register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. That registration number must appear on contracts, proposals, and advertisements, and homeowners can verify it through the Attorney General’s public database.
Before accepting a quote, ask for the contractor’s HICPA registration number and verify it yourself.
At J&A Fence, our registration number is PA096517.
While you’re having that conversation, ask about insurance as well. A reputable fence contractor should be able to provide proof of general liability insurance, workers’ compensation coverage, and current certificates of insurance.
A contractor who hesitates to provide documentation is giving you useful information before you’ve spent a dollar.
2. Who Handles the Permit Process and Utility Locates?
Fence permits are one of the biggest sources of confusion for homeowners because requirements vary significantly from one municipality to another.
A contractor who regularly works in your area should already understand local permit requirements, zoning restrictions, HOA approvals, and utility locating procedures.
Penn Township is a good example. According to the township’s permit information, fence projects require permit review, and residential approvals can take up to two weeks. HOA approval may also be required before the township processes an application.
The specifics change from township to township, but the questions homeowners should ask stay the same:
- Do you handle permit applications?
- Have you worked in my township before?
- What is the current permit timeline?
- Are there any HOA requirements I should know about?
Just as important is the excavation process.
Pennsylvania law requires underground utilities to be marked before digging begins. Through PA One Call (811), utility companies identify underground gas, electric, communication, and other utility lines before fence posts are installed.
This isn’t optional. It’s required by law.
A contractor who skips the utility locate process creates unnecessary risk for everyone involved. At J&A Fence, we coordinate permit applications, HOA documentation when needed, and PA One Call utility notifications as part of the installation process.
3. What Materials Are You Installing—and Why?
One of the biggest misconceptions in the fencing industry is that all vinyl, aluminum, or wood fences are essentially the same.
They’re not.
Two fences can look nearly identical when they’re installed and perform very differently ten years later.
That’s why material discussions should go beyond simple labels like “vinyl fence” or “cedar fence.”
Ask the contractor:
- What specific product line are you installing?
- Where is it manufactured?
- Why do you recommend it?
- What warranty comes with it?
- Are replacement parts readily available?
Experienced contractors should be able to answer those questions without looking through a catalog.
For wood fencing, ask about the species. Western red cedar, white cedar, and pressure-treated pine all perform differently in southeastern Pennsylvania’s climate.
For vinyl fencing, ask about wall thickness and manufacturing standards, and for aluminum fencing, ask about rail construction, picket strength, and finish quality.
At J&A Fence, we install Country Estate aluminum and vinyl products because of their long-term track record and American manufacturing standards. For premium wood installations, western red cedar remains our preferred choice for its durability, appearance, and performance in Pennsylvania’s weather.
A contractor who understands their materials should be able to explain exactly what they’re installing and why they trust it.
4. What’s Included in the Quote—and What Isn’t?
A detailed written quote is one of the clearest indicators of a professional contractor.
Most homeowners focus on the final number at the bottom of the page. The better approach is to look at everything above it.
A quality proposal should clearly identify:
- Fence type and material
- Product line or wood species
- Fence height
- Gate sizes and quantities
- Post specifications
- Permit responsibility
- Cleanup expectations
- Payment schedule
- Warranty information
Just as important are the items that may not be included.
Depending on the project, homeowners should ask whether the quote covers:
- HOA submission fees
- Property surveys
- Rock excavation
- Tree or root removal
- Irrigation repairs
- Invisible dog fence repairs
- Landscape restoration
- Existing fence removal
The best contractors discuss these possibilities before work begins rather than presenting them as surprises halfway through the project.
The more detailed the proposal, the easier it becomes to compare contractors fairly. Remember: the cheapest quote is often the least detailed quote.
5. What Happens If Something Goes Wrong Three Years From Now?
Most fence companies talk about warranties. Far fewer explain how those warranties actually work.
Before signing a contract, ask what the workmanship warranty covers, how long it lasts, and how warranty requests are handled.
A workmanship warranty typically covers installation-related issues such as:
- Post movement
- Gate sagging
- Hardware failures caused by installation errors
- Panel attachment problems
- Structural installation defects
You should also ask about the manufacturer’s warranty. Material warranties differ from workmanship warranties and are provided by the manufacturer rather than the installer.
One question we always recommend asking is:
“If a gate latch fails in year three, who do I call?”
It’s a simple question, but the answer tells you a lot.
A warranty is only as valuable as the company standing behind it. When a contractor has a long history in the area, a permanent location, and established staff, getting support tends to be much easier than tracking down a company that may no longer be operating.
It’s also worth asking whether a final walkthrough is included. A professional walkthrough gives homeowners the opportunity to inspect gates, hardware, fence alignment, and overall workmanship before the project is officially completed.
Bonus Question: Can I See the Materials Before I Buy?
This is one of the simplest questions homeowners can ask, and it’s often one of the most revealing. Photos are helpful, but they’re not the same as standing next to a vinyl panel, examining a cedar board, comparing aluminum profiles, or testing gate hardware in person.
Being able to compare materials side by side helps homeowners understand differences in:
- Quality
- Appearance
- Construction
- Hardware options
- Long-term maintenance requirements
It also tells you something about the contractor.
Companies that invest in showrooms, displays, and physical locations tend to have a stronger long-term presence than businesses operating exclusively from a truck and a phone number.
J&A Fence operates a showroom on Gap Newport Pike where homeowners can compare materials, ask questions, and make decisions with more confidence.
Before You Compare Prices, Compare Answers
Most fence companies can provide a quote. The better question is whether they can provide clear answers.
A contractor who can explain permits, materials, installation methods, warranty coverage, and local requirements is usually much easier to work with than one whose entire sales pitch revolves around being the cheapest option.
The five questions above take only a few minutes to ask, but they can save homeowners years of frustration.
If you’re planning a fence project in Chester County, Delaware County, or northern Delaware, we’d be happy to answer all five before providing an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions Before Hiring a Fence Contractor
Do Fence Contractors Need a License in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide contractor license for most residential construction work. However, contractors performing qualifying home improvement work must register under HICPA through the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Fence Permit in Chester County?
Most residential permit reviews take one to two weeks, although timelines vary by municipality and HOA requirements.
What Should Be Included in a Fence Estimate?
Materials, labor, gate specifications, post-installation details, permit responsibility, cleanup expectations, payment terms, and warranty information should all be clearly identified.
What Does a Fence Warranty Usually Cover?
Most projects include both a workmanship warranty from the installer and a material warranty from the manufacturer. Coverage varies, so homeowners should review both before signing.
What Does a Fence Warranty Usually Cover?
Most projects include both a workmanship warranty from the installer and a material warranty from the manufacturer. Coverage varies, so homeowners should review both before signing.
Do Fence Contractors Handle Utility Locates?
Most professional contractors coordinate PA One Call utility locates before excavation begins. Pennsylvania law requires underground utilities to be marked before digging.
