Ask for three things in writing: proof of liability insurance, any licence the contractor holds, and an itemized estimate. Then check them yourself before you sign.
The Charlotte Fence Company is licensed and insured. Ask us for the details with your estimate.
What should I ask a fence contractor before hiring?
- Are you insured, and will your insurer send me a certificate?
- What licence do you hold, and under what name?
- Who checks the zoning rules and my HOA guidelines?
- Who places the NC811 request?
- How deep are the posts, and are all of them set in concrete?
- What wood or product is it, and what size are the posts and rails?
- Is removing the old fence in the price?
- How many gates, and what hardware?
- When would you start, and how long will it take?
- What happens if you hit rock or large roots?
How do I check that a contractor is licensed and insured?
For insurance, ask for a certificate sent to you directly by the insurance company. For licensing, North Carolina requires a general contractor licence for projects above a cost threshold set in state law, and the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors has a licence search on its website along with the current threshold. Many backyard fence jobs fall under that figure, so a fence installer may lawfully work without that licence. Ask what they hold and look it up. South Carolina has its own licensing rules for work in Fort Mill.
What should a fence estimate include?
Footage, height, material and grade, post size and depth, how posts are set, each gate and its hardware, removal of the old fence, who handles permits and HOA forms, cleanup, payment terms and a start date. When two estimates differ by a lot, one of these lines is usually missing from the lower one.
Should I get three quotes?
Yes, for a full fence. Three written quotes show the going rate and which company measured carefully. Compare the scope line by line before comparing totals.
What deposit is normal?
The deposit is whatever the written contract says, so read it. A deposit that covers ordering materials, with the balance due when the fence is finished, is a common and fair arrangement. Pay by check or card, not cash, and keep the receipt.
The cheapest quote wants half up front and will not show insurance. Is that a problem?
Yes. Half up front on a simple fence is a lot to hand over before any work, and refusing to show insurance is the bigger warning. If an uninsured crew damages a neighbor's property or someone is hurt in your yard, the claim may land on you. Choose a company that will put its insurance in front of you.
I paid a deposit and the contractor stopped showing up. What can I do?
Send a dated written message asking for a firm start or completion date. If you get no answer, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Attorney General's office. If the contractor holds a state licence, the board that issued it also takes complaints. Keep the contract, the payment record and every message.
The crew cut my internet line or sprinkler pipe. Who pays?
That depends on whether the line was marked and on the contract. A locate request covers lines owned by the utilities. Irrigation, lighting wire and invisible dog fence belong to the owner and do not get marked. Tell the contractor where they are and have it noted on the estimate.
My HOA approved the fence in writing and now wants it moved. What now?
Keep the written approval safe and leave the fence where it is for now. This is a dispute with the association, not a construction fault. An attorney who handles North Carolina community association matters can advise you.
Can I install a fence myself?
Yes. A short, straight fence on level ground is a reasonable project. Digging in dry red clay is hard work, and gates and long runs are where do-it-yourself fences go wrong. You still have to contact NC811 before digging and follow the zoning and HOA rules.
The only way to get a real price for your yard is a site visit, and ours is free. Call (980) 291-4187 or text us a photo of the fence line.