Austin Fence Installation Blog

What Do I Need to Know When I Hire a Fence Contractor?

Looking to build a fence around the premises of your yard? Or perhaps you want to tear down an old fence and renew your perimeter? You can rely on your local fence contractors to get a new fence up for you in a jiffy. But if you’re new to fencing, you might want to learn more about how the process works, as well as what costs are involved with building a new fence.

What is Fencing?

Fencing is a wood, plastic, vinyl, stone, or hedge panel that serves as a border, marking the edges of your property. Traditional fences are made with wooden posts and panels that continue around the entire perimeter of the home. They are also used as a visual screen for decoration, and can provide extra security by stopping potential invaders.

How to Hire a Fence Contractor?

Once you’ve decided that you want a fence to be built on your property, you need to find an expert who can install it for you. Not only do you want to know how to choose the right fencing contractor to do a high-quality job, but you also want to know how you can pay the right price. It’s important to avoid scammers and contractors that are just trying to gaff you for more money. The best way to hire a fence contractor is to know what questions to ask.

What Should I Ask My Fence Contractor?

Your fence contractor should be able to confidently answer these questions:

  1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

Don’t ever work with a contractor that isn’t sufficiently licensed or insured, or else you may run into issues with liability and damage.

  1. Can you provide a written contract?

Always get everything on paper, especially your business dealings. Make sure that the quote you receive from your fence contractor is put in written word and in a contract that you can sign.

  1. Do you accept payment after the job, or do you require a deposit?

Have a conversation about how you’re going to pay. Most contractors accept full payment after the job is complete, although some may require a small deposit up front.

  1. Do you have any testimonies from satisfied customers?

It’s always good to hear a word of recommendation from your peers. A good company will have plenty of good reviews and even word-of-mouth recommendations.

  1. Are you a member of the AFA or BBB?

You can trust a company that has proper certifications and professional memberships. The AFA is the American Fence Association, and the BBB is the Better Business Bureau – two organizations any decent fencing contractors should be a part of!

How Much Does a Fence Cost?

Every fencing contractor will offer different prices depending on how much fencing you want and what fencing material you want. According to Home Advisor, the average cost to install a new fence runs between $1,600 and $2,700. Again, this varies widely depending on how many square feet you’re looking to fence, as well as what type of fence you want. In most cases, your fencing will be charged by the foot, so it’s important to have an open discussion about this with your contractor.

Get Your Fencing Needs Taken Care of ASAP

Building a new fence is an exciting part of upgrading your home. Whether you need to spruce up your existing fence or install a new one altogether, you have plenty of options when using your local trusted fencing experts. Give us a call to talk about your fencing needs, and schedule a consultation with us when you’re ready. Our fencing experts can’t wait to talk to you!

Austin Fence Rules

The City of Austin has put together a page about fences, based on the City Code regarding them. In this article, we’ll go over some Austin fence rules. This should help you with installing a fence by the fence companies in Austin. You want to make sure you’re within these guidelines. If you have questions about them, you can call B.C. Fence. We know Austin’s fence rules very well and can help you navigate them.

When you need a permit

You don’t need a permit to build a fence at or below 7’ of any material such as wood, vinyl, metal or stone. Of course, that’s provided you don’t live in a floodplain hazard area. If you need to find out as to whether you are in a floodplain hazard area, call the Watershed Protection Department at 512-974-2843.

Building a ‘solid’ fence

You can build a ‘solid’ fence between 6’ and 8’ provided that it meets the requirements of City Code 25-2-899 (sections E through G) or you must secure a variance from the City of Austin Board of Adjustment. In either circumstance, the homeowner must get written authorization from all adjacent property owners affected by the fence. If the adjacent property owner is a property of the City of Austin, you will need to go to the Board of Adjustments and ask for a variance.

Ornamental fences

You cannot build a ‘solid’ fence over 8 feet high. According to the code, Section B of City Code 25-2-899, “an ornamental fence is a fence with an open design that has a ratio of solid material to open space of not more than one to four. A solid fence is a fence other than an ornamental fence”. If you don’t understand the difference between the two, just call us at B.C. Fence. We can explain it in depth.

Types of materials to use

The City of Austin does not regulate or prevent the usage of any types of materials in the construction of a fence.

Do you have any more questions? You can call the Development Assistance Center at the City of Austin at (512) 978-4000 or call us at B.C. Fence at 512-284-8716. We can help you with fence rules related to other cities outside of Austin too.

Why B.C. Fence Should Install Your Fence

B.C. Fence is a full service fence company. We can install, repair or rejuvenate your fence. We are experts at installation. We are located in Cedar Park and service the entire Austin area and nearby Austin such as Round Rock, Liberty Hill and Pflugerville etc. Since we are locally owned and operated fencing company, we can easily come to you and can quickly handle any problems you may have.

Our customer service is second to none. We put the customer first always. Your satisfaction is vitally important to us at B.C. Fence.  Our customers comment on our professionalism and experience. They are pleased to work with us and we know you will be too.

B.C. Fence understands the work involved in installing a fence. Let us install your fence. An expert can do it more quickly, more efficiently and so the fence will last longer. The price you pay to have a professional install your fence is minimal compared with the benefits it provides.

Our work is high in quality and we specialize in custom fences. If you can conceive of it, we can achieve it. We will make sure your vision is carried out. If there are any logistical problems, we’ll talk with you about them and work together to make sure that you are satisfied with our solutions.

Visit our services page to make sure that you can see the depth and breadth of what we can bring to your fence installation. You’ll see that we handle both business and residential fences. We know the right way to do the job the first time. We are also licensed and insured. We can handle any fence work you need in the state of Texas.

Our staff is punctual and professional. We work hard so you don’t have to. You can trust us to work diligently on your fence and not take a lot of breaks. You won’t wonder what we’re doing; you’ll see it come to fruition right before your very eyes.

Call B.C. Fence today to get your fence done by a professional, punctual and experienced staff. We’re happy to help you out.

What to Know Before Installing a Fence

Before installing a fence, there are some things you need to know. In this article, we’ll go over what to know before installing a fence. We hope our tips help you with your decision.

Know What You Want

Before Fence Installation, ask yourself why you want a fence in the first place. Depending upon what you need the fence for will help you decide what materials and how fancy the fence needs to be. A fence can function in many ways. You need to know why you’re looking for one so that you can choose the one that works best for you.

Choose Your Materials

Many people get stuck on the white picket fence idea. However, think about the commitment you may be making. Wooden fences require staining or sealing and they can warp or rot over time. You might want to consider a lower maintenance material like vinyl, aluminium, steel or wrought iron. We can certainly help you pick your fence’s materials.

Do Your Research

Check with your neighbors or your neighborhood association to see what the rules are for a fence. You’ll also want to check with the city to see what the municipal building code requires. They may dictate the height, look and material of your fence. You should ask how far a fence needs to be set back from the property as well. Finally, find out if your fence project will require a permit.

Hire B.C. Fence

You’ll want a professional to install the fence because of their know-how and efficiency. B.C. Fence will install your fence correctly and we have plenty of examples on our web site of residential fences we’ve done.

Talk to Your Neighbors

You should be up front with your neighbors about your fencing plans. Try not to block their views in their backyards unnecessarily. You may even be able to share a fence with your neighbor if they agree. However, if you do that, get all details in writing.

Now that you have some idea what to do before fence installation, you should call B.C. Fence to help get the process rolling.

Vinyl Fences versus Wood Fences

Many people can’t decide whether to get a Wood Fence or a vinyl fence. We offer a brief comparison here that may help you make your choice. We discuss price, appearance, design, durability, and maintenance.

Price

wood is usually cheaper than vinyl. However, fence installation costs are largely comparable. When you think about cost, you should factor in maintenance costs. Wood fences require more maintenance in repainting or so forth. These maintenances are part of the total cost of ownership. If you look at it more closely, vinyl, over time, will be closer in cost with wood because it requires little to no maintenance.

Appearance

Wood has a natural, traditional appearance that can’t be duplicated by other materials. Wood’s organic texture and natural variations make every wood fence unique. Painting and staining provides a variety of design options and color choices. Vinyl is available in a wide variety of designs and textures as well as colors. Vinyl provides uniformity in appearance that wood just can’t.

Design

Wood fences can be built in just about any type. The materials are shaped with simple tools and can be built to follow even complex landscaping contours. This will allow you to have a maximum flexibility of design. Vinyl, however, can only be built in certain designs. However, vinyl’s quality posts, pickets and panels are available in a wide variety of designs. They can pretty much suit anyone’s design aesthetic.

Durability

A properly built and maintained wood fence can remain on your property for years. If you use a very durable wood, then you can have a wooden fence almost indefinitely. Vinyl fences, though, offer longer life. This can offset the higher purchase cost because you won’t have to replace them as often.

Maintenance

Left in their natural state, wooden fences will age gracefully over time, slowly changing in color and texture as the years go by. Most homeowners prefer regular painting and staining to renew these finishes as part of ongoing maintenance. Today’s vinyl fences resist weather, sunlight and other environmental challenges to stay looking the same for decades. Only regular washing is needed to keep the appearance looking good.

Based on these qualifications, it’s difficult to know which is better – a wood fence or a vinyl fence. The fact is that the decision is entirely up to you. We can help you make that decision. Give us a call at B.C. Fence today.

Picket Fences – Why They Are So Charming

Everyone seems to want a house with a white picket fence. It’s as if it were part of the American dream. The truth is that picket fences do add visual charm to your landscape. They also provide added security for children and pets and give a clear determination of property boundaries in more urban areas.

Why Choose Picket Fence

Picket fences can be a pleasing way to build a sense of privacy without blocking out the world. Before you consider a picket fence, you must first decide whether it is a practical choice for your home. If you want a fence to show the boundary of your yard and maintain a welcome feeling for visitors, then a picket fence might be perfect for you.

Some people hesitate to install a picket fence because they are traditionally painted. Many homeowners do not want the continuous maintenance work. Most picket fences do require yearly touch-ups and a full repainting after five years. You could stain instead of paint. Staining is easy to reapply particularly the transparent kind. You could also let the wood weather naturally. Eventually most woods will turn to a silvery, gray color that blends into plants and vegetation.

If you want your picket fence painted, you can keep up with it. Use high-quality paint and keep touch-up paint on hand for when you notice any issues. It will take years before you need to repaint. Areas that are exposed to the sun the most will have issues first so watch out for those.

Types of Picket Fence

The best bet is to choose a simple design and simple wood. However, classic picket fences often have a decorative element that visually ties the fence in with the home. Rustic and romantic designs have more ornate pickets with polished finials and other artful details. Sometimes, you can just have a basic design that is very low-key and doesn’t compete with the home’s design.

The picket fence you choose should reflect your specific needs for the fence as well as the time period of your home.  If you have questions, please contact us at B.C. Fence. We have a great deal of experience with picket fences.

How to Choose the Fence Material for Your Yard

How do you choose the fence material for your yard? Well, the most common materials for fences are: chain link, wood, vinyl and metal. Chain link and wood are usually the most popular because of their low cost. Ornamental fences made from metals are considered ‘high-end’. Vinyl can cost about the same as a metal ornamental fence but is generally perceived as cheaper because it is made from plastic rather than metal. Read on for more information.

Wooden Fences

Now, wooden fences are classic options for homes. They give a warm, natural look that makes your landscape more inviting. Wood is also easy to customize. You can paint or stain it to match your home’s exterior and the rest of your landscape. It’s available in a wide variety of styles so there’s bound to be an option that fits your style and needs. If you want privacy, then opt for a solid fence. Picket fences and split-rail fence can add rustic style or charm. Wood fences can rot, warp or suffer insect damage over time. Get a species of wood that can withstand the elements like redwood, cedar, or pressure-treated pine.

Read our article: Cedar vs. Redwood – Which Wood Type to Choose for Your Fence

Vinyl Fences

Vinyl fences make it so you needn’t worry about maintenance. Unlike wood, it will never require a repainting. It’s resistant to insects, decay and warping. You can clean a vinyl fence with just a garden hose. It’s available in a variety of styles including privacy, post and rail, picket and pool-safety. Colors are limited for vinyl fences. Colored fences fade over time. It also costs more than wooden options so if you’re on a budget, you might be better off with wood.

Also Read: Vinyl Fences versus Wood Fences.

Metal Fences

Metal makes a statement. Wrought iron provides a highly decorative look that makes your landscape stand out. It’s usually very formal. It’s best to pair with traditional architecture. It’s extremely durable. The fences are hard to climb or knock down. It provides effective security. Metal offers little privacy since it features an open design. Wrought iron fences require a considerable maintenance because it can rust and carries a high price tag. An aluminum fence might be a better option if you’re on a budget because it isn’t as costly.

Chain-Link Fences

Chain-link fences are an affordable option for your home. While chain link can have an industrial look, choosing a style that features green or black plastic coating over the mesh helps the fence disappear into the landscape for a more subtle look around your property. Chain-link does feature an open design that doesn’t provide any privacy, but you can purchase vertical slats to weave into the mesh to block your yard from view. Chain-link fences can rust over time, so it does require some maintenance to preserve its appearance.

If you still have questions about fence materials, give us a call at B.C. Fence. Our fencing company is happy to help you determine what will work best with your yard, your needs and your budget.

Going Green with a Bamboo Fence

Bamboo fences are highly sustainable, durable and beautiful. They can help you go green in an easy way. There are several bamboo fence styles. They are: live bamboo, bamboo cane, rolled bamboo, bamboo stick and bamboo twig.

bamboo cane fence bamboo stick fence bamboo twig fence live bamboo fence

Live Bamboo Fence – a great option if you live in a climate that’s warm year-round. Bamboo grows about a foot per year. This will give you a good-sized fence in just a couple of years’ time. Once it reaches maturity, you can trim it annually.

Bamboo Cane Fence – comprised of 3/8” diameter poles woven together with galvanized wire. This type of bamboo fence is wind resistant. It won’t succumb to weather as quickly as other wood materials. It’s also harvested from renewable materials.

Rolled Bamboo Fence – a variety of bamboo fence made out of ¾” bamboo poles that are linked together and rolled up. Rolled bamboo fences come in heights up to 8’ tall. They can be installed on wood posts or over pre-existing fences, like a chain link fence.

Bamboo Stick Fence – uses ½” bamboo slats instead of poles. It can be rolled up. You’ll want to treat this fence with a weather sealer to prevent it from rotting or weather damage.

Bamboo Twig Fence – made of small bamboo twigs that are interwoven and held together with galvanized steel wire. Resembling a thatch fence, it gives your yard an island-like feel.

Now that you know what types of bamboo fences there are, we’ll discuss why going green with a bamboo fence is good for you and the environment. They are highly sustainable.  Bamboo is the largest of the grass-family and one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. Unlike trees, which can take a long time to grow large enough to be used for building materials, individual bamboo stems emerge from the ground at their full diameter and grow to their full height in a few months. Most bamboo shoots will continue to grow from the stalk where they were cut. Other types of trees have to be replanted and felled for wood.

Bamboo is also durable. It can stand up to the elements. Because of this, a bamboo fence will last longer than a traditional fence. They’re also naturally resistant to insects that bother other types of wood. Termites, for example, can’t digest bamboo so they stay away from it. Bamboo fences will last for decades.

Finally, bamboo fence in Austin are beautiful. They come in designs that easily blend in to the landscape and bring a unique beauty to any enclosure. With its natural wood-grain style, bamboo can give you the privacy of a traditional fence while bringing an exotic tropical look to your yard.

If you want us to install your bamboo fence, give us a call at 512-284-8716.

Fence Gates – What You Need to Know

A fence gate is usually affected more by wear and tear than any other part of the gate. It stands to reason because it’s the most used part of the fence. To freshen up posts and pickets, all you have to do is put a new fresh coat of paint on them. A fence gate, on the other hand, requires more attention. In this article, we’ll tell you all about fence gates.

Gate Hardware

Sometimes, you’ll need to replace or repair the gate hardware. Security gates and automated gates might be too sophisticated for you to do this on your own. You can call us at B.C. Fence to work on those. We’re happy to do it. However, most gates have hardware that’s easy to fix. We can still do it, but you might want to try it on your own. It’s really pretty easy to find replacement parts. They’re also easy to install. It’s a project that might take part of your afternoon. Of course, even though it doesn’t take much time, it can make a noticeable impact on your property.

Fence Gate Function

Make sure you install the right gate for the right fence when building the fence. If not, you could have problems later. Gates are more stable in their locked position. It, therefore, matters less what your gate is made of if it’s not used much. If it is used a lot, the material needs to fit what it’s supported by. Stone or metal are ideal for heavy hardwood or iron gates. The weight of these gates could be problematic for lesser materials. Gates that stick or scrape are common. You can usually solve the problem with new hardware or an adjustment to the existing hardware. If you detect a problem, don’t leave it for very long. The longer you leave it unattended, the more damage there will be to the gate.

Now that you know more about fence gates, we suggest you give us a call at 512 284 8716 to learn what we can do to make sure your fence gate has no problems whatsoever.

Why Do You Need a Commercial Fence?

A commercial fence is an important thing to have. You may not realize it yet. However, in this article we’ll tell you why you do need a commercial fence.

Honestly, the reasons for building a commercial fence are similar to the reasons for building a home fence. A high quality, sturdy and durable commercial fence will keep what’s inside safe, it will prevent outsiders from getting in and it will enhance the esthetic of the area.

Security

Security is usually the first reason that people think of when installing commercial fences. If you want to consider a cost-effective solution for a commercial fence, we think that chain-link is a great way to go. It’s strong yet see-through. Wrought iron has the same properties as a chain link fence. Yes, it’s durable and see-through but it’s also more expensive. Chain link is cost effective. You should avoid solid barriers when you build a security fence for your business. Why? Well, they’re desirable when erecting privacy walls for a home, but can give a potential intruder a hiding spot when used commercially.

Privacy

Depending upon the nature of your business, you may need privacy. For example, a business owner in a residential community may want privacy. In that case a wood or vinyl fence is a good way to go. They make the client feel secure so it’s great for lawyers or accountants as well. In fact, there are plenty of businesses that can benefit from a privacy fence. If you think you can, give us a call at B.C. Fence. Our Fence Company is happy to help determine the right fence for you.

Appearance

Curb appeal is yet another benefit of having a commercial fence. There are many attractive commercial fence options that will accentuate your property and keep your business safe. The appearance of your commercial fence allows you to put your best face forward when greeting customers. If you really care about the appearance aspect, go with an ornamental fence. If you’re a rural business, you might prefer wood. It’s really all up to you.

We, at B.C. Fence, have a great deal of experience with erecting commercial fences. We’d love to help you with yours. Give us a call at 512-284-8716 today.