7 Signs of a Quality Fence Contractor

A fence is only as good as the crew that builds it. The best materials in the world won’t save a fence from poor installation. After 25 years of building fences in Houston, here are the seven signs that separate a quality fence contractor from one who will cost you money in repairs.

1. Posts Are Set Deep and Plumb

This is the foundation of every fence. A quality contractor:

  • Digs post holes 24–30 inches deep (minimum one-third the above-ground post height)
  • Uses a post level to ensure every post is perfectly plumb (vertical)
  • Sets posts in concrete footings that extend 2–3 inches above ground level to shed water
  • Allows concrete to cure 24–48 hours before attaching rails

Red flag: Posts set less than 18 inches deep or eyeballed without a level. These fences start leaning within 12–18 months, especially in Houston’s soft clay soil.

2. Consistent Post Spacing

Professional fence contractors space posts uniformly at 6 to 8 feet on center. Tighter spacing (6 feet) creates a stronger, more rigid fence. Post spacing should be consistent across the entire fence line.

Red flag: Uneven post spacing, posts more than 8 feet apart, or missing posts where they should be (like next to gates or at corners).

3. Proper Rail Attachment

Rails are the horizontal boards that connect posts and support pickets. Quality installation means:

  • Three rails for 6-foot fences (top, middle, bottom) — not just two
  • Rails attached with galvanized screws or brackets, not just toe-nailed
  • Bottom rail positioned 6–8 inches above ground to prevent rot contact
  • Rail joints meeting at the center of a post, not floating between posts

4. Straight, Even Picket Lines

Stand at one end of the fence and look down the length. The top of the pickets should form a perfectly straight line. A quality crew:

  • Uses a string line to maintain consistent picket height across the entire run
  • Cuts pickets to follow grade changes smoothly (stair-stepping or racking)
  • Spaces pickets uniformly — board-on-board should have consistent overlap
  • Faces the “good side” of every picket outward

Red flag: Wavy top lines, inconsistent picket spacing, or pickets that obviously vary in width or quality.

5. Quality Hardware Throughout

Hardware is where cheap contractors cut corners most — it’s invisible to the customer but fails first:

  • Galvanized or stainless steel fasteners — Never bare steel, which rusts within months in Houston humidity
  • Ring-shank or spiral-shank nails — These grip wood fibers and resist backing out. Smooth nails pop out within 1–2 years.
  • Heavy-duty gate hardware — Spring-loaded hinges, self-closing mechanisms, and adjustable latches
  • Post caps — Simple but critical. They prevent rain from soaking into the exposed end grain of posts.

6. Clean Job Site

A contractor’s work site tells you everything about their professionalism:

  • Materials organized and stacked neatly, not scattered across your yard
  • All debris removed daily — cut-offs, concrete spillage, packaging
  • Landscaping and existing structures protected during construction
  • Final walkthrough with the homeowner before the crew leaves

At Griffin Fence, we guarantee we’ll leave your yard cleaner than we found it. If we damage a sprinkler head or a plant during installation, we fix it. That’s part of our process.

7. Written Warranty with Specifics

Every quality fence contractor provides a written warranty that clearly states:

  • What’s covered (workmanship, materials, or both)
  • The warranty duration (typically 1–5 years for workmanship)
  • What voids the warranty (unauthorized modifications, acts of nature, lack of maintenance)
  • How to file a warranty claim

Red flag: Verbal warranties, vague warranty language (“we stand behind our work”), or warranties that exclude everything that actually goes wrong.

Bonus: Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  1. How deep do you set your posts? (Answer should be 24–30 inches)
  2. What cedar grade do you use? (They should specify, not dodge the question)
  3. Can I see your Certificate of Insurance? (Should be immediate)
  4. How many fences have you built in Houston? (Experience matters in our soil and climate)
  5. Will the same crew that starts the job finish it? (Subcontractor rotation = inconsistent quality)

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check a fence contractor’s work quality before hiring?

Ask for addresses of 3–5 recently completed fences in your area. Drive by and look at the workmanship from the street — you’ll immediately see whether the top lines are straight, posts are plumb, and the overall quality meets your standards. A contractor confident in their work will happily provide addresses.

Is it normal for a new fence to have small gaps between pickets?

Small gaps (1/8 to 1/4 inch) are normal and actually desirable — they allow for wood expansion in Houston’s humidity. Pickets installed too tightly will buckle and warp as the wood swells. However, gaps larger than 1/2 inch suggest poor picket spacing.

What’s the most important thing — price, materials, or the contractor?

The contractor. A skilled crew can build a great fence with standard materials, but an unskilled crew will ruin premium materials. Prioritize finding a reputable Houston fence company with proven quality, then discuss material options within your budget.

Get a Quality Fence from a Proven Contractor

Griffin Fence has built thousands of fences across Houston since 2001. Every fence comes with a written warranty, detailed contract, and our commitment to quality workmanship. Call (713) 937-6611 or contact us online for a free estimate.