5 things to consider in hiring a fence contractor,

If you are beginning to think about installing a new fence around your yard this Spring you may be wondering how to choose a contractor,

One great way to start is to ask friends who have gone through the process who they used and how the experience went. At Sterling Fence Inc. 27% of our work comes from referrals from previous customers. Once you have a couple of companies that sound good, have an estimator out. A good estimator will educate you on product and process. You want to feel that you can trust the salesman,  that he is genuine and what he says is accurate and will happen as he states.

In deciding which company you want to hire, check with the Better Business Bureau. See that the companies record is good, that any disputes that may have occured  have been resolved.

You will want to hire a contractor that is licensed and insured. Sterling Fence Inc. is both licensed and insured.  To hire an uninsured contractor is to risk a lawsuit if anyone is hurt while on the job. I was at a gathering of fence contractors a few years ago and found that 20% were not carrying Workman's Comp insurance.

Finally, experience and time in business counts. The difference in experience can make the difference intially and over the life of the fence between having a finished professional look or having the look of a do it yourself project.  Anyone can install a fence, but using a material that will hold up and installing in a way that will look good in 10 years takes experience.

Invisible fence versus classic fences for Dogs

There are many options for fencing to keep you dog in your yard. A relatively new type of fence is the invisible fence. This style is designed with a buried wire underground around the perimeter of your yard and a shock collar which your dog wears around his neck which will transmit a shock to your dog if he crosses the underground wire. The dog is trained not to cross that line through the use of flags marking the underground wire.

Sterling Fence Inc. does not install this type of fence. We feel the disadvantages outweigh the advantages in most cases.

The advantages of the invisible fence are that it in inexpensive, dogs can't jump over it, gates aren't left open and you can't see it.

The disadvantages are that other animals are not kept out. Racoons which carry rabies and Coyotes are not kept out. Once in your yard they can attack your dog and your dog cannot get away because of the invisible fence.  If a squirrel or deer is seen by your dog he will usually get excited and chase it, going through the wire, getting shocked. However, he will not likely return through that line, leaving him locked out of your yard.

In addition, if your electricity goes out in a storm the system will go down and your dog will be free to run away. If this happens during the day while you are at work, its a problem,

Sterling Fence Inc. can install or sell you material  for any type of fence that will fit your budget, be beautiful and long lasting and it will keep your dog safe without having to resort to shocking him for just being a dog.

Good fences make good neighbors, they say. Good laws make good neighbors and good fences.
A little slower? If spring fix-up season has you picking up the tab for a new backyard fence that keeps your dog and your brown spots on your side  and the neighbor's dog on his you're being pretty darned considerate aren't you.  The guy next door says you could be more neighborly if you were to build the fence with the finished side facing his house. After all, he has to look at it, too.  Several Minneapolis suburbs such as Bloomington have addressed this controversy about fences and views of them by enacting “pretty-side-out” ordinances. These ensure that the neighbors and passersby on the street see the best side of your home improvement. For the best view on both sides of the fence, contractors promote what they call “good-neighbor” fences, with two finished sides and posts hidden in the center. “If I was fighting with the neighbor I'd put the smooth side out,” says Ken Mills. “That's what “When money doesn't seem to be a problem" isn't an issue. Sterling Fence Inc. suggests a "shadow box,” which features vertical boards nailed alternately on both sides of horizontal rails. In general terms, a fence with two finished sides costs about 15 percent more than a similar fence with only one finished side local fencing contractors have said. While most homeowners are inclined to do the neighborly thing, others are annoyed to learn — depending on the suburb — there are restrictions that can affect their plans. “Sometimes we have trouble explaining the rules to customers,” said Dale Eads, owner of Eads Fence Co., Loveland. “Sometimes they think they can specify exactly what they want because they're paying for it. But we can't really break the law.”

Why some posts last longer in the ground than others

Sterling Fence Inc. is constantly contracting to replace the post that have weakened on older wood fences. Why do some posts last longer than others?  Its almost always due to the moisture in the ground being greater in one area than another. At Sterling Fence Inc. we will look at a yard with a 20 year old fence and several broken posts but 90% of the posts are good. While its impractical to test soil moisture in different areas of the yard, it is usually clear which areas are wetter than others.  It may be a garden area, an area where the sump pumps releases water or a low spot in the yard.  Different soils hold moisture differently as well. Clay areas hold moisture more than sandy soils.  Peat soils indicate moisture.  Posts don't deteriorate by themselves it takes moisture.

Treated pine wood posts versus Western Red Cedar posts,,,which to use

There has always been discussions on using treated wood or Western Red Cedar in the installation of wood fence. Lets look at posts. Sterling Fence Inc. uses Western Red Cedar wood posts...why? It's really a question of the relative stability of the two woods. Treated wood is almost always pine, Its an inexpensive wood and without treating the wood, its life expectancy is less than 5 years. It's also a very unstable wood. In the lumber industry its called " propeller wood" for its tendancy to twist and warp. While it may last a few more years in the ground than Western Red Cedar, it will ruin the look of the entire fence as it twists and warps. Sterling Fence Inc. uses Cedar which is stable and will give you many years of service and at the same time keep the fence straight and true.

Wood Fence,

Our installation crews at Sterling Fence Inc. take pride in their craftsmanship. We have many referrals and repeat customers. On privacy and picket fences we set post approximately 3’ in the ground (8” diameter footing) and cement top 2/3’s so post do not rot prematurely.
Fences conform to the contour of the ground and posts. Gates are custom fabricated at the job site, with heavy decorative hardware being used. Good fences must be straight and clearing obstacles in the way is important.
We inspect the ground during bid quotation and modify the building of the fence if necessary. All types of dirt, clay, sand, black dirt, peat, and gravel are taken into consideration.
Located in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, Sterling Fence Inc. offers a free wood fencing quote

Horse and Paddock Fence

Sterling Fence Inc. sells and installs many different styles and types of materials for horse fencing. One popular style is our Mountain Split rail. Using 11' long rails of mixed hardwoods and locust or treated pine posts, this material offers strength and longevity. The rails overlap each other through the post for strength and gives a  look that can only be matched in the Unionville Pa hunt country.