Top Questions to Ask a Bonita Springs Privacy Fence Contractor Before Hiring

Hiring a privacy fence contractor in Bonita Springs—whether for vinyl or wood—requires asking the right questions to ensure quality, reliability, and a good fit for your project. Based on our prior discussions about vinyl and wood fencing, here’s a list of the top questions to ask before signing on, tailored to a 6-foot privacy fence (e.g., 100 feet). These dig into expertise, cost, and durability—key to getting your money’s worth.

1. What Materials Do You Recommend for My Needs?

• Why Ask: Vinyl’s low-maintenance (20-30 years) vs. wood’s natural look (15-20 years with care)—your climate, budget, and style matter.
• What to Hear: Vinyl: “Thick (0.12-0.15 inches), UV-protected for sun/wind.” Wood: “Cedar or redwood for rot resistance; pine for cost.” Vague answers (“whatever you want”) signal inexperience.

2. How Deep Do You Set the Posts, and What’s Your Process?

• Why Ask: Posts need 2-3 feet deep with gravel and concrete—shallow digs (1-2 feet) lean or sink, killing longevity.
• What to Hear: “2-3 feet, 4-6 inches gravel for drainage, concrete sloped for runoff.” Bonus: “We brace while curing (24-48 hours).” Skimpy details mean skimpy work.

3. What’s Included in Your Quote?

• Why Ask: Avoid surprises—100 feet ranges $2,500-$4,000 (wood) or $3,500-$6,000 (vinyl) pro-installed.
• What to Hear: “Materials ($15-$40/foot), labor ($10-$20/foot), gates ($200-$500), permits ($50-$200), cleanup.” Red flags: “We’ll figure it later” or hidden fees.

4. How Long Will Installation Take?

• Why Ask: Pros finish 100 feet in 1-3 days—delays hint at overbooking or poor planning.
• What to Hear: “1-2 days for vinyl, 2-3 for wood—weather permitting.” Bonus: “We’ll schedule a firm date.” Vague timelines (“a week or two”) are trouble.

5. Do You Handle Permits and Local Codes?

• Why Ask: Height (6 feet max in some areas), setbacks, and utilities (call 811) vary—fines or redo costs hit you otherwise.
• What to Hear: “Yes, we pull permits and check codes—utilities marked before digging.” “No” means extra legwork for you.

6. What’s Your Experience with Privacy Fences?

• Why Ask: Wood needs cutting/staining skill; vinyl needs precision—5-10+ years proves they’ve mastered it.
• What to Hear: “We’ve done hundreds—specialize in wood/vinyl privacy.” Photos or references seal it. “A few jobs” or no examples? Pass.

7. What Warranties Do You Offer?

• Why Ask: Vinyl’s lifetime material coverage vs. wood’s shorter lifespan—labor warranties (1-5 years) cover install flaws.
• What to Hear: Vinyl: “Lifetime on materials, 1-5 years labor.” Wood: “1-5 years labor, wood treatment guaranteed.” Weak warranties (none or “materials only”) risk $500 fixes.

8. How Do You Handle Slopes or Obstacles?

• Why Ask: Slopes need stepping/racking (vinyl) or custom cuts (wood)—rocks or trees test skill.
• What to Hear: “We step or rack panels for slopes; adjust posts for obstacles.” Bonus: “We’ve handled worse.” “We’ll figure it out” lacks confidence.

9. Can I See Examples of Your Work?

• Why Ask: Photos or local jobs show quality—tight boards, straight lines, clean finishes.
• What to Hear: “Here’s our portfolio—check this address nearby.” No proof? No trust—$3,000 deserves evidence.

10. What Maintenance Should I Expect?

• Why Ask: Vinyl’s zero-upkeep vs. wood’s staining (every 3-5 years)—pros should guide you.
• What to Hear: Vinyl: “Hose it off, that’s it.” Wood: “Re-stain every 3-5 years—$200-$500 for 100 feet; we can advise.” Clueless answers mean clueless builds.

Bonus Questions

• “Are You Licensed and Insured?”
• Why: Protects against damage (e.g., $1,000 utility hit) or injuries—ask for proof.
• “What’s Your Payment Schedule?”
• Why: 30-50% upfront, rest on completion—full payment first is a scam risk.

How to Use These

• Call 3-5 Contractors: Local pros, big-box referrals (Home Depot), or specialists (e.g., Superior Fence).
• Compare Answers: “Cedar, 3-foot posts, $3,000, 2 days” beats “Pine, 2 feet, $2,000, maybe a week.”
• Red Flags: Evasive, pushy, or dirt-cheap ($20/foot)—quality suffers.

Your Win (100 Feet)

• Best Case: $3,000—cedar or thick vinyl, deep posts, 2-day install, solid warranty.
• Avoid: $2,000 with shallow digs or no refs—$500 fixes loom.

Ask these to a Bonita Springs Privacy Fence Contractor, and you’ll spot the best—$3,000-$4,000 gets you a 15-30-year fence, secure and sharp.