Common Fencing Contractor Questions
We often are asked the same questions from different contractors looking to pick up materials or provide their customer with an accurate quote.
We appreciate the trusted partnerships we have with many of our local contractors and consider it part of our job to help them do their best!
Below are answers to some of the common questions we get from contractors. (You can read our homeowner FAQs here.)
I’m an architect/contractor/pool installer who gets a lot of requests for fence installation. How can I get started?
A good place to get started is right here with us! AVO is more than just a fence supplier; we are educators and consultants who help our partners perform at their best. We have a number of online resources, including CADdetails, Contractor Design Idea Books, and an online catalog with an easy RFQ function. Stop in to talk to our fence experts at any one of our three locations.
We also offer free design consultations, credit application, and lead referrals. Read on to learn more about our contractor resources.
What information should I know before contacting AVO?
To help us serve you better, the following information would be helpful to have during a consultation:
- Layout diagram with linear measurements.
For panels, it’s the measurements from one outside post to another outside post. For gates, from one inside post to the next inside post.
- Fence specifications based on your client’s needs and wants.
Consider the function the fence will serve. What style the client is looking for? If it’s a wooden fence, what wood grade will satisfy your client? Be aware of any other information that is important to know to choose the best material.
- Desired wood grade and fence quality.
AVO carries high-quality cedar fences with different wood grades. Some projects require only the highest quality wood grade, while others might be more flexible to work around, saving your clients’ money without giving up the overall project quality. For vinyl or chain link fences, you’ll want to know what fence weight you need.
- Town requirements for installation when surrounding a pool.
Most towns in Massachusetts usually require fences to be at least 4 to 5 feet high for fencing around the pool. The state standard indicates that the distance from the top of the bottom rail to the bottom of the next rail must be at least 45 inches. The doors should open outward and have a self-closing and self-latching lock that is least 48 inches above the ground.
Do I need to pay in-full at the time of order?
At the time of order, we only require a 50% deposit. The balance is due upon receipt of materials (by pick-up, delivery, or shipment). Customers doing business with AVO on a regular basis can apply for credit, by filling out the credit application form.
How long does it take to get materials once ordered?
Typically, a custom-manufactured order is ready within seven to 10 business days, but that can change depending on the time of year and sourcing of raw materials. Out-of-the-ordinary materials requiring a special order for raw materials not on hand can take around four weeks. If the materials you need are stocked, you can walk out with them the same day.
What items do you have readily available?
Most of AVO fences are made to order, as we offer many different sizes and styles to our clients. However, we also stock many materials right in our showrooms. Those include:
- cedar and hardwood posts and rails
- 6x8 cedar economy panels
- 6x8 Lexington vinyl privacy panels
- 4’, 5’, and 6’ black chain-link fences
Which fence style is the strongest?
This is a great question! If ease of maintenance is your customer’s highest priority, vinyl fence is probably the way to go. With adequate care, a vinyl fence can last over 25 years, and all our Bufftech® vinyl fence products come with a limited lifetime warranty. But depending on your customer’s budget and style, another choice, such as aluminum or cedar, may be better. Cedar is our most durable wood fence material, and a good choice for the four-season New England climate. Click here for a cedar vs. vinyl fencing comparison.
Do I need to cement the posts?
We recommend cement for all vinyl, chain-link, and ornamental posts. Depending on your needs, you could also choose to cement pressure-treated posts. We recommend no cement, if possible, for wood posts made from cedar.
How do you protect a wooden fence?
Wood fences can last 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance. Staining and finishing a wooden fence before it is exposed to destructive elements for extended lengths of time is one of the best ways to prolong wood’s lifetime. Read on for staining tips and stain brand recommendations based on our years of experience working in the fence industry.
How deep should the holes be for posts?
We usually recommend the fences to be in the ground at half the length of the fence: if the fence is 6 feet high, the post must be about 3 feet into the ground.
Got a question you want to see answered on the blog? Contact us and let us know!
More than your local fence company, AVO Fence & Supply knows there is always more to learn when it comes to the latest tips, technology, and professionalism in the fencing industry. We’re taking that expertise and sharing it here. Start planning your next fencing project today with AVO Fence & Supply.
