Ask for proof of insurance, a written estimate that lists every item, and names of recent local customers. Texas does not issue a state licence for fence building, so the paperwork you can check is insurance and a written contract.
The Amarillo Fence Company is licensed and insured. Ask us for the documents with your estimate.
What should I ask a fence contractor before hiring?
- Does my fence need a permit, and who gets it?
- Who sends the Texas811 locate request?
- Wood or steel posts, what size, how deep and how far apart?
- How is the fence built for wind?
- What species and thickness are the pickets, or what grade of vinyl?
- Is tearing out and hauling off the old fence in the price?
- How many gates, how wide, what hinges and latches?
- What is the start date and how many days on site?
- What do you charge if you hit caliche or rock?
How do I check that a contractor is licensed and insured?
Start with insurance, because that is what Texas lets you verify for a fence builder. Ask for a certificate of liability insurance sent to you by the contractor's insurance agent. The Texas Attorney General notes that only certain trades, such as electricians, hold a state licence, so check that licence if your job includes wiring for a gate operator. Some cities also register contractors, and the building department can tell you.
What should a fence estimate include?
The footage, the height, the material and grade, post type, size, depth and spacing, every gate and its width, removal of the old fence, any permit, clean-up, the payment schedule and a start date. When two estimates differ widely, one of them is missing a line that the other has.
Should I get three quotes?
For a full fence, yes. Three written quotes show you the going rate and show which contractor measured with care. Read each scope before you compare the totals.
What deposit is normal?
A part payment before work starts is normal, and Texas sets no fixed limit for ordinary fence jobs. The Texas Attorney General says to expect to pay part of the cost up front and not to pay in full until the work is finished and you have inspected it. The exception is work after a declared disaster, where chapter 58 of the Business and Commerce Code bars a disaster remediation contractor from requiring payment before work begins. Pay by check or card and keep the receipt.
The cheapest quote wants half up front and will not show insurance. Is that a problem?
Yes. With no state licence to lose, insurance is the main protection you have, and a contractor who will not show it is asking you to carry the risk. If someone is hurt or a line is hit, you may be the one paying. Choose the bid that puts insurance, scope and payment terms in writing.
I paid a deposit and the contractor stopped showing up. What can I do?
Send a dated letter or message that sets a deadline to start work or return the money, and keep a copy. If that fails, file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General. The complaint goes on record, but getting money back may mean a small claims case in justice court. Keep the contract, proof of payment and every message.
The crew cut my internet line or sprinkler pipe. Who pays?
It depends on whether the line was marked and what the contract says. Texas811 members mark the lines they own. Sprinkler pipe, yard lighting and other lines the homeowner put in are private, and locating them is the owner's job. Tell the contractor about those before the job and have it noted on the estimate.
My HOA approved the fence in writing and now wants it moved. What now?
Keep the approval letter and answer the association in writing. The fence is not the issue here, the paperwork is. A lawyer who handles Texas property owners' association matters can tell you what the board can and cannot require.
Can I install a fence myself?
You can. A short run in soft topsoil is a fair weekend job. What defeats most home-built fences here is the digging, once a hand auger meets caliche, and then the first hard wind on posts that are too light. Gates are the other trouble spot. You still need to contact Texas811 two working days before you dig.
For a price on your own fence line, book a free on-site estimate. Call (806) 203-6722 or text us a photo of the yard.