Hunter Fence and Rail - FAQ's Q: What are the main factors in choosing a fence contractor? A: Service, Quality, Craftsmanship. You should look for a fence contractor that is oriented towards providing the best quality, craftsmanship, and total customer service for your particular needs. Hunter Fence and Rail is a service-centric company that is geared to satisfying customers. We arrive on-time for your estimates and hold to our word on scheduling your work quickly. Our quality is better because our crews concentrate on fence construction. They know and understand what is important when building a quality product. The craftsmanship and materials that we use are superior compared to most other fence contractors. Q: I'm having a pool installed and there is 5 feet of cement that will surround it. I would like to have the fence to be on the edge of cement. Because the cement will go in before the fence will be installed, I was thinking of placing PVC pipe in the cement forms before they pour. A: Place the fence just outside the concrete surface so the posts can be set in dirt. It is an easier and therefore cheaper installation. If you must set the posts on the concrete, core drilling the postholes after the concrete is poured and cured is the best. An expansion cement is used to set the posts in the pad. This is easiest on styles with small posts of under 3" diameter, but will work also on large 4 x 4's or 5 x 5's. Q: What are the components of a wood privacy fence? A: The frame and panels are the two major components of a wood privacy fence. The frame is made up of posts set into the ground and rails make up the crossbeams. The posts are set into concrete for stability and 2-3 rails run horizontally to make up the frame of the wood fence. A level and well-built frame is the most important piece of long-lasting fence construction. The picture above shows a wood privacy fence with a 3 rail frame. The second main component is the panels. Fence panels are made up of vertical pickets that are anywhere from 6' to 8' high. In addition, many customers opt for a 6" bottom board that runs along the bottom of the fence. The purpose of this board is to provide an easy replacement and keep the bottom of each of the fence pickets from touching the ground and rotting over time. Q: Setting wood fence posts sounds easy, what's the big deal? A: Anyone who has ever tried setting wood fence posts truly appreciates the challenge and difficulty. The task of setting fence posts so that they're plumb and evenly spaced is the factor that makes this such a tough job. Utilizing plumb lines and levels so that a series of wood fence posts maintain continuity is just the first step towards a properly constructed fence. Digging the holes and filling them with concrete must be done carefully to assure that the fence maintains strength and alignment as years pass. The shape of a fence post hole is important to ensure that the wood fence maintains its strength over time. Q: What do I need to do to prepare for having my fence repaired or replaced? A: Trimming back bushes and landscaping is the first step to having your fence repaired. We want to insure that your landscaping is unharmed during construction. Additionally, please let your neighbors know that you'll be having your fence repaired or replaced. Q. Which is more durable; chain link or wood? A. Typically, chain link fencing lasts longer; however, snow load can take it's toll on the chain link, making it sag and sometimes break. Wood fencing holds up better than chain link against snow loads; however, the wood posts will rot over time, making the fence lean, and eventually fall over, while the framework and face boards are still in good shape. Substituting steel posts in a wood fence will give you the best of both worlds. Q. What is the preferred fence height? A. Fence heights vary considerably, from the ornamental, two-foot high picket fencing typically surrounding lawn or flower borders to a twelve-foot tall tennis court fence. However, the typical back yard fence is six feet tall. Front yard fencing is either three or four feet tall. Q. Do I need a building permit? A. The property owner is required by the City to apply for a building permit with the planning department prior to construction. The county does not require a permit, however, fences must still conform to all height and set back requirements Q.What areas do you install residnetial and commercial fence? A. Hunter Fence and Rail installs in all areas of the southeast including Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Mayport, Ponte Vedra, Orange Park, St. Augustine, Fernadina Beach, Amelia Island, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa. Don't see your area listed? Please use our contact form, ask us and allow us to bid on your next residential or commercial project.