Published · By Frank DeLozier, Owner & Master Fence Builder
The right questions, about insurance, materials, post depth, timeline, and warranty, reveal a quality contractor.
Before hiring a fence contractor, ask about insurance, local experience, the materials and their quality, how deep posts are set (and whether in concrete), who does the work, the timeline, the warranty, and payment terms. Also confirm the quote is written and itemized. Good answers are clear and specific; vague or evasive ones are a red flag.
Ask Before You Sign
A short conversation before you hire a fence contractor can save you a lot of trouble. Asking the right questions reveals whether a contractor is experienced, insured, and building to last, or cutting corners you will pay for later. A good contractor welcomes these questions and answers them clearly; hesitation or vagueness tells you something too.
Below are the key questions to ask, and what good answers sound like. You do not need to interrogate anyone, just work these into the estimate conversation. How a contractor responds is as informative as the answers themselves, giving you a real feel for who you are considering hiring.
"Are you insured, and can I see proof?"
Start here. Ask whether the contractor carries insurance and ask to see proof, not just a verbal yes. Liability coverage protects your property during the work, and appropriate coverage matters if a worker is injured on-site. This is basic protection for you, and any reputable contractor has it.
A good answer is a clear yes with a willingness to provide documentation. Reluctance, excuses, or a vague answer is a serious red flag, hiring an uninsured contractor can leave you exposed. It is also fair to ask about any licensing that applies to the work in your area.
"How long have you been building fences here?"
Ask about experience, and specifically local experience. A contractor who has built many fences in the OKC area understands Oklahoma’s soil, wind, and conditions and builds for them. Years in business locally also mean a track record and reputation you can verify.
A good answer conveys solid, relevant experience in your area, ideally with examples or references. Be more cautious with someone who is vague about their experience or does not regularly work in your region, since building a fence that lasts in Oklahoma takes knowing local conditions.
"What materials do you use, and what quality?"
Materials determine longevity, so ask what the contractor uses, the type and grade of wood or other material, the gauge of chain link, the quality of hardware and posts. There is a real difference between quality materials and the cheapest available, and it shows up over the fence’s life.
A good contractor speaks knowledgeably about materials and explains their choices. If the answer is vague or the emphasis is only on being cheapest, be cautious. Understanding what is going into your fence lets you compare quotes fairly, since a lower price built on lesser materials is not the bargain it appears to be.
"How deep do you set posts, and in concrete?"
This is one of the most revealing questions, because posts are the foundation of a fence and where corners get cut. Ask how deep the contractor sets posts and whether they set them in concrete. In windy Oklahoma, posts set deep and in concrete are what keep a fence from leaning or blowing over.
A good answer describes setting posts to an appropriate depth in concrete, built for our wind. Shallow posts or skipping concrete to save time and money is a leading cause of failed fences here. A contractor who takes posts seriously is building to last; one who is dismissive about them is a warning sign.
"Who actually does the work?"
Ask who will build your fence, the company’s own crew or subcontractors, and who supervises the job. This affects the consistency and accountability of the work. It is fair to know whether the people who quoted the job are the ones standing behind its execution.
A good answer is clear about who does the work and how it is overseen. This is not a dealbreaker either way, but a straightforward answer, and a company that takes responsibility for the crew’s work and quality, is reassuring. Evasiveness about who is on your property is worth noting.
"What is the timeline?"
Ask when the work can start and how long it will take. This sets expectations and lets you plan, and it surfaces whether the contractor is realistic. Timelines depend on the season, the company’s backlog, and the project size, so a thoughtful answer accounts for those.
A good answer gives a realistic start window and duration and is honest about what could affect it, like weather. Be a little wary of promises that seem too good, or of a contractor who cannot give you any sense of timing. Clear communication about the schedule previews how the whole project will be managed.
"What warranty do you offer?"
Ask what the contractor stands behind. A workmanship warranty means they will make right issues with how the fence was built, which signals confidence in their work and protects you. Find out what is covered and for how long, and get it in writing.
A good answer is a clear warranty the contractor is happy to explain, a sign they expect the fence to hold up and will back it if it does not. At Metro Fence, every installation carries a one-year workmanship warranty. A contractor unwilling to stand behind their work at all is a reason to keep looking.
"How does payment work?"
Understand the payment terms before you commit: any deposit, the schedule, and when the balance is due. Reasonable terms are normal; be cautious of a contractor demanding full payment up front before any work is done, which is not standard and carries risk.
A good answer lays out fair, clear payment terms in writing as part of the agreement. Transparent terms are part of a professional operation, and they should be spelled out plainly rather than left to a handshake. If the payment structure feels off, or is pushed on you with pressure, treat that as a signal and slow down before signing anything.
"Can I get the quote in writing, itemized?"
Finally, make sure you get a written, itemized quote that spells out the scope, materials, and what is included, not just a number. A detailed written quote protects both sides, lets you compare contractors fairly, and prevents misunderstandings about what you are getting.
A good contractor provides a clear written quote as a matter of course. If a contractor resists putting things in writing or keeps the quote vague, that is a red flag. The written, itemized quote is both a practical tool and a window into how professionally the contractor operates.
How Metro Fence Answers These
We welcome every one of these questions. Metro Fence is a locally owned OKC company led by owner and master fence builder Frank DeLozier; we carry insurance and provide proof, use quality materials, and set posts deep in concrete for Oklahoma wind. We give clear, itemized written quotes, communicate straight about timeline and payment, and back every install with a one-year workmanship warranty.
When we come out for your free estimate, ask us anything, we would rather you hire us knowing exactly how we work. See our services and reviews to learn more.
Get a Free Fence Quote
We come to your property anywhere in the OKC metro, answer all your questions, and give you a clear, itemized quote with honest guidance. Every install carries a one-year workmanship warranty.
Call us at (405) 767-4828 or request a free quote to get started.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Ask about insurance (and request proof), local experience, the materials and their quality, how deep posts are set and whether in concrete, who does the work, the timeline, the warranty, and payment terms, and confirm the quote is written and itemized. Clear, specific answers signal a quality contractor; vague ones are a red flag.
Because posts are the foundation of the fence and where corners are often cut. In windy Oklahoma, posts set deep and in concrete keep a fence from leaning or blowing over, while shallow posts or skipping concrete are a leading cause of failure. A contractor who takes post-setting seriously is building to last.
No. Reasonable terms, such as a deposit with the balance due on completion, are normal, but a contractor demanding full payment before any work is done is not standard and carries risk. A professional contractor lays out fair, clear payment terms in writing. If the terms feel off or come with pressure, slow down.
Yes. Always get a written, itemized quote that spells out the scope, materials, and what is included. It protects both sides, lets you compare contractors fairly, and prevents misunderstandings. A contractor who resists putting the quote in writing or keeps it vague is showing you a red flag.
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