Ask for three things in writing: proof of insurance sent by the insurer, the contractor's Minnesota licence status with the number if there is one, and an itemized quote. A contractor who dodges any of the three is not worth the saving.
What should I ask a fence contractor before hiring?
- How deep will the posts be, and is that below frost depth?
- Who pulls the Saint Paul fence permit?
- Who files the Gopher State One Call notice?
- What wood species or vinyl grade, and what post size?
- Is removal and disposal of the old fence included?
- How many gates, what width, and what hardware?
- When do you start and how many days will it take?
- What happens to the price if a hole hits rock or a root?
The Saint Paul Fence Company is licensed and insured. Ask us for the documents with your estimate.
How do I check that a contractor is licensed and insured?
To check that a contractor is licensed and insured, start with the licence lookup on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website, dli.mn.gov. The department explains that a residential building contractor or remodeler licence is required for companies that offer more than one special skill to homeowners, and that a specialty contractor offering only one special skill does not need a state licence. A fence-only company may fall in the second group. Ask which applies and verify it. For insurance, have the agent send the certificate straight to you.
What should a fence estimate include?
A fence estimate should include the footage, the height, the material and grade, post size and depth, every gate, removal of the old fence, the permit, cleanup, the payment terms and a start date. The Minnesota Attorney General's guide to home building also tells owners to get the work, the materials and the full price in writing. If two estimates differ widely, one of them has probably left something out.
Should I get three quotes?
Yes, get three quotes. The Minnesota Attorney General's Office recommends at least three written bids for a significant home project. Compare what each one includes before you compare the totals.
What deposit is normal?
A modest deposit is normal. We did not find a Minnesota statute that caps deposits at a set figure. The Attorney General's Office advises keeping a down payment to a small percentage of the job and avoiding contractors who demand a large one. Use a check or a card so there is a record.
The cheapest quote wants half up front and will not show insurance. Is that a problem?
Yes. Asking for half up front goes well beyond the small down payment the Attorney General's Office describes, and no proof of insurance means an accident on your property may land on you. Either one alone is a reason to pass.
I paid a deposit and the contractor stopped showing up. What can I do?
If the contractor stopped showing up, send a dated written demand for a start date. Should that go unanswered, complaints about residential contractors can be filed with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, and the Attorney General's Office also takes consumer complaints. Conciliation court, which is Minnesota's small claims court, is open to you as well. Save the contract, the payment record and all messages.
The crew cut my internet line or sprinkler pipe. Who pays?
Who pays for a cut internet line or sprinkler pipe depends on the marks. Utility-owned lines are marked after the Gopher State One Call notice, and hitting a properly marked line is on the digger. Sprinkler pipe and other owner-installed lines are not marked by the utilities. Point them out before work begins and have that noted on the quote.
My HOA approved the fence in writing and now wants it moved. What now?
If the association approved the fence and now wants it moved, keep the approval letter safe. That dispute is between you and the board, and a lawyer who handles association matters should read both documents. We can relocate the fence when it is resolved.
Can I install a fence myself?
Yes. A short, level run is a fair project for a careful owner. The work gets hard at the digging. Every hole has to go below the frost, often through roots and stones. Long lines, slopes and gates are where most home-built fences go wrong. You still need the Saint Paul fence permit and the Gopher State One Call notice.
The only firm number is a written quote for your own yard, and the estimate is free. Call (651) 362-2183 or text us a photo of the fence line.