The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Fence Company

TL;DR

Most fence problems don’t show up during installation — they show up a year or two later. Leaning posts, bubbling paint, rusting hardware, or gates that stop latching. This guide covers the biggest mistakes homeowners make when hiring a fence company — and how to avoid paying twice for something that should’ve lasted decades.

Why Choosing the Right Fence Company Matters More Than You Think

For most homeowners, installing a fence is a once-in-a-decade decision. It feels simple: pick a design, sign a quote, let the team show up and build it. But behind the scenes, small shortcuts can turn into big, expensive problems — and by the time you notice, the contractor’s long gone.

At Irish Iron, we’ve replaced hundreds of fences that failed way too early — not because the weather was extreme, or the client was rough on them, but because the job wasn’t done right to begin with.

This guide breaks down the five biggest hiring mistakes people make when choosing a fence company, using real-world examples we’ve seen again and again.

Let’s start with the most common one: picking based on price.

Mistake #1: Going with the Cheapest Quote Without Asking Why

We get it — fencing can be expensive. When three companies send bids and one is a full $2,000 cheaper, it’s tempting to say “yes” and pocket the difference.

But here’s the reality: cheaper quotes almost always mean cheaper materials, thinner metal, rushed installs, or no prep work.

What’s often missing in a low-cost quote:

• Post holes that actually go deep enough to hold

• Powder coating or proper paint prep

• Rebar reinforcement or gravel drainage

• Professional welding instead of prefab panels

• Hardware that won’t rust in 18 months

We’ve seen clients pay for a new fence — only to need a full replacement 3–5 years later because it rusted out, leaned, or peeled.

Example: A homeowner in Sacramento went with a company that quoted $3,800 for a full backyard iron fence. Within two years, multiple panels had rust spots at the welds, and the latch post had pulled away from the concrete. Why? No primer, thin tubing, and posts set only 10 inches deep with loose-fill dirt.

In comparison, a properly installed iron fence with powder coating and concrete-set posts should last 20+ years with minimal maintenance.

So before you pick the lowest price, ask:

• What materials are you using?

• How are the posts anchored?

• What coating process is included?

• Are you fabricating the fence or using pre-built panels?

It’s not about picking the most expensive company — it’s about knowing what you’re paying for.

Mistake #2: Not Asking How the Fence Will Be Anchored or Installed

A fence is only as strong as the way it’s set into the ground — and this is where many companies quietly cut corners.

If you don’t ask how your fence will be anchored, you might end up with posts that start to lean within a year, or worse, shift so much they can’t support a gate or panel anymore.

Why it matters:

Fencing in Sacramento means dealing with expansive clay soils, shifting moisture levels, and dry summers that crack the ground. Posts that aren’t set deep enough — or set without gravel, concrete, or drainage prep — will absolutely move over time.

Common shortcuts to watch out for:

• Shallow post holes: Anything under 24 inches deep in soft soil is risky

• No gravel drainage: Water gets trapped under posts and softens the base

• Dry-set posts: Some companies skip concrete altogether and use tamped dirt

• No slope or grading: Flat concrete around posts = water pooling = rust

Even if the fence looks fine on day one, those posts will start to lean or lift after the first few rainy seasons — especially in backyards with poor drainage or heavy irrigation.

What to ask your fence company:

• How deep will the posts be set?

• Will you use gravel or rebar reinforcement?

• How do you account for drainage or slope?

• Do you install differently for clay or sandy soils?

Pro tip: For gates, post depth and strength matter even more. Driveway gates especially need reinforced posts, or the weight of the gate will pull everything out of alignment.

Mistake #3: Overlooking Material Quality or Coating

To the average homeowner, a metal fence is a metal fence. But under the surface, there’s a massive difference between high-quality ironwork and mass-produced tubing that starts rusting before the year’s over.

And if you don’t ask — most companies won’t tell you what they’re using.

Common material red flags:

• Thin gauge tubing instead of solid or heavy-wall iron

• Uncoated steel that’s painted in the field, not powder coated in a shop

• Prefabricated panels with basic welds or spot tacks

• No primer or rust protection before the paint goes on

We’ve seen fencing companies use hollow square tube posts that are barely thicker than soda cans — and weld them with cheap flux-core machines that leave porous seams.

What a good metal fence should include:

• Galvanized or powder-coated finishes (not just paint)

• Seamless welds with full penetration, ground smooth

• Proper prep before coating (sandblasting, cleaning, priming)

• Weather-resistant caps, hardware, and anchor bolts

If you’re buying iron, you want it to last decades, not just “until it looks bad.” A good finish won’t bubble, chip, or peel within a year — and proper welding won’t split at the joints.

How to tell if you’re getting quality:

• Ask if the metal is powder coated or just field-painted

• Check for welded joints — not screwed-on prefab panels

• Look at a sample of their previous installs (not just a catalog)

• Ask what warranty they offer on materials and finish

If your contractor avoids those questions or says, “We just spray it with Rust-Oleum before install,” — that’s a red flag.

Mistake #4: No Clear Contract or Warranty

One of the easiest ways to spot a bad fence company? A vague or incomplete contract. If the quote is a one-pager with no materials listed, no install details, and no warranty — that’s a big red flag.

Why this matters:

Fencing is one of those jobs where everything can seem fine until something breaks — and if it’s not in writing, you’re probably on your own.

We’ve talked to homeowners who were told they had a “5-year warranty,” only to find out it only covered workmanship — not the rusted panels, peeling paint, or sagging gate that showed up after year two.

Here’s what a legit fence contract should include:

• Materials: Type of metal, finish (powder coat or paint), post depth

• Labor scope: What’s included (tear-out, disposal, cleanup, etc.)

• Timeline: Clear start and expected completion dates

• Payment terms: Deposit amount, payment schedule, and method

• Warranty details: Length, what’s covered, and who to call if something fails

If anything sounds too vague (like “high-quality materials” with no specifics), ask for clarification.

What to ask your contractor:

• Do you offer a written warranty?

• Is it for materials, labor, or both?

• Who handles issues if something fails?

• Can I see an example contract before committing?

A good company wants you to understand what you’re buying — and they’ll be upfront about the details. If they hesitate, rush you, or try to skip paperwork altogether, walk away.

Mistake #5: Choosing Based on Speed, Not Process

Everyone loves fast service — but in fencing, fast isn’t always good.

If a fence company promises to start “tomorrow” or says they can finish your project in one day flat, it’s worth asking: what are they skipping to move that quickly?

What speed often sacrifices:

• Proper post setting time – concrete needs 24–48 hours to fully cure

• Prep work – skipping site cleanup, leveling, or soil adjustments

• Coating quality – rushing painting or touch-ups = early peeling

• Measurement accuracy – misaligned gates or uneven panels

• Drainage grading – water pooling = rust and long-term instability

We’ve seen fences fail because the posts weren’t allowed to cure long enough — they looked straight at first, but shifted out of alignment within weeks.

And rushed crews often don’t take the time to verify property lines, discuss gate swing direction, or check for sprinkler lines — all things that lead to stress after the install is done.

What a professional fence company does instead:

• Walks the site with you

• Discusses drainage and grading

• Verifies all measurements and property boundaries

• Uses a multi-day timeline with proper curing time

• Gives you clear expectations up front

At Irish Iron, we’d rather take an extra day and build something that holds up for 20 years — not something we have to come back and fix in two.

Conclusion

Hiring the right fence company isn’t just about finding someone who can show up fast or offer the lowest price — it’s about choosing a team that builds something that will last.

Because a good fence doesn’t just look nice when it’s installed. It stands straight in year five. It doesn’t bubble, sag, or leave you replacing panels one by one. And it comes with the kind of craftsmanship and clarity that makes you feel confident signing the contract.

At Irish Iron, we’ve replaced countless fences that failed way too early — and nearly all of them had one thing in common: the original installer cut corners the homeowner never saw coming.

So if you’re thinking about a new fence, gate, or railing — or you’re replacing one that didn’t last — get in touch with Irish Iron. We’ll walk you through exactly what you’re getting, why it matters, and how we make sure it’s done right.