Hiring the wrong fence company in Walnut Creek is an expensive mistake. A bad installation — poor post setting, wrong materials, unlicensed crew — can mean structural failure within a few years and no recourse if the company is gone or uninsured. The best way to protect yourself is to ask the right questions before you sign anything.
9 Questions to Ask Every Fence Contractor
1. Are you licensed and insured?
California fence contractors are required to hold a valid CSLB license (typically Class C-13 for fencing). Ask for the license number and verify it at cslb.ca.gov. General liability and workers' comp insurance are non-negotiable — you're exposed to significant risk if a worker is injured on your property without coverage.
2. Are the installers your employees or subcontractors?
Some contractors bid the job and hand it off to a subcontractor you've never met. Know who is actually showing up and whether they're held to the same standard as the company you hired.
3. Can you provide a written, itemized quote?
A verbal quote is not a contract. Get a written estimate that specifies materials, scope of work, timeline, and total price before any work begins.
4. What is your warranty?
Is it written? What does it cover — workmanship only, or materials too? How long does it last? A company that won't put a warranty in writing is telling you something.
5. Do you pull permits?
Many fence projects in Walnut Creek require a permit, especially for fences over a certain height. The contractor should know local rules and be willing to pull the permit. If they suggest skipping it to save time or money, walk away.
6. Who handles utility locating?
Before any posts go in the ground, utility lines need to be marked. California law requires a call to 811 before digging. This should happen before the crew arrives, not day-of.
7. How do you set posts?
Post depth and concrete mix are the foundation of a durable fence. Posts should be set to a minimum of one-third of their total length in properly mixed concrete. Shortcuts here are the most common source of early fence failure.
8. What specific materials do you use?
Ask about the species, gauge, grade, or coating for your job. A contractor who can answer this clearly and confidently knows their materials.
9. Can you provide references from recent jobs?
Any established company should be able to provide 2 to 3 references from the past 6 months. Call them. Ask whether the crew showed up on time, whether the fence matched the quote, and whether they would hire the company again.
Hire a Company You Can Verify
All American Fence Corp is fully licensed, bonded, and insured in California. We use our own trained crews — no subcontractors — and we provide written estimates and stand behind our work with a written warranty. Contact us for a free estimate on your Walnut Creek fencing project.