Recommendation For Fence Company

[Ryde41]

We were dealing with the company directly. The biggest lesson we learned was always put everything in writing on your contract. A math challenged architect? Isn't that an oxymoron? I'm glad your fence turned out.

[JaxFlaGal]

I used Darmata Fence to install a shadowboxed wood fence in 2006 and have been very happy with the fence. I had them come out last winter and perform a minor gate adjustment but that's been the only work I've had to have performed on the fence. Darmata was actually a referral from a Ponte Vedra fencing company since they didn't sell the wood fencing I wanted but they recommended his work. He does both wood and vinyl. Very courteous, efficient, and prompt both for the estimate and the scheduling. I needed a fence over Christmas after we got two dogs - he was the best price of the 3 quotes I obtained, and was able to start work within the week despite the holiday. Even on something as minor as a gate adjustment, I've found him and his crew to be professional and customer-centric.

Referred a friend to him three years ago and they've been very satisfied as well. That friend has unfortunately had cars crash through his fence twice since then (no, the wood fence wouldn't stop a car veering off a 45mph roadway) but each time Darmata's had his foreman or himself out quickly and made the repairs properly and thoroughly.

[Robyn55]

When we were building our house - everything - and I mean everything was in writing. I think that's why we were on cordial terms with our builder when the house was finished.

Not only did our architect sometimes have problems with math - our builder did too. It's a good thing we were on the job every day and caught any mistakes while they were being made. But our architect (now deceased) had a good sense of aesthetics - and our builder built "sturdy". So - overall - we were pretty happy with the results. Robyn

[Walkingonsunshine]

Originally Posted by Robyn55

Hey - this is maybe the first time I've ever agreed with you . We used Edwards Ornamental when we built our house in 1995. Not for a fence - but for front porch railings. Powder coated aluminum. The work was not inexpensive - but it was done perfectly. And it has lasted longer than I expected. It is only now - at age 16 - that the powder coating on some of the caps where the railings go into the concrete is starting to spall a bit. One day - when we aren't feeling lazy - we will probably just sand off the areas where the spallng is - and spray paint them (the only way to get a new factory finish is to yank the railings out of the concrete and take them back to Edwards for a professional paint job - a prohibitively expensive proposition).

BTW - this is a picture of some of our railings:





Ryde41 - what's the basis for your statement that Edwards Ornamental is a "crook"? What problems did you have? We didn't have any problems with the company at all.

Also - to the OP - make sure that your fence plans comply with any applicable zoning rules/building codes/HOA rules/etc. Robyn

Love the house Robyn. Front porch is great! I hope we can find something like that.

[graftenberg]

I would recommend Armstrong.

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by Walkingonsunshine

Love the house Robyn. Front porch is great! I hope we can find something like that.

Well good luck in your search for a house. We had to build one ourselves to get what we wanted. Robyn

[luger9]

Call Stephens Fencescape 465-0423 for a free quote, They are a small gig out of Fruit Cove i believe. I had them do some work on my rentals and my own house. I was very impressed with them. Attention to detail seems to be #1 to him thru out our conversations and projects. He does all styles of fencing and even ornamental Gates and railings.

[grayrunner]

I have a similar problem even though I do my own work. I have a huge inground pool. two levels, two connected oval shapes, and the childproof fence took so much space and is way too ugly. I found it cheaper and much more attractive to install a retractable cover over the pool. You can't fall through it! As far as liability, I believe you only have to secure the back yard, not necessarily the pool. Even an adult would need tools to cut through the cover and I think that eliminates the negligence factor. Six months of the year I don't use my pool anyway and it saves the cost of chemicals and pump filter electricity. Search for them on the net.

You don't have to spend as much as that either. You could get a heavy duty tarp made with grommets designed to fit the existing holes for a child fence if you have them, and for an average size pool cost would be maybe 2k. Even an adult couldn't fall through that but he would get wet. A child would just bounce.

[Tom523]

Yes all fence must meet state and federal laws concering fence aka The ladder law. Fence must not be more than 4" between verticals in the fence and must be at least 48" between the horizonals in fence unless the picket spacing is less. Check on line for your state as that is for FL and it is on line. Everyone should do thier homework on what is allowed and what isn't as well as on the contractor. In the above the pool contractor should have spoken up as well as a bad sales rep for the fence company and a unknowing customer, all should take part of the blame.

[Tom523]

Tarping here in FL will not pass. As long as the back yard is protected not allowing people in will pass a simple tarp will not.