Do BFC cedar and spruce wood fences come already stained?
No. BFC installs new untreated cedar and or spruce fencing. The choice is up to you whether
or not to stain or leave natural.
How will my cedar or spruce fence look if left untreated?
Should you decide not to stain or paint your new wood fence; it will gradually weather to a silver-gray color which blends beautifully with any landscape.
How long should I wait before staining my fence?
Typically your new wood fence comes to you raw and full of oils and moisture that need to dry out before any stain or sealer can be applied and have good adhesion. This typically takes 6 to 8 weeks unless installed in late fall when you should wait until spring of the following year.
Does BFC install their wood fence posts in concrete footings?
No. BFC does not recommend that you attach concrete footings to your wood posts. By putting concrete on your wood post, you’re creating an area just underneath the soil that allows water to gather near ground level and rot your wood post at a much faster rate than it would without the concrete footing. BFC uses a .40 ACQ pressure-treated fence post. The normal life expectancy of a pressure treated wood post without a concrete footing can be anywhere from twenty to thirty years. With a concrete footing, you decrease the life expectancy of the wood fence post by more than half and set yourself up for a very labor intensive removal should you ever need to remove the wood fence post. BFC sets and tamps our wood fence posts with the soil that came out of the original hole and set our wood posts two and one half to three feet below the ground. This is a tried and true installation method and is the way that the majority of wood fence is installed in the northeastern U.S.
Does BFC install their chain link posts in concrete footings?
NO. Only on the gate posts. Fence companies across the country now use residential drive anchors. First the posts are driven into the ground approximately two to three feet (depending on the height of the fence.) Secondly, the anchors driven into the ground (while sleeved around the post), twisted, and buried to eliminate any possibility of the fence post moving, heaving, or twisting. This is a strong and durable installation mechanism which provides you with the stability that you’d come to expect from your chain link fence.
Does BFC install their ornamental aluminum posts in concrete footings?
Yes. All Alumi-Guard ornamental aluminum fence posts are installed in concrete footings.
This is also the specified installation method described by Alumi-Guard to comply with their warranty requirements.
Does BFC install their vinyl posts in concrete footings?
Yes. BFC installs your Meridian vinyl fence to their specifications using a thick walled PVC post. They require that the post hole be dug approximately 36 inches and filled with concrete so that the post can be set in it. This provides our customer with a permanent installation for their home or business. The thick walled PVC posts are strong enough to withstand strong winds, rains, and winter conditions and allow for the expansion and contraction of the horizontal components of the fence. All gate posts are internally sleeved with a heavy aluminum
c-channel beam to insure long lasting rigidity and durability for the life of the fence.
Does BFC use cedar posts?
No. BFC only uses pressure treated wood posts for all wood fence to ensure a long lasting
sturdy installation. Cedar, while an attractive wood, does not withstand ground contact for
any extended period of time.
How long should I expect my cedar wood fence to last?
A quality cedar fence is expected to last fifteen to twenty years under normal conditions.
How long should I expect my spruce wood fence to last?
A quality spruce fence is expected to last seven to twelve years under normal conditions; however, the posts will outlast the sections by double the lifespan allowing a section only replacement after the initial lifespan is completed.
How long should I expect my chain link fence to last?
A good quality chain link fence is expected to last twenty to thirty years under normal conditions.
How long should I expect my Meridian vinyl fence to last?
Your Meridian vinyl fence will last virtually a lifetime. The only maintenance would
be to rinse the fence off occasionally with your hose.
How long should I expect my Alumi-Guard ornamental aluminum
fence to last?
Your Alumi-Guard ornamental aluminum fence will last virtually a lifetime. The only maintenance would be to rinse the fence off occasionally with your hose.
Does BFC offer a warranty on all of their fence installations?
All BFC installed fence projects are fully covered in writing for a period of two years from installation date. If your gate is not working properly, if a post is heaving, etc., we expect our customers to give us a call so that we can make time to make the necessary adjustments. We want the fence to look as good as it did the day it was installed. We have built our name on referrals and good news travels slower than bad so we have to work twice as hard to achieve 100% customer satisfaction.
Do I need to call the underground utility locators before you arrive?
No. NYS law requires that any contractor “call before they dig”. However, the customer must make us aware of any private utility such as septic, well, sprinkler lines, accessory electric and gas/propane lines so that we can take care not to disrupt those lines. BFC assumes no responsibility for any underground utilities as we cannot see through soil. We can only use extreme caution to ensure the utilities stay intact.
Do I need a permit for my fence project?
BFC has spent hours accumulating an extensive database of the municipalities in which we work and their permit requirements and codes. If your salesperson doesn’t let you know… just ask. Keep in mind that just because you don’t need a permit does not mean that you can do whatever you want. Many towns have codes pertaining to fencing that may seem unusual while not requiring a permit. While sometimes being the bearers of bad news, we feel it necessary to arm you with the facts before you buy.
Do I need a survey before I can have a fence installed?
No, but if you are unsure, you should ask your neighbors or the previous homeowner for some pointers. BFC will gladly help locate pins or plot out your land if you have a legible plot plan. Although we are not licensed surveyors, we don’t mind trying to help you save the cost of a survey whenever possible.
Does BFC carry both workers comp. and liability insurance?
Yes. BFC carries workmen’s comp. insurance on all of our employees, and we carry liability insurance for our business, trucks, and equipment. Certificates can be faxed or mailed upon request.
What should I do if my fence requires service?
It’s as simple as making a phone call. Just tell us your name, address, date of installation, and nature of your concern with the fence. We will work your warranty request into our schedule within the next five to ten days or possibly sooner.
Why should I choose BFC over all of the other fence companies
in the area?
BFC has worked diligently to create a reputation that surpasses all other capital district fence companies large or small. We have a perfect record with Better Business Bureau after more than one thousand customers to date. We are members of the American Fence Association which requires a compliance with their code of conduct. And, most of all, we care about your needs, your budget and we’ll guide you to a good sound fencing investment instead of a larger purchase beyond your needs.