Cedar Rapids: Fixing Your Fence After Storm Damage

If you read my previous blog, I have an update on my neighbor. I witnessed him yesterday digging out his old footings. As I strolled by on my four wheeler, he wiped his brow with a rag and gave me a thumbs up. He was soaked head to toe in sweat. Lesson learned…leave those posts attached to the footings. Over the past week, I have received a handful of customer calls and inquiries from sales staff on how to handle storm related repairs. This has promoted me to do a follow-up to my initial storm damaged fence good advice blog.

• If you can remember or identify who built your ornamental or vinyl fence; you should contact that contractor for repairs. Most vinyl and ornamental fences are unique in design and profile dimensions. Fence contractors generally align themselves with one manufacture. Fence contractors other than the one that originally built the fence may struggle to find the specific ornamental fence manufacturer or match the profile dimensions of the vinyl fence rail and pickets. This will result in longer lead times and higher costs.
• Fence contractors are very busy and the phone is ringing off the hook with home owners who want their fence repaired. Most home owners have a fence to protect their children and pets. With damaged or downed fencing, home owners cannot let their children play unattended or let their pets out in the backyard. We suggest setting an appointment with your fence contractor and informing him that you will meet him to review the work. This lets the salesman know you are serious about repairing the fence. When you meet, inquire as to a lead time for repairs and make sure this is included in your proposal. If you are agreeable to the proposal, sign it! Every day you wait, contractors’ backlogs are growing.
• Expect the unexpected. A home owner reached out to me to vent about their recently repaired fence. They sent me pictures too. Their complaint was that the new fence did not match the old wood fence. The old cedar fence was aged and greyed. The home owner expected the company to either use reclaimed wood or aged materials to match. If you are repairing your old fence; you should expect a variation in color, sheen, and shape.
• Temporarily move or protect valuable yard ornamentals or plantings. Contractors need access to your fence. The ground around the fence is going to be unearthed. There will be some wear and tear on your yard where contractors are moving back and forth. Temporarily move or replant any flowers or plants that you don’t want disturbed. You can also cover popping spring bulbs, flowers, etc. One home owner used laundry baskets to cover her tulips.

American Fence Company has been repairing and replacing storm damaged fence for over fifty years. We recognize we are building not only fences, but relationships. We want to make this a positive experience for you.