Ask for three things in writing: the contractor's California licence number, proof of insurance and an itemized estimate. You can look up the licence yourself on the Contractors State License Board website, cslb.ca.gov.
Bakersfield Fence Company is licensed and insured. Ask us for the licence number and the insurance certificate with your estimate.
What should I ask a fence contractor before hiring?
- What is your CSLB licence number and classification?
- Who checks the city or county rules and pulls a permit if one is needed? Is that in the price?
- Who contacts USA North 811?
- How deep are the posts set, and are they wood or steel?
- What species and thickness of board, or which vinyl or metal product?
- Is removal and hauling of the old fence included?
- How many gates, how wide, and what hardware?
- When can you start, and how many working days will it take?
- How will the fence tie into my block wall, if there is one?
How do I check that a contractor is licensed and insured?
Search the name or number under Check a License on cslb.ca.gov. California requires a contractor licence for work of $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials. The limit rose from $500 on January 1, 2025, and the exemption for small jobs does not apply if the work needs a permit or the person has employees. Fence work falls under the C-13 Fencing classification. The CSLB record shows the bond and workers' compensation status. For liability insurance, ask for a certificate issued to you by the insurance company.
What should a fence estimate include?
Total footage, height, material and grade, post type, size and depth, every gate and its width, removal of the old fence, permits, cleanup, the payment schedule and a start date. If two estimates differ by a lot, find the item one of them does not list. The CSLB states that a home improvement project over $500 requires a written contract in California.
Should I get three quotes?
Yes for a full fence. Three bids tell you what the job is worth locally and which contractor actually measured. Compare the scope in each before you compare the totals.
What deposit is normal?
California caps it. The down payment on a home improvement contract cannot exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less, according to the CSLB (the rule is in Business and Professions Code section 7159). After the down payment, a contractor cannot collect more than the value of the work already done. Pay by check or card and keep every receipt.
The cheapest quote wants half up front and will not show insurance. Is that a problem?
Yes. Asking for half up front is over the legal down payment limit for a home improvement job in California, and refusing to show insurance is a second warning. Together they point to an unlicensed operator. If a worker is hurt or something is damaged on your property, the cost can land on you. Check the licence at cslb.ca.gov before going any further.
I paid a deposit and the contractor stopped showing up. What can I do?
Send a dated written message asking for a firm date to start or finish. If you get no answer, file a complaint with the Contractors State License Board, the state agency that licenses and disciplines contractors. Keep the contract, proof of payment and every text and email.
The crew cut my internet line or sprinkler pipe. Who pays?
It depends on whether the line was marked and what the contract says. A USA North 811 ticket covers lines owned by the utilities. Lines the owner put in, such as sprinklers, drip irrigation, pool equipment lines and low-voltage lighting, are not marked. Point them out before work starts and ask for that to be noted on the estimate.
My HOA approved the fence in writing and now wants it moved. What now?
Keep the written approval and leave the fence where it is for now. This is a dispute with the association and not a construction defect. A lawyer who handles California homeowner association matters can tell you where you stand.
Can I install a fence myself?
Yes, and a short straight run on flat ground is a reasonable weekend project. Be ready for the digging: valley soil in summer is very hard. Gates, long runs and anything tied to a pool are where owner-built fences go wrong. You still have to contact USA North 811 before digging and follow the city or county height rules.
The only way to get a real number for your property is a site visit. The estimate is free. Call (661) 475-8961 or text us a photo of the fence line.