Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of fences do you sell?
Helena Fence Co. sells fencing of all kinds! Our most popular material options are chain link, wood, vinyl, and ornamental, but we also offer:
- Pet Fence
- Garden Fence
- Gated Community Fence
- Automatic Gate
- Picket Fence
- Privacy Fence
- Split Rail Fence
- Temporary Fence
If you don’t see the fence you’re looking for, reach out to us! We would love to help you out.
How much maintenance do fences require?
Chain link fences, ornamental fences, and vinyl fences are relatively maintenance free. Use your hose to wash off any minor spots or stains. A wood fence requires staining periodically.
How long will the fence last?
The type of fencing you choose will determine the lifespan of your fence. Chain link, ornamental, and vinyl should last virtually a lifetime. Wood fences generally lasts 12-15 years.
How much does a vinyl fence cost compared to a wood fence?
The price is comparable. A vinyl fence costs more but does not require the routine maintenance and care that a wood fence does, so the cost evens out over time.
Will my fence rust, fade, peel, or chip?
It’s natural for fences to deteriorate over time with their exposure to the elements, however chain link fences and ornamental fences should not rust, fade, peel, or chip.
Am I responsible for clearing my fence line?
Yes, it needs to be completed prior to the arrival of our crew. This includes tree/shrub/stump removal and moving of any other objects within 2’ on either side of the future fence line. We suggest calling a tree trimming service for this.
What should I do about HOA fence requirements and covenants?
You will want to make sure you have secured approval from your HOA if required and the county if there are special covenants.
If you have a cancellation, can I move ahead in the installation schedule?
We install fences based on the date of your deposit. If someone cancels, everyone moves forward in the schedule.
Do you offer financing?
Due to the present-day high-interest rates, we find that customers are better off going to their local bank for a loan.
Do you accept credit cards?
We do; however, we do charge a 3.5% processing fee.
Do you call utility locate services?
Since we are required by law to have this any time we dig, we call and schedule utility locate services, however you are still responsible for secondary utilities.
Who has the private/secondary utilities marked?
It is your, the owner’s, responsibility to have any private, underground utilities marked including sewer, drain field, septic lines, water/well lines, propane gas, or privately installed electricity to outbuildings, garages, etc.
What if my yard is already landscaped? Do you locate sprinkler lines? What are secondary utilities?
No, unlike utility lines, there are no means of locating sprinkler lines. We do not have ground-penetrating radar, therefor we are unable to locate any underground obstructions. While we do our best to avoid sprinklers in some cases, they run right under the fence line and can be damaged in the digging process. If a line is hit, it is the customer’s responsibility to get it fixed.
How long does a wood fence last?
Since we use steel lifetime posts, a wood fence can now be expected to last up to 30 years, possibly more with regular staining.
How close to the property line can you build my fence?
The fence can be on the property line, but we recommend going three inches inside of the property line. Some HOA’s and subdivisions have specific setbacks, these need to be verified by the Homeowner before the fence is installed.
Do fence posts need to be in concrete?
Vinyl, aluminum, and wood fence posts are set in concrete. With advances in technology, we can pound some of our chain link fences so some of them won’t need to be set in concrete, which is something you can talk to the salesman about.
Do vinyl fences break easily?
All vinyl fences are not the same. Professional grade vinyl fences installed by Helena Fence Co. are top quality vinyl with a lifetime warranty through the manufacturer except for damage, misuse, or winds exceeding 55mph.
Where is a fence installed when trees are on the property line?
When the property line is obstructed by trees or other vegetation, the fence must be installed on the property owner’s side of the trees unless obstructions are removed.
Can the fence be attached to my house or deck?
No, we always mount your fence to a post because we know how it will perform. Attaching to your house or deck will have a less predictable outcome, and may cause problems with your house or deck.
How do I "tie into" my neighbors fence?
In most cases we are able to tie into your neighbor’s fence with permission, please ask your neighbor prior to the crew arriving.
Can you bury welded wire under my fence line so my dog doesn't get out?
No, this is not a service we offer currently.
Do you do fence repairs?
If we installed your fence, we can get you on the repair list whether it is under warranty or not. Due to our short Montana summers, we do prioritize new installs, so repairs are done in our slow season. If we did not install your fence, we determine whether we can handle your repair depending on our current workload. All non-warranty repairs have a minimum fee, once the minimum is reached, we switch to time and materials.
How long does it take to install a fence?
If your fence requires concrete, it usually takes 5-10 business days from start to completion.
What if my gate doesnt close correctly?
We warranty our work for a year so please call us as soon as this starts to happen. It is normal for gates to settle and require one or two adjustments.
What is an obstruction charge?
This is a charge per hole for exceptionally hard digging due to any impassable obstruction. This charge is typically $75 for each post hole that requires a jackhammer. This can be anything from an old buried concrete slab to a massive tree root, large rocks, or buried junk.
I think the soil on my property may be rock and hard to dig, will you still be able to do it?
Certain areas are worse than others, if we know your area is particularly rocky, an above-ground fence may be the only option. If our machinery is unable to dig due to rocky soil and we must use a jackhammer to dig our post holes, a rock charge will apply.
There are a lot of roots where my future fence will be. Do I need to get them removed?
Smaller roots aren’t usually a problem, but occasionally an obstruction charge may be applied if we must jackhammer the post holes.
Do I need to get my property surveyed before my fence is installed?
If you have any questions about where the property lines are we recommend a survey. We make every effort to ensure we are on or in the property line, but in some cases property pins are missing or hard to find.
Do I need to get a fence permit?
A permit may be required for fences over a certain height in city limits. We can provide all the necessary paperwork for fences inside Helena City Limits.
Can you get my permit for me?
We leave the permit process to the homeowner; we are happy to help you get pointed in the right direction though!
Why can't I have a specific installation date as soon as I order my fence?
We don’t install fences in extreme weather or when the ground is frozen, so the weather has a huge effect on our schedule, making it impossible to predict several weeks in advance exactly where your installation date will fall, although we try and get as close as possible. Feel free to call or email the office with any questions!
Can my fence be installed so that there is no gap between the fence and the ground?
Your fence can be installed as close as possible to the ground, but this will affect the look of your fence, preventing a smoothly flowing fence line. It is best to strike a balance between closeness to the ground and the look of the overall installation, then fill in gaps with soil or stone after your installation is complete.