For Arbor Fence reputation is everything, according to Director of Operations Sasha Mariolo. Since 1987, Arbor Fence has steadfastly built their reputation by going the extra mile on behalf of every customer, every time.

What does that mean? For the team at Arbor Fence, quality workmanship and customer service are matters of deep personal pride. It’s an attitude cultivated by owner Ron Wooden, a 20-year veteran of the fencing business, who purchased a one-person fencing company in 1990 and built it into a successful business with 10 trucks and 23 employees. Yet the company is still personal enough to allow Mr. Wooden to stay involved with every job from the outset, seeing each one through to completion.

Arbor Fence installs a wide variety of fences, gates and decks, including wood, vinyl, chain link, ornamental steel, field wire, split rail, composite and 99% recycled fencing. They serve residential and commercial properties, ranches, farms and governmental facilities.

Loyalty is a theme at Arbor Fence. Mr. Wooden’s crew considers themselves a family, and most of their employees have been with the company 15 years or more.

Arbor Fence’s employees are homeowners as well, so they understand the importance and potential issues of undertaking home improvement projects. They minimize worry for customers by keeping projects on schedule, trouble-free and pleasant. They also remain flexible enough to accommodate any changes or modifications in the work or schedule, even after the project is underway.

Unlike most fence contractors, Arbor Fence has a full-time office staff available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. When you need them, you can pick up the phone and call–and they answer.

Most important, the crew at Arbor Fence refuses to compromise quality at any cost. Mrs. Mariolo explains that every fence is built to last 15 years or more.

Arbor Fence managers attend national fence shows annually to review and analyze products currently on the market. Even their vendors are subject to constant reevaluation, and only the highest quality vendors and products make the grade.

There’s a right way and wrong way to install a fence. Your installer should know the difference. There are standards for installing fences that the best fencing companies live by—and others are often content to ignore.

Perhaps most important is the manner in which fence posts are set into the ground. Many companies pour dry cement into the posthole and add water with a hose. According to Genevieve Van Bebber, Vice President of Arbor Fence, this technique is called dry packing and it causes the cement to dry in chunks rather than a solid mass. As moisture saturates the soil, particularly in winter, the cement loosens. Posts set in this manner start to lean much sooner than solidly anchored posts, often in just a few years.

Ideally, concrete should be mixed beforehand and poured into the posthole. The concrete then sets into a solid slug that should hold the fence post vertical for years— —and even decades, no matter the condition of the soil.

Mrs. Van Bebber also suggests choosing a fence-builder who uses galvanized, rim-shaped nails. The alternative non-galvanized nails and staples rust and cause telltale black “runs” down the fence planks. These runs are often visible, even on newer fences. Moreover, explains Mrs. Van Bebber, proper galvanized nails are shanked along the shaft, almost like screws. The shanks prevent the nails from lifting and backing out of the wood, thus creating a better-looking fence that lasts longer.

Additionally, Mrs. Van Bebber recommends always using posts and kickboards of the highest quality, which is an ACQ pressure-treated Douglas Fir material. This material is a harder, denser wood that better withstands all elements and extends the longevity of your fence.

Q: There are so many choices in fencing. How do I go about picking one?

A: “If you have even a vague idea, share it with us. We’ll show you everything that fits your vision. It’s helpful that we have such a wide variety of materials and fences available. Ron Wooden, the owner, can show you custom photo albums filled with examples of our past work. Odds are you’ll see something you like. You can also come to the office and see actual fence samples installed in our yard.”

Q: What if I commit to a certain fence product, but then decide I want something else?

A: “We’ll give you all the time you need. We’ll sit with you and help you work it out. We believe in personal, focused attention.”

Q: Will my property be a mess while you’re there?

A: “We’re very picky about how we treat our customers’ property. If we’re replacing an old fence, we’ll remove it in pieces, as necessary, and stack it neatly where it creates the least inconvenience. We haul debris away every day.”

Q: I’m worried about the trees and plants that are on my property.

A: “We’re very careful. If any plants need to be cut back, we’ll let you know what and why. That’s why the owner, Ron Wooden, shows up personally before our crews start working. He’ll go over all those issues with you—where the fence will go, and how it affects your flowers and your plants. You can ask all those questions and get answers up front.”

Q: Can I build my fence myself?

A: “You can. In light of recent economic conditions, many people are choosing that option. You need to know the fundamentals of fence construction in order to build a fence that will last, with good esthetics. If you decide to build your new fence yourself, we can provide professional-grade materials you can’t buy at Home Depot or Lowe’s. For most homeowners, it’s easier and more cost-effective to hire a professional fence contractor to do the work. You’ll find our prices are very affordable.”