After getting several quotes, we chose Georgetown Fence & Deck to install an ornamental metal fence…read moreat our new home. Pricing was similar to another vendor, but Georgetown won out because they seemed better equipped to work with our restrictive HOA to navigate approval for a puppy picket fence. Their responsiveness and ability to fast-track paperwork gave us confidence--and they did deliver on that.
We wanted a rackable puppy picket design, which most companies couldn't accommodate. After some searching, Ken (the owner) located a sample panel that seemed perfect. He showed it to us in person and said he could weld a fence to of that type for a small surcharge. We signed, paid a 50% deposit, calendared a date, and believed we were set.
The very next day after paying our deposit, Ken informed us the sample panel was unavailable nationwide, with no new stock for months. Already under contract with him and having to let our dogs out on leash for a month, we reluctantly settled for his only other option: a standard rackable fence with puppy mesh. Ken did reduce the price to reflect the substitute panels, but charged full price for the puppy mesh. Given the frustration of losing out on the fence we'd waited for, comping or at least discounting the puppy mesh would have shown goodwill. Instead, we paid for something less than what we bargained for; a compromised design that's a challenge for yardwork. Our neighbors (also Ken's customers) have shared their displeasure with weed-eating their side of the puppy mesh with us on more than one occasion.
To their credit, our installation went smoothly without a hitch and on time. Georgetown uses a blend of Portland and quick-set cement so the job is done in a single day. That worked for us, though some might prefer posts to set up overnight. By mid-afternoon, our fence was in place.
Still, the end product was not without flaws. The fence looks good from a distance, but, up close, some welds are inconsistent, and a few welds are incomplete with visible holes. The gate hardware was bare minimum--no self-closing hinges, no key-locking latch. When I later asked about upgrading the gate hardware at my expense, Ken dismissed it as no longer possible and told me I didn't need it. Meanwhile, our neighbor's installer provided higher-quality hardware as standard. This was our first metal fence, and we relied heavily on Ken and his experience for guidance. In hindsight, it felt like we weren't offered the best options.
There were also issues with our sprinkler system made obvious by the fence installation. Ken hinted before the contract that he could help if our builder misplaced irrigation heads relative to the property line, which happens often. Sure enough, our builder's irrigator missed the property line on several heads. When I called, Ken's only suggestion was to "call the builder yourself." It all worked out in the end, but the help implied up front was ultimately not what we would have hoped.
After two months, rust was already showing at several welds. Nothing catastrophic, but disappointing because that means painting over the weld spots was inconsistent. I'll just touch it up myself rather than engage in another conversation. Maintenance is on me, sure, but after only three months?
In the end, Georgetown delivered a decent fence at a fair price--just not the one we contracted or the quality expected. Scheduling was quick, and installation was efficient. However, the hit-or-miss welding and paint quality, budget-grade hardware, and limited assistance on sprinkler issues left us underwhelmed. Even their HOA connections ended up moot since the fence they ultimately installed didn't require pre-approval. And while Ken did adjust our project total to reflect materials actually used when the original materials fell through, paying full price for the less desirable puppy mesh solution we never wanted left us with a bad taste.
Would I say don't use Georgetown Fence & Deck? No--they're competent, reliable, and can get the basic job done. But if you do, no matter who you go with:
1. Get written confirmation the materials you want are in stock before paying a deposit.
2. Do your research and nail down every detail up front in writing. Don't assume options will be available later.
3. Get promises in writing and in your contract.
In short, for a functional standard metal fence installed quickly at a reasonable cost Georgetown Fence & Deck is fine. Look elsewhere if you desire higher quality workmanship or more flexibility in design and feature choices.
