After receiving three different estimates for an 8 ft., #1 western red cedar fence, we had chosen to use a local, well-known fence contractor. This contractor does not stain the fence, but we knew a staining contractor. He recommended that we get an estimate from his sub-contractor (Sean Holland). He forwarded the estimate to Mr. Holland to see if he would match our estimate. The estimate that was forwarded to Mr. Holland was for "132 ft. of 8 ft. cedar #1 Board-on-Board (1x4 and 1x2 trim), steel posts 3 ft. in the ground, 2 x 6 baseboards at the bottom, 1 walk gate (arched, window insert, corbels), tear out and haul off old fence for a cost of $5,544." On May 12, 2015, we received an estimate from MakeMeAFence.com for an "8 ft. tall western red cedar fence, 1x6x8 pickets, 2x4 cedar rails, 1x4 trim, 1x2 cedar trim, steel posts 3 ft. in the ground and 6 ft. apart, custom arched walk gate with metal decor insert and 2 corbels, tear down and dispose of fence for a cost of $5,105." Since Mr. Holland agreed to match the original estimate, we agreed to let him build the fence because he came in cheaper with his bid, and his website said there was a five year warranty - satisfaction guaranteed. We experienced delay after delay in starting the project. Contractor showed didn't show up when they were scheduled and showed up when they weren't expected. On June 23, 2015, the crew just showed up at our house unexpectedly to start tearing down the old fence. Mr. Holland showed up at our home and introduced himself to us. This was the first time that we had officially met him and or had any communication directly with him. All of our communication prior to this was made through the staining contractor. On Wednesday afternoon, June 24th, Mr. Holland called to say the fence was done and asked when I would be home so he could be paid. I told him I would be home later (early evening). He said he needed to get back to Arlington and asked if he could come by where I was working to pick up the check for payment. He said he really needed to get paid the money so he could do his next job. I contacted our contractor, and he said to just go ahead and pay Mr. Holland directly. I wrote him a check for $5,505. He said he did not have a receipt for me, but I told him that I had the canceled check. When I got home, I was so taken back with the over-all quality of construction of the fence. I spoke to Mr. Holland and told him we could not get the gate open without hitting or kicking the gate. They left nails sticking out on the inside of the fence. There were saw cuts in several of the pickets. Pickets were bowed and there were gaps between the pickets. There were many other issues. He commented that his crew had told someone here at the house that they were done and asked if it looked okay and they were told yes. I advised him that they were talking to a clueless sixteen year old that had no idea what was going on. Mr. Holland alleges that "this client was misinformed by another competitor fence company who told her #1 & #2 cedar pickets DO NOT have knots in them. We provided evidence supporting that they DO ACTUALLY have knot holes and only CLEAR Western Red Cedar has no holes, but is much more expensive. This was all explained verbally before we finalized the sale." This is absolutely, unequivocally not true. There was no contact with anyone other than the staining contractor until Mr. Holland showed up in our front yard and introduced himself to me on June 23rd. The competing contractor who Mr. Holland speaks of as "one of the fence companies who was initially bidding against us," was the contractor whose estimate he was supposed to match, and they never "said he did not use cedar pickets." They said that it was their opinion that the fence was not #1 or #2 grade cedar pickets. Grade #1 and grade #2 both can have knots, but they are limited in number and limited in size. The knots are supposed to be solid and tight. My information and understanding is based off all my research on the different types and grades of wood and the characteristics of the different grades of western red cedar before we ever started getting estimates. This fence did not appear to meet the standards for #1 (or #2) western red cedar, so I talked to at least a half a dozen contractors, three different fence supply companies, and numerous other individuals who said the pickets did not look like #1 or #2 quality. I called western red cedar wood manufacturers who set the industry standards for grading western red cedar. There is plenty of information available to anyone who is interested in educating themselves. On July 7, 2015, Mr. Holland told me via text message that he had used #2 grade cedar. I told him we thought he was matching the estimate we provided which was #1 grade cedar, to which he never responded. I informed him that there were many issues that needed to be addressed. Mr. Holland agreed to come out and meet with us on July 8th. Three days of cancel read more