1. Start with the fence you want
Not every fence company installs every type. In this directory, 45% of companies say on their own website that they install wood, 44% vinyl, 40% aluminum, 42% chain link and 24% wrought iron or steel. Pick the material first, then call the companies that confirm it. On every town page you can tap a fence type to narrow the list.
2. Check that they work in your town
Fence companies drive to the job, but most stay within a set area. Each town page lists the companies based there first, then nearby ones with their distance. Ask on the first call whether they have built fences in your town and know its permit rules. Height limits differ a lot from town to town. See fence permit rules by city.
3. Read the reviews, not just the stars
A 4.8 from 300 reviews tells you more than a 5.0 from 4. Read a few recent reviews and look for the things that matter on a fence job: did they show up when they said, was the line straight, did they clean up, and how did they handle a problem.
4. Get it in writing
Under the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, a fence job over $1,000 at a home needs a written contract you sign before work starts. It must list the total cost with materials, any charge for the estimate, and the company's business name and address. The company must also give you the state pamphlet "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights". More on the contract rule
5. Ask about insurance
Illinois requires home repair companies to carry liability and property damage insurance unless they have a net worth of at least $1,000,000, but nobody checks it for you. Ask for a certificate of insurance. Illinois does not license general contractors, so a "licensed" claim usually means a local registration. Ask which town or county it is with.
6. Be careful with deposits
The Attorney General's advice: never pay in cash or by Venmo or Zelle, and never pay in full until the work is done to your satisfaction. There is no legal deposit limit in Illinois, so agree on the schedule in the contract. Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door offering a deal.
7. Plan for the season
Searches for fence companies in Illinois peak from January through April, when people book for spring. Calling in winter usually means more choice of start dates.
Questions to ask every fence company
Ask each company the same questions and write the answers down. Then compare.
- Do you install the fence type I want (wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain link, iron)?
- Have you worked in my town, and will you pull the fence permit?
- Who calls JULIE before digging, you or me?
- How deep do you set the posts, and in what?
- Can I see a certificate of your liability insurance?
- Is the estimate free? Is it in writing, with materials listed?
- How much is the deposit, and when is the rest due?
- What does your warranty cover, and for how long? Is it in writing?
- Will your own crew do the work, or a subcontractor?
- Who checks where my property line is? Do I need a survey?
- What happens to old fence and dirt from the post holes?
- When could you start, and how will you tell me if that changes?
From Illinois Fence Contractors, fencecontractorsillinois.com. Find fence companies by town, with ratings and phone numbers.