South Florida has hundreds of fence companies and not all of them will leave you with a fence that passes inspection, survives hurricane season, and holds its appearance for years. Here are the 7 things to verify before you hire.

1. Verify the Florida Contractor License

Florida requires fence contractors to hold a state license. You can verify any contractor’s license status at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website at myfloridalicense.com. Search for the company name or license number. If a contractor can’t provide their Florida license number upfront, walk away.

Fence With Style license number: CC#26-F-00162-X verifiable at myfloridalicense.com.

2. Confirm They Pull Permits

Every legitimate fence company in South Florida pulls permits for every job. If a contractor says “you don’t need a permit” or “permits take too long we’ll skip it,” that’s a major red flag. An unpermitted fence can result in fines, forced removal, and complications when you sell your home.

Ask specifically: “Will you pull the permit in my name?” and “Can I have a copy of the permit before installation begins?”

3. Ask About Post Installation Depth and Concrete

Post installation is the single most important quality indicator for fence longevity and hurricane resistance. Ask every company: “How deep are your fence posts, and what do you use to set them?”

The correct answer in South Florida: minimum 30 to 36 inches deep, set in wet-poured concrete (not dry-tamped sand). Any answer less than 24 inches or “we use dry-tamp” is a sign of a low-quality installation.

4. Get a Written Fixed-Price Quote

Reputable fence companies provide written, itemized quotes. The quote should specify: total linear footage, fence height and style, number of gates and gate hardware specs, post size and concrete specification, permit fees (or note that permits are not included), and warranty terms. If a contractor gives you a verbal quote or a single-line estimate without details, ask for an itemized version in writing.

5. Check Google Reviews (Recency Matters)

Look at Google Reviews specifically the most recent ones. A company with 200 reviews but their last review was 2 years ago is more concerning than a company with 50 reviews from the past 6 months. Recent reviews reflect current operational quality, not historical reputation. Also read the 3-star reviews they often contain the most actionable information about where a company falls short.

6. Ask About HOA Submittal Support

If you’re in an HOA community, ask whether the company prepares and submits HOA applications. Most companies leave this to the homeowner. Fence With Style handles the complete HOA submittal process as a standard part of every installation no extra charge.

7. Verify Insurance

Ask for a current Certificate of Insurance showing general liability coverage (minimum $1 million) and workers’ compensation coverage. A contractor without workers’ comp means you could be liable if a crew member is injured on your property. Any legitimate contractor will provide this documentation without hesitation.