Bowden Fence Company
1560 Harmon Ave
ColumbusOH 43223
Bowden Fence Company |1560 Harmon AveColumbusOH43223 | (614) 272-8923

FAQs

Pre-Installation

Will I need to trim back my landscaping?

All landscaping needs to be trimmed 18" away from where the fence will be installed. Any overgrown brush, trees, and shrubs prevent our labor force from installing promptly and need to be removed before our installation.

Trimming landscape with a mower

What should I do about property lines?

Where property lines are not indicated by surface markers or stakes, no responsibility shall reside with Bowden by reason of erecting a fence on incorrect lines. If property pins cannot be located, it is recommended that the customer have the property surveyed.

Stakes in the ground showing a property line

Will I need to worry about preserving my exterior landscaping during the project?

We will do our best to not disturb any existing landscaping on the property. However, our work involves a lot equipment, material & field labor in order to erect or tear down fences and can’t guarantee that all shrubs/ flowers/ landscaping/ irrigation will not be harmed. It’s the responsibility of the homeowner or commercial contact to put up any necessary barriers to protect any existing landscaping. In addition, we’ll do our best to clean up debris caused by our work but fully anticipate stray materials left behind from time to time.

Group of flowers showing existing landscaping

Do I need to be on the property during installation?

It's our ask that all homeowners and commercial contacts be present during the first day of installation & the final day of installation to ensure all job site layouts are agreed upon and adhered to. Any lack of presence will not be the responsibility of Bowden to determine fence placement. If you are unable to be present, we'd ask for line placement to be indicated by pink or white spray paint (not orange).

Person signing a paper showing home owners

Will your team need parking access?

Please have driveways empty on the day of our installation. We are carrying a lot of material and transporting tools back and forth from our trucks, and we'd like to prevent any damage to vehicles.

Vehicle in a parking garage

Should I inform the neighbors of my upcoming installation?

To avoid installation delays, it's recommended that you approach your neighbor about an upcoming fence installation, especially if the fence borders their property as well. It's good to give ample heads-up on any potential inconvenience.

Two neighbors discussing a project

Underground Utilities

How do you go about detecting underground private lines?

Ohio Utility Protection Services (OUPS) will always be dispatched prior to any digging that we perform for the safety of our crews. However, we cannot indicate private underground lines without incurring additional expenses. Things like private sprinkler lines and electric (detached garages) are up to the homeowner to mark via flags and/or spray paint so our crews can easily identify where to avoid digging. In the event that a private line is hit accidentally, that will be at the expense of the homeowner to repair. If Bowden hits a publically marked utility line (gas, electric, and/or cable), that will be our responsibility to repair it with the utility company. The picture to the right shows a sprinkler system that was mistakenly hit. If our initial fence layout proposes that the fence be erected over major utility lines, we will suggest an alternative fence location to complete your installation in a safe manner. An additional option would be to utilize an outside vendor to perform hydro drilling, which is less invasive on the utility lines and would incur an additional charge and a change order for which the homeowner would be responsible.

Fence with underground private lines

Permitting

How do you handle the permitting process?

Bowden performs all permitting requirements necessary for fencing. In most parts of Columbus and the surrounding areas, any fences taller than 6' and/ or including barbwire would need special permitting clearance. This applies primarily to commercial jobs. We will do our best to navigate any variances to be able to install the ideal fence for your needs.

Person stamping a permit paper

What about HOA approvals?

Our customers are responsible for all HOA approvals. The reason being is that most HOAs are very responsive to the homeowners in their community and can oftentimes receive a faster response. To know if you are located within an HOA community, you can find that information on the Franklin County Auditors page.

HOA approved graphic

Scheduling

Can you perform installations during inclement weather?

We do our best to schedule efficiently with our customer's needs in mind. However, in the event of inclement weather, we'll need to adjust our scheduling to accommodate the working conditions of our crews. Therefore, Bowden reserves the right to modify or reschedule an estimated work date at any time.

People working in inclement weather

Gates

Do you install gate operators/access control?

Access control is a great way to add security & ease of accessing a property. For all gate operators, a critical component is electrical access required for every property near the gate itself. Therefore, it may cost extra if electrical access is not already available.

Gate operator with an open plug

Is there anything I should know about wood frame gates?

Wood frame gates match the existing look of the fence. However, any wood gate larger than 4' in length is not something we'd recommend on a wood frame.

Wooden frame gate

Is there anything I should know about metal frame gates?

Metal gate frames are much more likely to hold up over time by supporting the weight of a wood gate.

Metal frame gates

Do you account for gate swing direction?

A typical gate installation will be to swing "in" towards a property. The exception being any ground sloping or traffic patterns that need accounted for. Your installer will share any nuances that would impact a typical gate install and share the best solution.

Gates that are partially opening

Prevention

Will my fence accommodate small dogs and provide rodent control?

Fencing is not intended to be a solution for rodent control and/ or some breeds of small dogs or cats. We do our best to work with any pet lover's fencing needs but can't guarantee that your fence will be foolproof for keeping all rodents out, nor all dogs or cats in.

Squirrel climbing up a fence

Wood Products

Will I notice wood shrinkage and cracks?

Privacy fences are meant to provide the most concealed visibility possible. However, wood shrinkage is typical and very normal to the tune of 1/4" to 1/2". In the midwest, a typical drying cycle can take 3-6 months for the wood to fully cure being outside. Therefore, over time you may notice small gaps in the fence, and this is normal. Also, cracks in cedar and/or treated lumber are typical, and we will not warranty cracks less than 12" long.

Wood gate showing shrinkage and cracks

Will my wooden fencing have imperfections?

Cedar and treated lumber are natural products that are milled and are an imperfect material. Often, posts and planks will not be milled exactly straight, which is to be expected. Additionally, there will be expected knots and notches, which add character to every wood fence.

Imperfection details in a wooden fence

Wood Fence Styles

Dog-Eared Privacy Fences

The good neighbor rule is to face the "good side" or finished side displaying your pickets towards the exterior facing part of your property. With any dog-eared privacy fence, we install three cedar stringer backers to maintain a sturdy fence.

Wooden privacy fence in a backyard

Cap & Trim or Traditional Style Fence

Cap and trim, or traditional style fence, is another privacy fence with a more "box" like trim frame. The backers are run at the very top and bottom on both sides of the fence.

Traditional style fence with pine trees in front

Scalloped Fences

Scalloped fences provide a decorative style to your fence. The fence is built with regular-sized pickets and then trimmed down and sanded to provide a uniform design.

Scalloped style fence with trees behind

Core Drilling/Cement Maintenance

Do you provide core drilling into cement?

If core drilling is needed, concrete will be patched but not "broom finished" by Bowden. Therefore, we suggest hiring a concrete finisher once your job is installed for a finished appearance.

Drilling in cement

Post Integrity

How do you install your fence posts?

Concrete or Quickcrete will be added to every post hole that we install. Please allow 48-72 hours to allow the posts to cure thoroughly before checking their strength or shaking posts.

Metal fence posts installed in concrete

Jobsite Conditions Post Installation

Will there be excess dirt after my installation?

Posts are dug 24- 36" deep, depending on the terrain and material being installed. The dirt that is dug up to make room for the post & concrete will still remain on your property post-installation. To move dirt ourselves is extremely labor intensive and not part of our standard services unless previously discussed and included in your estimate.

Metal gate installed in the dirt

How do you go about fence leveling?

Fencing best practice is to follow the contour of the ground in order to prevent large gaps in the bottom of fences. While it may appear "uneven" at the top of the fence, our go-to installation practice will always be to follow the natural grading of a yard. Even in suburban or city plots, ground grading will be uneven and slope. The fence construction will be erected to follow the contours of the grade of the land unless otherwise specified by our customer.

White fence following the contour of the ground

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