Getting quotes for a vinyl fence? Price matters — but the contractor you choose matters more. A cheap install with the wrong materials will cost you twice. Here are six questions that screen out most bad contractors fast.
(For a full cost breakdown, see our 2026 Seattle vinyl fence pricing guide.)
1. Is it 100% virgin vinyl?
Not all vinyl is equal. Recycled vinyl gets brittle in cold winters and cracks years earlier. Ask directly: is this 100% virgin vinyl? If the contractor can't answer, walk away.
2. How do you set the posts?
Posts should be set deep in concrete — not foam, not just dirt. This is where cheap installs cut corners, and it's the number one reason fences start leaning within a few years.
3. What exactly does the warranty cover — materials and labor separately?
These are two different things. A "lifetime warranty" on materials means nothing if the labor warranty is 90 days. Get both in writing.
4. Are your installers employees or subcontractors?
Neither is automatically bad — but you should know who's actually showing up, and who's accountable if something goes wrong.
5. How do the rails connect?
A good snap-lock clip system needs no screws at all. Screws rust, work loose over time, and become the weak point of the whole fence.
6. Is there aluminum reinforcement inside the rails?
Without it, long rails sag and warp over time — no matter how good the vinyl is. This is the detail most quotes leave out.
Ask these six, compare the answers, and the right contractor usually becomes obvious.
About Smart Fencing
Smart Fencing LLC is based in Seattle, WA, with our own factory in China. We sell factory-direct vinyl and composite fencing — materials nationwide, or materials plus professional installation in the Seattle area. Get a free quote at thesmartfencing.com or leave us a message at +1 425-502-2276.