The Two Warranties Every Fence Has
When a fence company says "warranty," they're usually talking about one of two different things — and you want both:
- Workmanship warranty — from the installer. Covers defects in how the fence was built: posts that lean, gates that sag, rails that pull loose, sections that fail because of poor installation. This is the warranty that actually protects you from a bad build.
- Manufacturer (material) warranty — from the company that made the fence materials. Covers defects in the product itself: vinyl that cracks or peels, iron coatings that fail prematurely, hardware that breaks under normal use.
The workmanship warranty is the one most homeowners get burned on. Materials rarely fail on their own — installation is where fences go wrong. A fence built right on quality materials lasts decades; the same materials installed poorly fail in years. Judge an installer by their workmanship warranty first.
What Our 5-Year Workmanship Warranty Covers
Every fence installed by Fence Near Me Omaha is backed by a 5-year workmanship warranty. That covers installation defects like leaning or shifting posts, gates that sag or won't latch because of how they were hung, rails and pickets coming loose from the build, and any structural failure caused by our installation. If something we built fails because of how we built it, we make it right — within the first five years, at no charge to you.
One year is the industry minimum; 3–5 years is what a company that trusts its own work offers. When you're comparing quotes (see our guide to hiring a fence contractor), ask every bidder for their warranty length in writing. A low price with no warranty behind it isn't a deal — it's a gamble.
Manufacturer Warranties by Material
| Material | Typical Manufacturer Warranty | Real-World Lifespan in Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | Limited lifetime against defects, cracking, peeling | 25–30+ years |
| Ornamental iron | 10–20 years on powder-coat finish (varies by maker) | 20–30+ years |
| Cedar | Limited or none — it's a natural product | 15–20+ years with staining |
| Chain link (galvanized) | Varies by coating class | 15–25 years |
Notice what the table doesn't say: no manufacturer warranty covers bad installation. If your vinyl panels are perfect but the posts weren't set deep enough for Nebraska frost, that's a workmanship problem — and only a workmanship warranty protects you. This is also why vinyl from $36/ft and iron from $36–$37/ft are such strong long-term values: the materials themselves are covered for decades.
7 Warranty Questions to Ask Before You Hire
- How long is your workmanship warranty? (Look for 3–5 years minimum. We offer 5.)
- What exactly does it cover? Get specifics — posts, gates, rails — not just "everything."
- What voids it? Every warranty has exclusions. They should be able to name them.
- Is it in writing? A verbal promise isn't a warranty. Get the terms with your quote or contract.
- Who do I call if something fails? You want a real phone number — (402) 968-4331 — not a ticket portal.
- Do you pass through manufacturer warranties? On vinyl and iron, the material warranty should come to you, not stay with the installer.
- Is the company established enough to honor it? A 5-year warranty from a company that's been around 6 months is a hope, not a plan. Ask how long they've been installing in the area.
What Voids a Fence Warranty
No warranty covers everything. The common exclusions, for ours and everyone else's:
- Storm, flood, and vehicle damage. Nebraska windstorms and hail are acts of nature, not installation defects. (Your homeowner's insurance usually covers these.)
- Grade or drainage changes. If you regrade the yard, pile soil against the fence, or redirect a downspout at the posts, rot and leaning that follow aren't the installer's fault.
- Someone else's modifications or repairs. Having another handyman re-hang a gate or add sections can void the original warranty on that work.
- Skipped maintenance on wood. A cedar fence that never gets stained will gray and weather — that's maintenance, not a defect. (Vinyl and iron don't have this issue.)
- Normal wear. Fading, minor weathering, and hardware settling over years are expected, not defects.
What does not void a real warranty: normal Nebraska weather. Snow, freeze-thaw, summer heat, and wind are the conditions the fence was built for. If your fence leans in year two under normal weather, that's a workmanship issue — and it's covered.
A Fence Backed for 5 Years — Free Quote
Get an exact price for your yard plus a written 5-year workmanship warranty. Free quotes, no deposit, and a crew with 50 years of combined experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is covered by a fence workmanship warranty?
A workmanship warranty covers installation defects: leaning posts, failing gates, loose rails, and other problems caused by how the fence was built. Fence Near Me Omaha backs every install with a 5-year workmanship warranty covering exactly these issues.
How long should a fence installer's warranty be?
Look for at least 3 to 5 years of workmanship coverage from the installer, plus the manufacturer's material warranty. One year is the industry minimum — a company confident in its work offers more. We offer 5 years.
Do vinyl fences have a manufacturer warranty?
Yes — most quality vinyl fence manufacturers offer limited lifetime warranties against defects, cracking, peeling, and excessive fading. This is a material warranty from the manufacturer, separate from the installer's workmanship warranty.
What voids a fence warranty?
Storm and vehicle damage, soil or grade changes around the posts, unauthorized modifications or repairs by someone else, and for wood fences, failing to maintain the finish. Normal Nebraska weather does not void a real workmanship warranty.
Should I get my fence warranty in writing?
Always. A warranty that exists only in a salesman's promise is worthless if the company won't stand behind it. Get the warranty terms — length, coverage, and exclusions — in writing before the job starts.
Why Choose Fence Near Me Omaha
We are a local Omaha-area fence company — our crew brings 50 years of combined fence installation experience to every job.