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FAQs for Panorama Fence, Inc. Servicing Across Illinois 

fence company Elgin, IL

FENCE SERVICES

When hiring a fence company, most homeowners' questions fall into three categories: logistics, quality of construction, and legal/safety requirements.

Here is a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions divided by the project stage:

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1. Administrative & Legal (The "Must-Asks")

  • Are you licensed and insured?  

        -yes Panorama Fence is both licensed, Insurance and bonded.

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  • Who handles the permits? Many reputable companies will pull the permit for you (sometimes for a fee), while others expect the homeowner to handle it.

        -Panorama Fence will handle everything even the permit process.

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  • Will you call 811 for utility marking? By law, underground lines must be marked before digging. A professional company should handle this call to the utility locator service.

        -Yes by law Panorama Fence will need to call 811 before any work begins.

  • Do you offer a warranty? Ask for the difference between the manufacturer’s warranty (on the materials) and the workmanship warranty (on the installation labor).

  • Panorama Fence warranty the gates and workmanship and will honor the warranty.

 

2. Construction & Quality

  • How deep do you set the posts? -In most regions, posts should be at least 3 feet deep (or below the frost line) to prevent leaning or shifting over time.

  • Do you use concrete for every post? -We use a wet-mix concrete for stability, though some specific soil types or fence styles may vary.

  • Do you use sub-contractors or your own crew? Companies with in-house crews often have better quality control than those that outsource the labor to third parties.

         -We use in-house crews to keep a high quality.

  • How do you handle slopes or uneven ground? Ask if they will "stair-step" the panels (leaving gaps at the bottom) or "rack" the fence (following the contour of the ground for a seamless look).

 

3. Material & Maintenance

  • Which material is best for my specific goal? (e.g., "I need privacy," "I need to contain a large dog," or "I want zero maintenance.")

  • What kind of maintenance does this fence require? * Wood: Needs staining/sealing every 2–3 years.

    • Vinyl/Aluminum: Usually only requires an occasional spray with a hose.

  • What type of fasteners do you use? You should look for stainless steel or galvanized nails/screws to prevent "bleeding" or rust streaks down the fence boards.

 

4. Logistics & Timeline

  • What is the current lead time? Ask how far out they are booked and how long the actual installation will take (standard residential jobs usually take 1–3 days).

  • Do I need to be home? Most companies only need you there at the start to confirm the layout and at the end for a final walkthrough.

  • What is the payment schedule? Avoid companies that ask for 100% upfront. A standard practice is a deposit (usually 25–50%) with the balance due upon completion.

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LANDSCAPING | HARDSCAPING | SERVICES

1. Climate & Seasonal Timing

  • When is the best time to start a project in Illinois?

    • Context: Hardscaping (patios/walls) can often begin in early spring (April), but planting is usually best in late spring or early fall to avoid the mid-July heatwaves.

  • How do you handle the "Frost Line" for hardscapes?

    • Why it matters: In Northern Illinois, the frost line is roughly 3.5 to 4 feet deep. If footings for decks or heavy stone walls aren't deep enough, the winter "freeze-thaw" cycle will cause your expensive stone work to heave and crack.

  • What is included in a "Fall Cleanup" versus a "Spring Cleanup"?

    • Context: Fall cleanups in Illinois focus on leaf removal and "winterizing" perennials, while spring cleanups involve mulching, edging, and uncovering plants from snow damage.

 

2. Drainage & Local Regulations

  • Will this project require a drainage permit?

    • Context: Many Illinois municipalities (like Naperville, Elgin, or Schaumburg) have strict rules about "impermeable surfaces." If your new patio exceeds a certain square footage, you may be legally required to install a dry well or rain garden.

  • How will you ensure water doesn't drain into my neighbor's yard?

    • Context: Illinois drainage law generally prohibits "unreasonably" increasing the flow of water onto a neighboring property. Ask about French drains or regrading.

  • Do you handle the JULIE (811) call?

    • Context: This is the service that marks underground utility lines. In Illinois, it is the law to have these marked before any professional digging begins.

 

3. Plant Selection & Maintenance

  • Do you use native Illinois plants?

    • Why it matters: Native plants (like Purple Coneflower or Prairie Dropseed) have deep root systems that survive Illinois droughts and sub-zero winters better than "big box store" varieties.

  • What is your warranty on plants and trees?

    • Industry Standard: Most Illinois landscapers offer a 1-year warranty (one full growing season). Ask if the warranty is void if you don't have an irrigation system.

  • How often should my lawn be aerated?

    • Context: Because of the heavy clay soil in the Midwest, most experts recommend core aeration every fall to prevent soil compaction.

 

4. Design & Logistics

  • Can you provide a 3D rendering of the design?

    • Context: Visualizing how a new outdoor kitchen or fire pit looks against your specific house is much easier with digital modeling than a hand-drawn sketch.

  • Do you use your own crews or subcontractors?​

  • We only use sub-contractors for specialized work. the rest of the process, we use in house crews.

  • Context: In the Chicagoland area, many companies sub out the specialized work (like electrical for outdoor lighting or plumbing for gas lines). You should know who will be on your property.

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