Many locals face post-storm fence repair

Jayson Walsh, left, of Benton Fencing and Drilling, discusses repairing Carol and Clifford Marvel's back fence, who they share with their neighbors. (Marc Lutz/News-Sentinel)

Many locals face post-storm fence repair

By Marc Lutz
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 6:20 AM PST

Comments (1 comment(s))

As the storm rages outside, you sit cozy inside, waiting for the tempest to pass. Just then you hear it ... CRACK!

Was it a bolt of lightning? If only. You look outside to discover a tree branch has crushed your fence. As the string of recent national insurance commercials ask, "Now what?"

"Usually you go through homeowner's insurance," said Jayson Walsh, an estimator with Acampo-based Benton Fence and Drilling, Inc.

Since Friday's storm, the company has received well over 30 fence-related calls.

The insurance company will either request one or several quotes on getting the fence repaired, or they will send out their own representative to assess the damage themselves.

After the insurance company receives the quote, they cut the homeowner a check, which is then used to pay for repairs on the downed fence.

From that point, it's up to the homeowner to have the fence fixed.

Contact reporter Marc Lutz at marcl@lodinews.com.

Getting your fence repaired

The storm knocked your fence down. Now what do you do?
1. Obtain a copy of your homeowner's insurance policy.
2. Determine your deductible amount. Although it varies, the standard amount is generally $500.
3. Collect all the important information, such as whether the fence is shared with another homeowner.
4. Call your insurance agent to get the process moving (they may send an adjuster out).
5. Call a reputable fencing company and have them estimate the repair cost of the damaged fence. Make sure to ask what the price will be per foot. Find out the timeline to have the fence repaired.
6. Send the estimate to your insurance company.
7. Upon receiving an insurance check, hire a fence company to reconstruct your fence.
Source: Benton Fencing and Drilling, News-Sentinel staff

Repairing your fence yourself

After going through the insurance process, you decide you want to be a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to fixing your fence. How do you do it?
1. Don't skimp. Make sure not to use cheap materials.
2. Call a lumberyard. Companies like Meek's or Lowe's can sell the supplies, and in most cases are willing to give advice on what you need to do.
3. Do it right. Take your time, making sure to follow any pertinent instructions.
4. When all else fails, call a fencing company.
Source: Jayson Walsh, estimator; News-Sentinel staff.

Reader Feedback

carlos wrote on Jan 8, 2008 8:39 AM:

" We have the same type of fence as pictured. The wind blew down just 1 section of ours and it didn't break apart so we were able to put it back up. "

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