HawthorneVillager.com

I've noticed quite a few of this company signs around Phase 13 (I think)...
I was wondering if anyone could let me know about their experiences with Regency Fences and Decks have been.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!

We're using them, basically because they've already signed contracts with all our neighbours, so out of default we went with them.

But so far I'm not that impressed with their service. Been waiting for them to drop off some pictures of what our finished fince will look like for a week now, and they keep on either forgetting and/or ignoring us. Seems that they're very busy, they've signed up a lot of houses in Hawthorne Village for fences already.

We were originally planning on going with Picket Fence (Frank)

Regency says if that were to happen they'd have the fences moved and redone for free. Granted that was just a verbal promise of Peter's (wasn't in writting) but I'd still expect him to keep it in the eventuality that this was ever to occur.

Pictures of what's supposed to be p/treated wood, 4" x 4" posts, 5ft boards, rails 2" x 4", Trim is Lattice and the pattern is "uhrlich". This is Regency, they're charging us $13 per foot (half the price, since we're sharing the full $26 per foot with our neighbours). Plus $150 per gate.

Below are pictures I took of Regency work they recently did. I was trying to get pictures from Regency earlier, but today when I called they said they had just finished some work close by so they gave me the address so I could take my own pictures.

Looks ok to me. Although I've seen nicer lattice before. There seems to be rust around the nail/staples in the lattice? It's hard to see in the pictures, or at least I think it's rust? I could be wrong. Will that get worse over time? I'm going to paint/stain over it anyways so I'm assuming it will be fine.

They should come by early next week to do ours. We plan to stain or paint it later. There's some glare from the sun in the second picture. I took these with my new Sony Ericsson z710i cell phone

I've done sone research and just want to pass on a few things I've learnt.

We are phase 12 and the grading hasn't been done BUT if you have no standing water or ground sinking you are fine. When I called the city and Mattamy they gave us the same answer as LAST year - "Phase 11 will be finished this year and they hope to start phase 12 in the fall" It's been over 2 years now!!!
Even if there is a problem they come in with wheel barrows/shovels and not machines.

Now on to fences. Some items that you should be aware of:

If you can make sure there's no deposit and if there is make sure you post date the cheque to when they bring the materials and start working.
There should be no re-survey cost. The survey you have will do fine. You can remeasure yourself.
The 1-800-400-2255 is the number for call before you dig. There is also a website: http://www.on1call.com/
Have the contractor call. If you call yourself, your name is on the ticket and if they hit something you are liable!!
Talk to your neighbours and agree on fence style or type and length.

I have had 3 quotes last year and Picket Fence was the best for a number of reasons. He had pictures with him, remeasured the lot and gave me a quote on the spot and just wanted to make sure I was happy. The utilities have been marked and they have already started with the posts on Friday and none of us have given any deposit! If the weather stays this like this I see the fences completed this week or next week the lastest.


Regency came by and I found they were more expensive for the same work and they had extra costs (re-survey)- maybe it's because those signs are expensive!
They are Toronto based and Picket Fence lives and works in Milton.

Any questions you may have just PM me.

Thanks,
Joe

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Mary-Anne & Joe

We're using Creative fencing on our street. They're cheaper than Regency, and thought that George is a more customer friendly guy. Didn't get as good of an impression of Peter at Regency.

I think the cost is cheaper at Creative Fencing as well.

Anybody on Meighen Way that's backing on to Christie Circle, there's a meeting today(Mon April 23) in our backyards at 8:00pm to look at pictures, sign contracts, give deposit cheques etc. and meet George.

Dan

Rick,

The staples will rust over time. It happened to the dog gate I made for our deck last year. It has rusted on one side. If you do clear coat the fence and lattice keep in mind you will need to do this every few years. Also if you stain your fence some of it may go through the knots in the wood causing it to show up on your neighbours side.

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Mary-Anne & Joe

We are in the process of finding someone to do our fences and we had Danny from Security Fence come out. His prices are a few dollars cheaper per foot than Regency and the gate is cheaper too. I will still call around to get at least 3-4 quotes but so far i am happy with Security Fence. He lives in Milton too!

This morning it's raining slightly, and Regency is putting in the fence posts, and then the concrete around the posts.

Is there any concern or negative aspects of doing this when it's slightly raining?

One my neighbours said they had a bad experience many years ago at a previuos house when this was done in the rain, due to the extra rain water affecting the wet concrete in a negative way.

The Regency fence person here today says this is not a worry, that they compensate for any rain/water, and that they give a guarantee/warrentee with the fence. That there would be no worries for them putting in the posts today.

Me being totally ignorant on the technical aspects, I'm trusting the warrenty/guarantee of the fence contractor. But just wanted to ask if anyone else who has technical / experienced knowledge on fence building in regards to the posts, would have any big concerns about the contractor doing the work on a day that has some rainfall?

I think the more wet it is, the longer it will take to cure and harden. Since it is clay down there I do not think any of the cement ingrediants will soak away. You can always cover the top with cardboard or something. I set posts once and used the cement bags for that since they have a bit of weight to them

Matt

Anyone have the phone number for regency by any chance?

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Springridge

416-226-3557, sales person who we've been working with is Peter.

From what I have heard from neighbours who have used them, they were not pleased. I've talked to Peter and know what you mean.

With our Fence guy:

We did not sign a contract
We did not give any deposit
We did not need another survey done
They finished fences for 6 houses in a week.

Don't let the neighbours push you into any contracts. If they really wnated to use Regency they could fork your 1/3 deposit and theirs!

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Mary-Anne & Joe

One neighbour entrapped our entire street with Regency, and I do not recommend them at all. They left a mess in my yard and in front of my driveway, and didn't fill the posts with enough concrete when I asked them to write it down on the contract.

The worst thing was not letting the houses around us know they were going to run our water and use our electricity to cut wood. It's not a matter of being cheap, it's a matter of being respectful to at least ask homeowners if they can run the water or plug into our outlets, and then adjust the final cost accordingly.

A very nice sales guy, and probably has the best warranty, but many neighbours have had little issues whereby they are not quick to address. I regret not getting Picket Fences more involved.

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What is the difference between ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care.

Glad I didn't go with them, picket fence was AWSOME for me and none of the hassels listed above.