Classic Fence

I had a replacement fence installed on Sept. 23rd, 24th, and 25th. I usually don't complain and try to take things in stride, but the install was a complete train wreck....

Monday I wait until about 9:30 for someone to show up. No call, no show. I call Classic. I was asked if I got a work permit. Said, "No, you guys were supposed to get it." I paid extra for it. The person then said that the Village had not mailed it to them yet. Keep in mind this is the first I'm hearing about it -- I would think someone would have called me about it prior. They said they would call the Village and find out... wait some more. Finally, I call the Village and they said it has been ready and all someone needs to do is pick it up. Call Classic back and told them. Someone went and picked it up and the crew didn't get here until 1200.

I get a call from Classic about the lot line and the fence would have to moved in without neighbor's signature -- I think the original fence was in twelve inches anyway, and had been there almost ten years, and three other fences attach to mine. Not thinking the neighbors would be too happy if I moved it in. But at that time there was nothing I could do about getting signatures from all three of the neighbors on that day, as they were all at work. I had to have the fence up by Tuesday or lose a day's pay at work. So I said to put it wherever it needed to be... obviously it would still have to connect to the neighbor's. I thought there would be some common sense regarding obstacles.

Posts go in. They looked OK from ground level... I wake up on Tuesday and look out a top window to see (in horror), that the posts were put in through my raised bed garden. I just stood there with my mouth hanging open thinking "Who in God's name would do that?? You can't install a fence over a raised bed of landscape timbers and have six inches of timbers two and a half feet high sticking through the fence into my neighbor's side!!!!!" I'm still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that someone would do that without contacting me or the office, saying, "Gee, we might have a problem here... are you sure we should do this?" I said the fence could be moved in a little, but obviously NOT if there was an obstacle in the way. What would they have done if it was a play set, or shed? So I'm out in the yard taking pictures at 6:30 in the morning with my neighbor looking at me and the posts like I'm a complete fool. Call Classic up, and was told that they were "stymied", saying they would fix it and another crew would come out (do you think). I was told it was miscommunication. Are you kidding? Again, who would do something like that??

Another crew comes out. Classic calls the Village and ask if the fence could simply be put up where it has been for almost ten years. The Village said that was fine!! UGH!! They worked all day to get all the botched posts out and put up new ones. Did fine, but the top wasn't cut yet and had no gate.

Wednesday I had to take the day off work without pay, losing about $450 to get it finished. Was told they would be back at 8:00. I thought I still might be able to go to work late so I didn't lose so much money. They didn't show up till after noon, so I lost the whole day. Also the gate has no handle on the outside to open it... you have to reach over the fence to open it, or go through the house to the other side. It also opens opposite the way I instructed.

I sent this email to Classic and got nothing but defensive excuses.

Miserable experience!!