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Here is an article that appeared
in the Georgetown Newspaper.
Building good
neighborhoods one fence at a time
By: D. ANN
SHIFFLER
It’s up to
you to believe or not believe the old adage “good fences make good
neighbors.”
But the key
word in this adage is “good.” If you are going to put up a fence, make sure
it’s a good one.
David
Kemkaran, owner of Dave’s Fences in Georgetown,
has been building all sorts of fences for residences and businesses for
about five years.
He builds
wood privacy fences and ornamental steel fences and chain length fences. He
builds elaborate gates that homeowners open and close by remote control,
and he designs fences to encircle pools, yards and even entire ranches.
“The most
popular fences are wood privacy fences and the ornamental steel fences,”
said Mr. Kemkaran. “The black coated chain length fence has also become
popular. These fences have hit a price point between iron fencing and the
cheaper galvanized chain length.”
Most of the
fences that Mr. Kemkaran and his crews build meet set criteria set by
neighborhood associations ‘and deed restrictions. Some subdivisions require
that the ornamental steel and wood fences be built in between rock columns.
“It’s
really popular to have the iron fences lead up to a stone column,” he said.
“Most of the golf course communities require the ornamental steel fences
and the rock columns.
In the
past, most fence contractors used steel to construct fences, but now they
are mainly using ornamental steel that is coated so that it won’t rust.
‘The steel
we use is galvanized and coated,” said Mr. Kemkaran.
Most
ornamental steel fences are truly ornamental, because they don’t provide
privacy and small dogs and animals can get through them.
“We have an
ornamental steel fence that has puppy bars, said Mr. Kemkaran. “It has a
two-foot tall bar in between the pickets to keep tiny puppies in. This
style really does look good.”
For the
most part, deed restrictions or neighborhood associations determine the
style of fences. When they are able to get creative, Mr. Kemkaran helps his
customers design fences and gates that will add value to their property
often he will install a combination of fencing, including ornamental steel
and wood privacy fences.
“Some
customers have a fixed idea of what they want, or they will show you a
picture of what they want,” he said. “Others say, ‘You’re the professional.
Tell me what you would suggest.’ For these people I have created a picture
book of fences we’ve done over the years.”
Most
customers like to get creative with their gates, Mr. Kemkaran said.
“The
Texas
star is always popular” he said. “For one client, we had steel stamped
leaves built right into the gate. Each leaf symbolized one of the children
in the family”
Mr.
Kemkaran said that whatever a client can draw, he and his team can usually
build it.
Much of the
fence building in Georgetown
involves replacing rotted wooden privacy fences.
“If it is
installed poorly, a wood privacy fence will last about 10 years,” he said.
“We’re replacing some fences that were built when you put the picket in the
dirt. When this is done, ants and termites get into the wood. In a lot of
cases we’re using metal posts for a wooden fence. The fences are
straighter, and you don’t have to worry about rotting.”
The most
popular privacy fence is the shadow box fence, which allows every one who
shares the fence to get the “good side.”
The problem
with these fences where the picket goes on one side and then the other side
with a gap in between is that they are more expensive because they require
a third more pickets
Another
type of fence that is gaining in popularity is the PVC fence. Mr. Kemkaran
said they are light and they never need painting.
“We did a
big job on a ranch where they keep Longhorn cattle,” he said. “It basically
looks like a three rail wood fence, but it’s actually plastic.”
Some people
like the sustainability of concrete fences.
“When you
get into concrete, you are talking about more of a heavy construction job,”
said Mr. Kemkaran. “You need different equipment. The beams can weigh 300
to 400 pounds. It’s very pricey. You are getting into wall building
at that point.”
Often,
subdivisions that are close to freeways will use concrete fences or walls
as sound barriers.
Every
residential swimming pool in Georgetown
is required to have a fence around it, and the fence must have a spring
gate that will automatically slam shut.
Even out in
the country, swimming pool owners are supposed to have fences around their
pools. If they do not have a fence around their pool, their insurance
company can cancel their policy
For
homeowners looking to replace or install a fence, Mr. Kemkaran suggests
that they can’t get a true estimate of the cost without having the
contractor come out and look at the job and measure.
“Per foot
pricing is a myth,” he said. “People get stuck on the per foot price. But
be sure to look at the fine print. If it’s a rocky area and you’ve got to
get the rocks out, it will cost more.
“If they
hit a pipe, you have to play for the plumber. With us, if we hit pipes we
fix it.”
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