Des Moines Steel Fence

After getting 2 estimates to fence in our back yard, we wound up hiring Des Moines Steel Fence. The prices were high (due to the product we selected), but competitive between the 2 companies. We picked DM Steel primarily for their reputation and what seemed to be a better product. We wound up being incredibly surprised by how professional and courteous their crew was. Both the estimator and head installer walked and talked us through the whole fence line, made suggestions and made sure we were all on the same page before starting any work. They completed the job in 2 days (delayed primarily due to weather) and left us with a sturdy, beautiful fence that we keep getting complimented on.

unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

The guys that came out for the installation were great, they did what they were supposed to do. There was a little confusion on the 2nd day, because it was raining in Des Moines, but was not raining here, so the guys were sent home and didn't work that day. I tried to explain that it was not raining in Winterset, but the Customer Service personnel said they would not call them installers back in. Day 3 they worked in the rain and cold but got the job complete. They did have to take an hour break in their truck due to heavy rain. All in all, the product is good, the installers did a great job, the office personal well........ They were ok to talk with depending on who you were speaking with.

unknown

unknown

I was impressed with how quickly they got it done, and everything was done as it should be.

unknown

unknown

Do not use this company! They have yet to actually complete my backyard fence and cleanup their mess. I paid top dollar for a vinyl fence in my backyard. The date the job was supposedly completed, I came home from work to a backyard full of trash from fence packaging (little plastic pieces) and drill shavings. I spent about 30 minutes picking up the pieces. They also mixed (or spilled) their cement for the fence posts in my driveway leaving dried cement patches in several spots in my driveway. In addition to the mess they left behind, 2 of the 4 caps that sit on top of the gate posts were missing. Furthermore, they decided to set one of the posts that sits up against my house so that it blocks one of my windows from opening. And last but not least, the fence has a about a 14 inch gap from the ground to the bottom of the fence that extends for about 12 feet. (It kind of defeats the purpose of buying a fence to keep the dog from running away.) When I called to discuss the issues with them, they were immediately on the defensive. The girl in the office denied that they would have made a mess in my driveway or yard without even viewing the mess or speaking to the workers. She made no apologies and advised she would send someone out to view the driveway. The next day she called and said they cleaned up the driveway but still denied it was them who created the mess. My driveway is still stained from the cement, I have a house window that won't open, and I have a giant gap on the bottom of my fence. I'd be missing two caps on a couple posts if I hadn't called about them too. Needless to say, I was pretty upset about the professionalism and worksmanship of this company. I have pictures of everything if they'd like to contest my claim. I would suggest you avoid this company like the plague!

Job went very well. Started job when they said they would, and finished within expected time span. Good crew, very accessible, handled everything professionally, and property cleaned up when they finished. Price was lowest of four estimates, and was easy to get cost of any variation we asked for after initial estimate was provided. Very easy to work with this company. Neighbors and others spoke highly of this firm as well.

They did a great job and their pricing was very fair. There were no issues with scheduling -- it was perfect. It only took them about 4 hours to do the job and I'd definitely use them again! I'd absolutely recommend them! Great job!

The weather cooperated and they were able to start earlier than quoted. Excellent work and clean up. The yard slopes down and the fence and extra wide gate are on the slope. It looks perfect. Lots of compliments from my neighbors on the fence. Office employees are very knowledgeable and helpful through out the process.

I always try to get 5 estimates for large projects. The paperwork for this contractor seemed very daunting. Reminded me of when I refinanced my mortgage. Of the 5, they were right in the middle price wise.

unknown

I almost didn't call DM Steel Fence. I see their name all over town on big projects, and thought that they either wouldn't be interested or would be the high bid. That would have been a big mistake. They responded promptly to my email inquiry via their "get a free quote online" web page, and we scheduled an on-site estimate a few days later. I was very pleasantly surprised-- they were the least expensive for the black vinyl fencing of all the quotes I'd gotten, and average for galvanized. They were the same or lower for a surveyor referral had I required one, the same for the removal of the old fence, and just a few dollars more for a tension wire, had I had one installed. They did have the longest lead time at six weeks, but that lead time *was* accurate. (In contrast, the other companies were running two to four weeks lead time, but since I didn't have them do the work, I don't know if that would have been accurate.) I wasn't in a hurry so saving several hundred dollars was a big plus. They removed the old fence and set the new posts on one day, and finished the fence the next. It looks great! In retrospect, I wish I had gone with the tension wire. I was having the old fence replaced because I foster dogs, and my last foster could leap the 42" fence easily. While they did a good job keeping the bottom of the fence close to the ground and the yard is pretty level, the bottom of a 6' fence has more give because the top rail is so high. I'm remedying the give with some stakes and fill dirt, but if I'd have seen the amount of flex before they were finished I would have had them do the tension wire. I'd recommend it to homeowners in a similar situation. I've debated for a couple weeks on this final bit: I'm docking them one star on professionalism because of the cigarette butt I found under the picnic table several days after the fence install. The evening after the final installation, my dog vomited several times during the evening, several more during the night, and a couple times the next day, which is very unlike her. My guess is that she ate a cigarette butt. I know they didn't purposely feed her a cigarette butt, and there's a chance that my dog's upset stomach had some other cause, but I wish they would have smoked in their vehicles or the street.

We called Des Moines Steel Fence Co for an estimate on a fence for our backyard. They were the third company we had give an estimate and however it was difficult at first to get ahold of them, the gentlemen arrived and was by far the most informative. Unfortunately they were both the most expensive and had the longest wait time for installation (5 weeks) but in the end it was all worth the wait. The installers arrived on a Monday and cemented the posts and were back the following morning to both start and complete the entire fence. I was extremely impressed with the workmanship of the fence (its beautiful!) and we are yet to find a flaw in it. The installers worked h****** mind you the HOTTEST day of the entire summer and I was able to sleep (I work 3rd shift) throughout the day without any interruptions.The fence we chose was a 6ft cedar privacy fence with a concave top across the rear of yard and 4ft cedar privacy with a concave top on the sides of the yard. It looks amazing! I can't stress enough how happy we are with both the end product as well as the installation. My only complaints throughout the entire process were #1 they were difficult to get ahold of initially (we called multiple times and only received an answering machine, no call back after leaving a message) and the price but quite honestly "you get what you pay for".

Called on 3/15/2012 to inquire about a fencing estimate and left a message. Did not receive a call back. Called again on 3/22/2012 and left another message. Did not receive a call back. Called a third and final time on 4/10/2012 and left a message. To date, have not received a call back. Will be going with a different fencing company.

We had a dog that didn't like dogs, and they were very careful about adjusting the gaps between the pickets for us so that he couldn't get his face through. They did a really good job, and they were fast.

I worked with Kris and Stacy during the sales process. They were helpful, professional, and submitted a competitive bid. We went with a competitor solely based on installation schedule.

They were very knowledgeable, thorough, clean and friendly. I would use them again in the future.

Did not choose the company to do the job.

We were happy with this company and would recommend them to others. The fence looks great! The only issue we had was that the installers did not do a good job cleaning up the dirt they left behind from digging the holes. They finished the job on a Friday and I cleaned up the mess and called the company on Monday. They took $60 off and said I should have called them and they would have sent the installers back out to clean up their mess. I didn't want to leave it all weekend and was happy with the resolution.