Are you thinking of buying an iron fence, gate, stairway, handrail or entry door? Please take a moment to review this Consumer Buying Guide before shopping for a contractor. If you are planning to purchase high-quality ornamental iron products, this information is essential.
Educate Yourself
As always, check the references of all contractors you plan to get proposals from. Then ask yourself this question: Do I buy based on quality, or lowest quote? This is important because pricing for the same project will vary from company to company and, there are several reasons why this may be the case.
Compare Fabrication Methods
Since there are numerous ways to fabricate and construct an iron fence or gate, try to compare apples to apples.
For example: Company "A" will be using 1-1/2-inch square tubing for the fencing horizontal runners, (this is what the iron pickets are welded to).
Company "B" however, plans to use full, 2-inch runners.
Company "C" on the other hand, doesn't specify square tubing at all. They use superior materials and (preferred) fabrication methods with 2-inch channelized iron instead.
Conclusion: Superior materials (and fabrication methods) usually cost more.
Compare Welding Practices
Whenever iron needs joining to another piece of iron, as the parts of a fence do, they will be welded by hand. Ask what kind of welds are going to be used? For ultimate strength, a full (100%) weld is best. A 100% weld means that all of the surfaces where the pieces join have a continuous weld. In effect, the two pieces become one, with no gaps, no spaces, and no holes. Not only does the full weld give maximum strength and the best appearance, it "seals" the iron keeping out water - avoiding corrosion and rust.
Compare Painting
Manual spray painting is common practice for applying color to ornamental iron. The paint may be applied before delivery, or it may be painted on your premises. The iron may have also been primed before painting, and this is slightly more desirable.
Powder coated iron however, is iron that has been thoroughly covered with powder-based paint and then baked in an oven at a temperature of 400 degrees. Powder coating is widely thought to be superior to spray painting because of it's even application and resistance to the elements.