Four Rail Farm Fence

We installed a four rail farm fence around the perimeter of our backyard.
*Options I considered for this project:
We considered every possible style that might work with the style of our home. There are lots of options for the tops of the posts, we considered, Dado, Gothic and Ball topped posts. We also considered a privacy fence, a scalloped edge fence and a cross rail fence. We stuck with the horizontal four rail because it is featured at the entrance to our community and works well with the casual style of our home.
*Questions and unexpected events that arose during the project:
Even though we felt we had done everything possible to avoid difficulties, we still had problems. Severals days before the scheduled installation, we got a call asking if the installation could be done earlier than planned because the company had a cancellation. I was already at work that day and could not make it home to monitor the installation. So, I reviewed the plan on the phone. I reminded them that the entry gate was to be centered in a specific area, I reminded them that my Hoa requires a specific look and to please visit the other four rail fences in my neighborhood for a visual of the correct way to install the fence.
Even so, when I got home the gate was not centered and the fence was installed back wards.
THIS IS A BIG WARNING ON FOUR RAIL FENCES~ Four rail fences were intended to keep farm animals inside the fence. So, the horizontal rails are mounted on the inside of the posts so that when an animal leans on it, the rails are not easily popped off. The posts are usually easily seen on the street side. This is not the most attractive side, so most HOA's require the posts to be on the yard side of the fence and the rails to be on the street side. It is prettier that way.
My fence company did not remember me mentioning this and did not take the time to go look at the other four rail fences in my neighborhood, so when I came home, the entire fence was installed backwards. After many frantic moments of trying to talk to a foreign speaking crew, I got the company on the phone and they agreed to re-doing it. I offered to forgo needing the gate to be centered in exchange for getting the fence redone.
I am still annoyed that my gate is not centered...really ticks me off, but I settled for a prompt response , speedy service and less than a 24 hour fix of the error.
* Cost Comments:
We painted the fence ourselves. You can get a 5 gallon can of black fence paint at Home Depot for about $120.
It is easiest to rent a paint sprayer at Home Depot or Lowes, the rental is minimal, maybe $50 for the day.
*My motivation to do this project:
To keep our pets and child in and keep other visitors out.
*Project Steps:
We googled images of fences and came up with lots of style options.We interviewed several fence companies. We did not go with the cheapest company, we went with the company that honored our business by replying to our calls promptly and by taking the time to listen to our needs. We got everything in writing. We took the time to go to the contractors office to get a feel for the stability of the company. We built a rapport with the owner. And we asked for references and asked to see a portfolio showing an existing quality of work. We intentionally stayed away from large franchises and larger companies hoping for a personal relationship and local control over customer service issues.
Advice:
Always be present for the installation. Inspect the progress as it is being done. Know who your contact person is for that day, ask that they be available should any difficulties come up with a foreign speaking crew. Do not for go what you paid for to make it easier on the company doing the work, like I did. You should get what you paid for and nothing less.
Build a rapport with the company rep. so that if you do have a problem, you will get recognized and get an immediate response.
Materials:
228 linear ft. of fence - $2800.00