Published: Tuesday, September 28, 2004
By GLENN GRIFFITH
Business Q & A: Christopher Litchfield
– How did you get into the fence business?
I began installing fence during the summers while attending Siena College 10 years ago. After running the business for several years down south with my wife, Andrea, we decided to relocate back to upstate New York and Clifton Park. We re-opened the business this year with Seth Yates as a partner. Together, we have more than 15 years of experience selling and installing all types of fence.
– Do you do commercial and residential work?
Yes.
– How’s the market here?
Saratoga County has shown enormous growth in residential home construction and business expansion. We see this as a great environment for our business to grow. We are looking to open a showroom in the Clifton Park area within the next 12 months to display the various types of fencing we offer. We live and work in the town.
– What types of fence do you sell?
We offer a wide range of quality products to meet residential, commercial and industrial fencing needs. We sell and professionally install vinyl coated and galvanized chain link, 100 percent cedar wood fencing, ornamental aluminum and PVC (vinyl) fencing as well as ornamental steel fence. We specialize in pool enclosures, tennis courts, privacy fences, dog enclosures, Dumpster gates, custom wood fences, security gates/enclosures and all types of ball field fencing. We also install basketball hoops, arbors, tennis nets and mailbox posts.
– Do you get a lot of work from the swimming pool crowd?
Yes, because of the state and local pool codes requiring property owners to have fencing around all in-ground pools.
– Do you have your own installation crews?
We use our own full-time employees for all installations. This allows us to maintain full control over the quality of work being done. We currently employ two crews and plan on hiring a third in the spring.
– What type of wood fencing do you sell?
We primarily sell 100 percent northern white cedar fence. White cedar generally lasts 15 to 20 years as opposed to a spruce fence you find at your local lumber yard, which will generally last around five. White cedar is naturally resistant to rot and insect damage and will weather gracefully to a silvery gray when left untreated. We produce all of our wood fencing in our manufacturing facility in Broadalbin.
– How far from the immediate area will you go to put in a fence for someone?
We install, service and deliver fence and fencing materials within a 150-mile radius of Clifton Park. Through our Web site, www.sienafence.com, we can ship products throughout the country. Through our Web site, we sell additional products such as arbors, trellises, athletic equipment, mailbox posts, playhouses, play centers and wood/Adirondack furniture.
