A Legacy of Craftsmanship, Community, and Innovation

Founder Dan Hickey grew up around craftsmanship. His grandfather owned a hardware store, and his father worked there – handling everything from plumbing to fencing. During college, Dan began installing fences himself during summer breaks. Though he went on to earn a teaching degree and serve three years in the U.S. Army in Germany, Dan always returned to the hardware store and the hands-on work he loved.

After a few years teaching math, Dan followed his father’s advice to blend his practical skills with his technical mindset. He took the lead in the fence department at ACE Hardware, where he noticed a growing problem: the lack of safe, reliable fencing options for homes with swimming pools. Dan began experimenting with fence gates and auto-latch systems – eventually manufacturing them locally in Grand Rapids. That innovation took him to a national tradeshow, where he promoted the latch design and opened new doors in the fencing world.

Soon after, Dan stepped away from the hardware store to work full time at DAC Industries, continuing to develop and distribute fence hardware. However, when people began requesting fence installations directly from him, Fence Consultants of West Michigan was born in 1988. Since then, we’ve grown from a one-man operation to a leading fence company, serving homeowners and businesses across West Michigan.

Growth Rooted in Family and Community

What began as a small operation quickly grew. Dan’s daughters and family helped in the early days – assembling parts and supporting behind the scenes. Over time, Fence Consultants expanded into its own facility and opened additional branches in Holland and Kalamazoo to better serve West Michigan.

Through the years, we’ve built more than fences – we’ve built trust in the community. Whether we’re installing a backyard fence for a first-time homeowner or securing public spaces, our team approaches every project with excellence, professionalism, and personal care.

Community Involvement

From the very beginning, we’ve believed in giving back to the neighborhoods that have supported our growth. Over the years, we’ve been honored to sponsor and participate in events and organizations that bring people together and make a difference locally. Some of these include:

• Amway River Bank Run
• Brews on the Green
• Holland Tulip Time Festival
• Grand Rapids Ball Drop
• Local school Thanksgiving program events
• LPGA Meijer Classic

   

When you choose Fence Consultants, you choose a company committed to enriching our community.