2026 marks 40 years of Fences By Doug (FBD). When you Google "fence companies near me" or "Howard County fence installation," many position themselves as the "best," "#1," or top fence contractor for their county, city, or state. But those are clickbait terms used for marketing, and that's never been FBD's style.

Growing up in this business, I saw things many customers felt but didn't see behind the scenes—at both personal and professional levels. In addition to his commitment to good ol' fashioned hard, quality work, I witnessed my dad's grit and his dedication to his customers, crews, and the relationship management I believe to be integral to FBD's success as a trusted Howard County fence contractor.

The Values That Built 40 Years

Emily and Doug Depasse, Fences By Doug FBD Founder and Owner Columbia, MD — *Young Emily, FBD Owner, and Doug, FBD Founder*

One thing about my dad that still lives on through me (and trust me, you'll learn there's a lot of Doug in Emily): his values. Notably, his strong sense of ethics and his promise to do right by his people. Both values are imperative to FBD's 40-year success and cannot exist without the other.

When I say I watched my dad "take care of his people," it's not just limited to family. I mean every relationship that makes this business function: our crew members, our trashmen, our fastener supply guys, our repairman, our surveyor, our mechanic, our vendor sales representatives.

While this business is small and family-owned, there are a lot of people who contribute to its success. From what outsiders might see as the smallest impact, my dad always made their impact known. He always made them feel like they mattered and that they made a difference, because they do.

Honoring the Past, Building the Future

Emily Depasse, Fences By Doug (FBD Fence) in front of Columbia fences — *Emily Depasse, Fences By Doug (FBD) owner in front of new and old FBD Fence signs in Columbia, MD*

Before I took over the company last year after my dad's passing, I knew there were changes I wanted to make—the logo, our customer management system, customer education, and technology shifts—but I wanted to ensure they were made in a way that preserved our values.

My dad always believed there was work for every fence company here in Howard County. He liked being small, and I see why. When I'm working with a customer and their family, I really get to know them. Their kids, their dogs, what they do for work. It's more than just selling a fence. It’s getting to know you, your family, and your needs (and maybe it’s not even a fence you need after all!).

While we can't win every job, nor do I expect to, I want customers to walk away from our interaction more knowledgeable and empowered than when we met.

Choosing a fence contractor is hard, especially if you're not familiar with the home improvement industry. You're likely spending several thousand dollars on a fence installation, and you want it done right. It can be hard to sort through the clickbait, the marketing terms, the too-good-to-be-true promises, the never-ending "discounts" (are they really discounts?), and to select a company that not only aligns with your project values but your personal values, too.

What "Best" Really Means for a Howard County Fence Company

Fences By Doug (FBD) 40th Anniversary Logo by The Branding Den

For us, "best" means educating you on the value of working with an MHIC-licensed and insured fence contractor (it's hard to believe, but some contractors find ways to work around this) and helping you spot high-pressure sales tactics. Any company creating artificial urgency ("sign today or the price goes up") isn't one you'd want to work with. If a company says, "Did you get a quote from FBD? I'll beat it," ask yourself what they're sacrificing to go lower—craftsmanship, materials, proper installation, experienced crews. The money has to be cut from somewhere.

Some companies structure their pricing so it's low on the front end, then hit you with change orders later to account for their losses. Some companies intentionally markup their prices so they can discount them to you later so you feel you're getting a great deal. Some companies are responsive through the fence installation process but are nowhere to be found if you need a repair (trust us, we come in where the other guys fall short. It happens more than you might think).

My dad always said he usually wasn't the lowest bidder and normally wasn't the highest—he landed somewhere in the middle. There's an old saying in construction: cheap, fast, or quality—pick two. You can't have all three. I take the same approach with our pricing philosophy.

Sure, labor, materials, overhead, and profit are included (as an owner, I have to make a living, too), but I've also introduced additional payment options to support customers at various economic stages. I take a human-first approach. Vulnerability is one of my superpowers, and if you and your partner or family are struggling to make it work, I'll work with you. I can't offer no-money-down like larger companies, but I can get creative and find a solution if you want to work with FBD.

What 40 Years Really Means

Doug and Emily Depasse in Fences By Doug (FBD) 30th Anniversary shirts — *Doug and Emily in FBD 30th Anniversary T-shirts*

Just ten years ago, my dad and I stood in front of our home in the custom 30th anniversary shirts I helped make to celebrate the occasion. The video you see on FBD's website was a gift from me to him to celebrate the milestone. As we enter our 40th year, there's a sense of pride, responsibility, and sorrow that my dad is no longer with us.

But 40 years of FBD means something beyond longevity. It's a celebration of the relationships built on trust and human connection. It's a Howard County community milestone. It's a reminder that small family businesses like ours are the heart of this community and can survive and thrive, despite the bigger guys. It means treating every person who contributes to each fence project—from the crew member to the homeowner—with the respect and dignity they deserve.

So when you're choosing a fence company in Howard County, I hope you'll consider what "best" really means to you. If it's a company that values people over profit margins, education over sales pressure, quality work at fair prices, and relationships over one-time transactions, then we'd be honored to earn your business.

After my dad passed, a common comment from customers was that he felt more like a friend than a company installing their fence. I hope I can cultivate the same sense of relationship, community, and trust with you, Howard County.

Here's to 40 more years of doing right by our people.

With Sincere Gratitude,
Emily (aka “Doug the Fence Guy’s” daughter)

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