By 
Many of us need fence contractor from time to time – to install a brand-new fence or replace an old one. And if you pick the right people for the job, you’l have a long-lasting, secure fence that will remain sturdy and firm many years into the future.
Sure, some of the better professionals out there will charge more than the average contractor; but at the end of the day, you’ll be happy to pay the extra cost when it’s for your fence.
Remember – a fence is often your only defense against burglars or malicious actors; it keeps your property safe from most external threats.
Plus, when you choose the right contractors, they’ll give you a fence that lasts literally decades. A fence is a pretty low-maintenance part of your property when it’s put up properly.
With that in mind, let’s look at some factors you should consider when hiring fencing contractors.
Reliability
Before considering any contractor (or group of contractors) as an option, you must be sure of their reliability. So, how do you do that? Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a 100% guarantee – just as with any other service provider, you can only be so sure that they’ll do a great job.
That being said, the best way to minimize risk is to learn as much about the service providers you want to hire as possible.
These days, that mostly means reading online reviews. A quick Google search will likely reveal dozens, if not hundreds, of positive or negative reviews of the company’s previous work for other people.
Take the time to go through all of the review websites and note any noticeable complaints that other clients have had. Then, you should also visit their Facebook page and Google Maps listing. That’s where most people leave their impressions – and in the case of Google Maps, star ratings.
After this, you’ll probably have a decent idea of how reputable the contractor is. However, even if they’re great at what they do, they may still not be precisely what you need.
That’s why you should also visit their website and see the fencing services they offer. It’s a great chance to learn more about the company’s entire process and approach to their work. You’ll also find all the contact information for further inquiries there. Plus, the website is another, albeit secondary, aspect to consider.
Creating a decent website on a platform like WordPress is easier than ever these days – and contractors who invest a tiny amount of money to get a professional-looking website are probably more professional in practice as well.
A shabby, hard-to-use, outdated website that looks like it’s from the 90s might mean you’re better off with someone else.
Workmanship Quality
Of course, a website isn’t the best way to judge a bunch of fencing contractors; after all, their forte is building fences, not website pages.
That’s why you should pay more attention to their actual work and the quality of their workmanship. How do you do that? Well, start by browsing through their website gallery and seeing some photos of the previous fences they’ve put up for clients.
If they don’t have one, that’s a red flag right there; why would they not want to showcase their work if they’re genuinely proud of it?
Besides that, the contractor might have material specifications for the stuff they use and other technical information.
If they do, download it and take a look. You may not understand it if you’re not particularly familiar with wood and other materials, but you can always Google stuff. In a few minutes, you can quickly see if the contractor actually uses high-quality materials.
Pricing
No matter how much you’re interested in a quality fence, there’s still the practical matter of pricing – especially if you’re working within the confines of a tighter budget.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you want to go for the cheapest possible contractors, as they’re usually less professional. Still, you want to have a sense of the market and know what a reasonable price is first.
To do that, we recommend contacting at least three different contractors and asking for quotes. Once you compare them, you’ll know someone is not overcharging you.
In general, giving yourself enough time to make the right decision here is as crucial for fencing as it is for any other landscaping or renovation work. Think about the qualities you’re looking for in your fencing contractor for a while, and don’t settle for the first one you contact right away.
Get a couple of other quotes, see what others offer, and find the most cost-effective solution for your budget. You want a great fence, but there’s no reason to overpay to get it. With a little patience, you’ll have your ideal fence for the ideal price.
Comments