Deciding to put up a fence around your yard, home or other property is a great decision. A fence adds protection to your space, keeps your family and pets safe and gives an air of luxury and security to your home. A well-built fence also adds a feeling of privacy to your property and protects the lawn and garden from unwanted visitors and intrusions.
Fence companies offer different services at different prices and it’s up to you to choose the right one for the job. From commercial installations to small jobs, fence companies cover a huge range of projects and, unfortunately, it’s no secret that standards vary to quite a degree from one fence company to the next. Fence companies have varying levels of experience and some are more adept at different types of installations than others.
So, how do you choose from your local fence companies to find the best one for your needs? There are a number of things you need to consider, different factors you need to weigh up and you need to take an in-depth look at the type of fence you have in mind before coming to decision on which fence companies you might consider.
Think about the following questions and if in doubt, ask each of the fence companies for their answers. You will very quickly weed out the good from the bad and find a great contractor who will be able to deliver what you want on time and within budget.
1. Are they friendly?
First impressions are everything. When speaking with the different fence companies in your area, pay attention to how friendly, approachable and helpful they are. After all; depending on your project, you’re going to be working with this company for anything from a few days to a few weeks or even months, so try and find a contractor who is friendly and helpful from the beginning.
2. Are they experienced?
Fence companies, like all contractors, should be experienced. This will not only speak to their ability to do the job but will also let you know to what standard you can expect the job to be completed to. Do you want to hire a fence company who is doing their first job or a company with years of experience who will surpass your expectations?
3. Do they have a good reputation locally?
When hiring fence companies in your local area, it absolutely paramount to ensure that they have a good reputation. Ask around. Talk to friends, family members and other people you know in the local community and see if they have any information on the company you are thinking of hiring. If someone has direct experience working with a company, sit down with them and hear how their experience was, you’ll very quickly know if this is the contractor for you or if you need to continue searching through the available fence companies in your area.
4. How was their previous work?
After speaking with the locals in your area, ask them to view any work that the company you are considering has done. If they are proud of the job and how it has transformed their home, you can be sure that that particular fencing company will be worth your consideration. On the other hand if you get there and the fence already looks like it needs to be repaired or replaced then it will probably be best to consult other fence companies and leave this one well alone.
If you can’t find a local who has worked with the company directly then ask the fence companies themselves. Simply tell them you would like to see some of their finished work outside of the showroom and brochures. After all if they are a reputable company with plenty of experience, they should have completed some work in the local area. Don’t be shy about asking, it’s perfectly within your rights to ask these questions and the information you can get from seeing previous work is honest.
5. Can you speak with a previous client?
To take things a step further, you can very politely approach the homeowner at the address the fence company has provided you to view their previous work. Compliment their beautiful yard and explain how you are thinking of having a similar job done by the same company. Ask if the job was completed as promised, to budget and within the allocated timeframe. Find out if they were happy with the workers, if they were courteous and friendly while on the job. Be careful not to be too pushy though, some people put that fence there for more privacy. Just be friendly and polite.
6. How are their online reviews?
Your next stop should be the internet. The fence companies in your area may have reviews from previous clients online. Google is your friend here, simply search for “COMPANY NAME Review” and you will quickly find out what previous clients thought of the fence companies you have in mind.
7. What materials will they be using?
The materials used when constructing your fence are going to make a world of difference in terms of how long it lasts. Remember, the majority of fences are erected outdoors so they have to be capable of standing up to all kinds of weather conditions, interaction with animals, passing foot traffic and debris from the road. Ask about what materials the company will be using and ensure that they are going to stand the test of time. Fence companies will sometimes quote the lowest price possible which will usually involve the cheapest and lowest quality materials available. Be aware of this and ask for clarification if necessary.
After asking all of these questions you will be in a much better position to choose from the fence companies in your area and find the best one for your budget and your requirements. After considering all these factors, the final thing is to follow your instincts. If you get a bad feeling from a particular contractor, walk away. Find a company that you trust, that has a good reputation and uses high quality materials to complete the job.
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External Link: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,219983,00.html
List of Sources:
• http://www.agfence.ca/news-and-advice/news/News-Advice/2014/01/31/19:what-to-look-for-when-hiring-a-fencing-company
• http://revolutionfence.com/hiring-meridian-fence-company/