Let’s face it. We have all had a bad experience with a contractor. Whether they don’t show up on time or do the job incorrectly, a home improvement project can turn into a nightmare with the wrong contractor. That’s why it is so important to choose the right fencing company.
Believe it or not, fencing is a very complicated job. There are a ton of factors that go into an aesthetically pleasing and high-quality fence. As in all projects, it is critical to select the right contractor. Big picture, you want to make sure your contractor is honest and does things the right way. It sounds simple but we all know it’s not the norm in business.
The first thing to look for is good communication. You want a fencing contractor that values your time and property. Scheduling an in-person estimate is the first chance to see how the company conducts its business. It should be convenient and easy to get a hold of the company and schedule an estimate. They should keep you up to date with reminders leading up to the appointment and show up at the correct time and place. This shows the company values your time and conducts itself in a professional manner.
Once the estimator arrives you want to make sure they have your interests in mind. A good estimator will listen to the goals for the project and help you decide on the correct fence. They should foresee any potential problems with the fence installation and explain how their company can and will avoid such problems. An estimator that tells you everything you want to hear is not one to be trusted. As in all projects, there are bound to be some obstacles to overcome. If the estimator takes shortcuts in explaining these it is likely the installers will do the same.
Communicating clearly and effectively also ensures that you are going to get the product you asked for. Miscommunication on project details can lead to a bad outcome for both the fencing contractor and the customer.
Not all fence materials are created equal. There are a variety of products on the market of substantially differing quality. A good fencing company will want to show you the product they are estimating for you. You can tell the quality of the material by seeing a good sample. Quality does not end with the materials, however. A good fencing company is able to explain exactly how they are going to install your fence to make sure it has the longest lifetime possible. Fence posts should always be installed below the frost line using wet-set concrete. Such practices are common and a good estimator will go over all of these things with you.
You should always ask the fence company if your fence will be built by employees or subcontractors. While some subcontractors do excellent work the incentives of subcontracting are misaligned in many ways. Normally a subcontractor gets a flat rate per job to install. If they run across unforeseen obstacles that will increase their time on the job they may ignore them as they won’t be compensated for the extra hours. We advise you to avoid subcontractors.
Ask your potential fence company about their Craftsmanship Warranty. Any good fence builder will stand by their work. While materials such as Cedar can’t be controlled the quality of the installation can always be controlled. Make sure your fence company will stand by their work. Keep an eye out for such issues in the company’s reviews as well. If a company doesn’t stand by its warranty it is often reflected in customer reviews.
Many fence companies become revolving doors. After all, no one goes to university or trade schools specifically to build fences. A good fence company will go to great lengths to make fence building a career for their employees. By offering competitive wages, healthcare, retirement, and vacation time you can be assured that the company is keeping their employees around which in turn means your fence will be built by professionals.
Local companies have a huge effect on our community as well. Part of doing things the right way is helping one’s community as much as possible. Be on the lookout for ways in which your local fence company helps out in the community.
Of course, in the 21st century, the best way to tell an honest quality contractor apart from the rest is through previous customer testimonials. Customers are now able to leave reviews across many platforms. If these reviews line up with everything you’ve been told and experienced about your fence contractor then you know you’ve picked the right one.
All these factors can be summed up with two words TRUST and VALUE. You want to choose a company that offers the most bang for your buck. A company that can offer the best price combined with:
- Great Communication
- Quality Material & Installation
- Professional Employees
- No Subcontractors
- Good Warranty
- Great Customer Reviews
- Community Service
- Honesty
The above criteria are all important when it comes to selecting the right fence contractor. Remember, you want to get the best value for your money and make sure that your new fence is installed correctly and in a timely manner. That is why it is so important to do your research and find the most reliable fence company possible. At Draper Fencing we believe in all of the above criteria and more. We take pride in our work and want to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money. Contact us today to get started on your fencing project!