Getting a new fence isn’t really an exciting idea. For most people, it’s just something that you have to do, and it isn’t something you look forward to. However, that doesn’t mean that you should just pick anybody to put up the fence around your home.
In fact, who you pick to build your fence matters more than you might think today. That’s true because your fence could come down after just a few months, and if you pick the wrong contractor, they’re not going to come back and fix it for you. Generally, a contractor that does a bad job won’t be the type to return and fix a problem.
The fence that you put around your house also plays a big part in how it looks. Even if you don’t intend to sell your home any time soon, the curb appeal of your house should make a difference to you.
When you’re ready for a new fence, use this guide to help you pick a contractor who will do a good job and serve your needs to the best.
Experience Matters When you’re thinking about hiring a fence contractor, one of the first things you should find out about is their experience. Did they just start a business? Are they familiar with the weather in your area, and what types of materials are appropriate for a fence in your neighborhood? All of this stuff really matters, and you need a qualified fence contractor to help you make these decisions.
What About Licensing? While not all fence contractors need to be licensed and bonded by the state, however many people prefer to hire companies that are. Why? For a few basic reasons, and believe it or not, they can really matter.
When a fence contractor is licensed and bonded in your area that means that you won’t be held responsible if anybody gets hurt on the job because of a workman error. That’s a big deal, and it isn’t something you want to have to deal with if somebody does get hurt.
Hiring somebody that is licensed and bonded in your area is also beneficial, because you’re working to build a relationship with them. If they do other work in the area, and they probably do, you’ll be able to hire them to do additional work for you too.
Compare Prices Hiring the cheapest fence contractor that you can find isn’t always the best idea, and many times, you’ll want to simply go with the best because pricing will be similar. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check prices to make sure that you’re getting a good deal.
If you find a contractor that you want to work with but got a lower price elsewhere, make sure you discuss it with your ideal contractor. They may be able to tell you why they are charging more and why it’s worth paying extra. Alternately, they may be able to come down on their price so you can work with them without paying a lot of extra money.
Do You Need a Fence Now? If you’re replacing your fence because it isn’t looking its best you know that you’re just being proactive. However, just because your fence doesn’t look perfect doesn’t mean you need one today. See if you’ll pay less in spring or summer.
Check Past Work Most contractors that are really good at what they do will be able to direct you to a place where you can see their work. While that might sound a little bit strange to you, actually seeing the work of a fence contractor and how it stands up in real life is a very good way to judge quality.
Your best bet is to ask any fence contractor that you’re thinking about working with where you can see their past work in the same setting. That means, if you want a residential fence, you should be looking at examples of their residential work. If you’re getting a fence for a commercial building, make sure you can see the examples of commercial work the contractor has done in the past.
Without seeing the work the fence contractor has done before you, it’s very hard to know what you will get as the end result.
See Also: Top 4 Residential Fences: Which One is Right for You?
