Here are seven questions to ask your local fence contractor before hiring them.
You might be tired of having people sneak glances at your house or wild creatures running through your yard. Maybe you want to get a fence around your property to keep them out.
There are plenty of opportunities for fence contractors. And the fence construction market is expected to grow from $6,908 million in 2015 to $11,687 million in 2025.
Before hiring a fencing contractor, you'll want to ensure that they are qualified. You don't want to pay for a new fencing system only to be let down once the project is complete.
Before hiring a fencing company, here are some important things to consider.
If you ask these questions before you start looking for candidates, you can be sure you're hiring the right people for the jobs.
1. What was the company’s history before it came to be known today
Make sure to check out the reputation of any fencing contractors before hiring them. You'll want to know about their business history, for example.
Determine how long the company has been operating under its current name.
You'll want to look for a fence contractor who has been around for a long time and has had plenty of experience. Look for companies that have been doing business for years.
They've worked with local contractors before, so they know what works and what doesn't.
Online Reputation
Next, look up the company online by its full legal business title. Then, look up the fencing contractor by its full legal business titles as well. Check out any suspicious reviews or complaints that were posted online.
If there are just one or two negative client comments out of several positive ones, then that doesn't mean you shouldn't hire them. However, if there are numerous negative comments, then you should probably start looking for another fence contractor.
Check out companies' websites, Angie's List, and US Fence Guide for customer feedback. Also look at the business's Google My Business page.
Make sure to look up the business' BBB accreditation status before doing any transactions. Is the company a member of the American Foundation for Accreditation of Home Health Agencies (HFAA) or the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)?
These professional and corporate associations show that the company is committed to delivering excellent services.
Look for a Better Business Bureau member who has an A+ rating or higher.
2. Is Your Business Registered With the State?
After that, check to see if the fencing company is properly registered in your state.
Working with an unlicensed fencing company puts you at risk. You could be held responsible if anything bad happens on your property. And if there's an accident or injury on your property, you'd be held accountable too.
Make sure you don’t sign any contracts agreeing to be paid in full in advance. If you do so, you may not be able to protect yourself against disputes or duplicate charges.
You need to pay for the services rather than just paying an individual.
3. Are You Insured?
You need to be aware of liability issues too. It's important to ensure the contractors you hire carry adequate insurance.
If you hire someone to install a fence on your land, they should carry general liability coverage for any damage caused by them. Their workers' comp coverage should cover injuries sustained by their employees.
Make sure these policies (and any others) are both up-to date. Request copies for your files.
4. Do you plan to pull permits?
Ask any fence contractors you're interviewing about their permit requirements. You should also check whether they require permits from your city or county government.
If they don't charge you for the permit, ask them to pull the permit for you.
5. Do you want to contact my utility company?
If you're hiring a professional fence builder, they should be able to tell you where there are any underground gas, water and electricity lines so you don't run into any issues during construction.
It's usually provided for free by your utility provider.
You should always get copies of any surveys you receive from contractors. These records can be used by a fencing contractor to confirm where your property lines are located. If you don't already have them, call a surveyor or title agent.
You must ensure that your plan doesn't infringe upon any neighboring properties' rights.
You should contact your surveyor and/ or your utilities company to get the information you need. Then you can protect your house from damage and ensure that contractors won't be held liable for anything they might cause.
6. What Kind of Warranty Do You Offer?
Depending on the size of your backyard, an electric wire fencing system could range from between $1,000 and $3,000. Wood-based fences, however, could cost anywhere from $2,500 to $20,000.
Before signing a contract and paying for a fence, check out the warranty offered by the fence company.
You shouldn't spend so much money on something just because you think it's worth it.
Determine when payment must be made and whether they will accept full payment at completion. Some contractors require you make a down payment before starting the job. Others may offer a flexible payment plan.
Make sure that you understand the payment schedule before starting work. Have them in writing.
After making sure you're completely happy with the job, make sure you pay for it before leaving.
This will help you identify scams before they happen.
You should always check whether the fence contractor offers a warranty for the installation. If so, make sure the warranty depends on the kind of material used.
7. What's the Timeline?
Before starting any project, be clear on its timeline. Know when you can start working on it.
Make sure the contract contains the project's starting and ending date.
If you're not sure whether you want to sign up for a service, you can also inquire how long the quote lasts. Some services offer estimates and let you know how long they plan to keep their prices before changing them.
Make sure you hire a fence contractor who can deliver quality results for your project. Here’s how to find out if they can really help you.
You want to make sure to get the best contractors when you need them done. To help ensure that you're hiring the best, ask yourself these five important question.
Looking forward to starting your next big business venture? Get in touch with us today for a free quote!
