Are you thinking about having a fence installed around your property? A fence not only gives you more privacy, security, and safety; it also adds value to your home. To ensure you’re getting a high-quality fence, you’ll want to hire a reliable company. But how can you do that?

Here are some questions to ask fence companies before hiring one.

1.  Are They Licensed and Insured?

This is the most critical question to ask a fence company. Any fencing contractor should be both licensed and insured in their state. This means they have passed minimum requirements in the field of fence construction. Unfortunately, some companies are dishonest and may claim to build fences without having the experience you need. Read more if you suspect you have a shady fence company.

You should always ask any company working on your property if they’re fully insured with general liability and workers compensation insurance. This is important because you want to make sure if something goes wrong, it’s legally covered. Accidents happen, and while it’s unlikely someone could get hurt on the job or your property could be damaged. Ensuring they have proper insurance protects both you and the workers.

2.  Do They Offer A Warranty?

Ask what type of warranty they offer on their fences. They should offer a year warranty on their fencing material and workmanship. However, keep in mind the warranty will vary based on the type of fence you choose.

3.   How Much Experience Do They Have?

You want a contractor that has at least a few years of experience. This will help to give you peace of mind that they are both reliable and have the expertise to do a good job.

4.  Who Contacts the Utility Companies & Pulls Permits?

A professional fence company will contact your utility company. This will allow them to locate and mark any underground gas, water, and power lines before digging the holes for your fence. The contractor may ask for a copy of your property survey to determine where the property lines are. If you don’t have them, you need to contact the title company.

Depending on where you live, you may need to get permits to have your fence installed. Ask the fence company who is responsible for this and the types of permits required. If the contractor asks you to pull them, it may signify they aren’t licensed and approved by the municipality.

5.  How Long Will The Installation Take?

You’ll want to know how long the project will take so you can plan things accordingly. You’ll also want to know how long before they can start because a busy fence company can take a bit, especially during the busy season. Also, ask how long the quote is good for. Some companies will give you one that’s good for a few months to provide you with time to decide.

6.  Do You Have References I Can Contact?

Ask the fence company if they have any references you can contact and ask them to write them down. Contact the references to ask what the company did well and areas they could have done better. If their past clients are satisfied with their work, chances are you will be too.

Ask the fencing contractor if they have a portfolio of their past work. This gives you a chance to look over their past work and the number of projects they’ve handled.

Looking online is another way to find more information about the fence company. Search for online reviews to see how they compare with other companies. If you see a few negative reviews, it’s usually not a big deal; no matter how good a company does, it will end with unhappy customers. Look on sites such as AngiesList or USFenceGuide for reviews. Don’t forget to look at the company’s website to see if they have any badges or are members of the BBB.

Are You Getting An Accurate Quote?

The best way to make sure you’re getting an accurate quote is by doing your homework. You don’t want to hire the first person you find online; instead, contact multiple companies and request a minimum of three quotes. While the least expensive one may be tempting, keep in mind it’s not always the best. Consider their qualifications, quality of work, and what the quote includes.

The type of fence you want and the cost of materials factor are significant determinants of how much your fence will cost. Most often, wood fences are the least expensive; however, the material cost depends on the type of wood you want. When you get your quote, do your homework on different types of wood and their price. There may be one comparable to the kind you wish to that’s less expensive. Some wood like pine is inexpensive, but it doesn’t last long and needs constant upkeep. Instead, look at more durable woods such as western red cedar, which is more expensive and will last longer.

When you see the labor and additional costs, you may wonder what you’re paying for. When you pay a fence company to install your fence, the cost of labor pays for the wager of the contractor and subcontractors, but it also covers other things such as insurance and training costs. When looking at the quotes, look at these costs and compare them; if there are significant differences, call the companies and ask about the charges.

Getting A Good Deal On A New Fence

• Ask Questions – if there are charges you don’t understand, then ask questions.
• Know the terms – On the quote, you’ll see terms you may not understand, such as rails, pickets, panels, line posts, etc.; feel free to ask about these so you know your invoice.
• Get multiple quotes – Even if you don’t believe you need another quote because you like the one you have, get at least one more before hiring the fence company.

Are You Looking For A Qualified Fence Company?

As you can see, a lot goes into finding the right company for you, and sometimes it’s tempting to hire the first one that pops up in a search engine. However, if you want to hire the best company for the job, we recommend that you do your homework, talk to them and make sure you’re getting the best fence for your money.