You’re a smart homeowner who researches everything until you are blue in the face. You research the best schools for your kids, the right diet to optimize your health and the best washer and dryer to buy from your local home improvement store. Hiring a fence company to install a new fence should be no different. Some people might not know the right questions to ask though. Many people will never have to deal with replacing a fence in their lifetime, so this is new territory. Consider these 5 questions to ask the fence company you are considering hiring for the job.
Do you like interacting with the fence company?
This seems simple, but an important first step. They might have the best reviews and the lowest pricing, but if they are a drag to talk to, you might want to reconsider. You’ll become closer through this fence installation process, so you want to make sure they are a company that you can handle talking with day in and day out. There must be an open line of communication as to the cost, estimated time table and any issues that arise during the installation. If you have a hard time getting a hold of a company or they are rude to you when you ask questions- you might want to keep the search going. Do they have alternative ways of getting in touch with them if they are not immediately available every time you call them? Do they have an answering service, email, or Facebook messenger? These are all things to consider given your preferred mode of communication.
Do they respect your time?
This is a huge question to consider when hiring a fence company. You are busy and have a life of your own. Although the fence company is just as busy, they have a responsibility to remain professional and communicate effectively as to when they expect to be there for a meeting or when a project will be completed. A huge red flag is when a fence company is late for a scheduled meeting regarding your fence. Life happens of course, but you want a company that will communicate every step of the way to respect both of your time. Ask for an estimated timeline of when they think they can complete the fence. You don’t want a company that just tells you what you want to hear. You want someone that can honestly look at their schedule and communicate accurate expectations based on their current workload and other projects going on. Make sure to ask the fence company about their timeline of how long a fence will be completely torn down if you have children, pets or face a busy street. The last thing you want is to be without a fence for weeks while the fence company delays the completion of the fence for whatever reason.
Does their sales process run smoothly?
What does the process look like from when you first contact them regarding a quote on your fence project? Did you send an email and it takes them 3 days to get back to you? Did you call and immediately get to talk to someone? These are all indicators of what working with the fence company will look like in the future. Of course things happen and they don’t always go smoothly, but your experience with the fence company during their sales process is a great indicator of what it will be like if you actually hire them. Are they disorganized? Seem too busy to talk to you? Make promises they can’t keep? Consider all of these questions when making your decision to hire a fence company.
Are there financing options available?
Fences can be expensive and needing financing is a reality for many homeowners. Ask the fence company if they offer any financing options and make sure to read all of the terms and conditions. Many companies will offer financing through an outside source, similar to a credit card, so be aware of the interest rates on those options.
What materials will they be using for your project?
This is of course our most important question that we want you consider when hiring a fence company. Many contractors do not use the right materials that will last for your fence. You are investing all of this money into your fence, so you want to know that it will last. Depending on your budget, make sure your contractor is using at least standard grade, if not premium cedar materials. Stay away from a fence company that quotes treated pine fencing materials. Treated pine products do not do well in Colorado’s dry climate. Within 1-3 years, your fence will warp and crack and you will have to replace it again. If you have any questions about the grade or type of materials the fence company will be using, you can always call their supplier directly. The supplier is usually more knowledgeable about the products and will be able to answer any specific questions.
We hope this short guide helps you to be a savvy homeowner when deciding on a fence company to hire for your next project. Any questions about materials? Give us a call!
