How to Choose the Right Fence Contractor

You’ve just moved into your dream home, and now you’re ready to put the finishing touches on your front and back yard–starting with a custom fence. You have a pretty good idea of what you want…or at least, you think you do. Right?

Once you decide to start building a fence, the first question you should ask yourself shouldn’t be, “Picket or iron?” but instead, “Which fence contractor should I choose?”

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing the right fencing contractor:

Price Isn’t Everything

Don’t choose a fencing contractor based on price alone–cheaper doesn’t mean better (just like ridiculously high prices don’t necessarily guarantee quality).

Instead, seek out the tried-and-true companies with stellar reputations and a solid history of expertise. The best fencing contractors are artisans who value quality and your needs above cheap pricing and an unreliable fence.

Think About the Long-Term

Say you’re in a hurry to get that fence up, so you call your buddy, who knows a guy, who knows a guy, who shows up with his pickup truck and does a quick-and-dirty installation for next to nothing. Sweet deal, right?

Not exactly. There are a few problems with this scenario. First, your friend’s friend’s friend’s installation knowledge (and his equipment) may not be up to industry standards. This means your new fence might not be as sturdy as it could be–and as soon as a storm hits, it could topple over or break apart.

Secondly, if your fence does topple over, there’s no guarantee that the guy in the pickup truck will return your calls for a repair. If he just installed it on a whim and isn’t a professional, he may not be as reliable as established companies.

And finally, that guy in the truck may not be familiar with local ordinances and codes, which could pose a huge liability for you–and cost a ton of money down the road.

Save that money upfront by opting for a contractor with a stellar reputation and the customer service to back it up. A reliable contractor will install a sturdy, quality fence and help you maintain it over the years.

Make Sure Your Contractor Understands Your Needs

Great fencing contractors can answer your questions and guide you along the process of choosing the right fence for you. They’re experts in everything from installation to helping you choose the perfect wood finish. They won’t try to sell you anything you don’t need, but they’ll absolutely let you know what you do need.

If you’re shopping around for companies to install your fence and they seem evasive or overly pushy, look somewhere else. It’s your fence, after all–you need to work with a team that understands your needs.

Check Out Online and Community Reviews

Along with asking your friends for recommendations, checking reviews on sites like Yelp and Google can give you a good place to start when choosing a fencing contractor.

You can also check to see if the contractor has any social media pages, and if clients have left reviews there. There’s something to be said for word-of-mouth recommendations!

Do Your Research

Going into a meeting with your fencing contractor armed with an idea of what you might want can help you and your contractor start out on the right foot! Make sure you listen to your contractor’s suggestions–they’re the experts, after all!–but it helps already knowing what kind of fences you like (and what you dislike).

Do your research: what fence works best in the climate where you live? What type of fence is best for your home? What price range are you comfortable with? And what questions do you have for your contractor? The right contractor can help you make a decision and build the perfect fence for you.

With almost thirty years of expertise, Northwest Fence and Iron is Central Texas’ premiere fencing company. Reach out here for a custom quote!

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