Fencing contractors offer a wide range of design options to meet the specific security needs and aesthetic preferences of each property. They also have extensive knowledge of local zoning regulations to ensure that your fence adheres to the necessary requirements.
You may be able to find fencing companies in your area through recommendations from family and friends. However, you should ask several questions before hiring one.
Licenses and Permits
All construction-related businesses are required to have a license in most jurisdictions. This includes contractors such as fence builders. It is important to find out whether a potential contractor has a license before hiring them for the job. This can help you avoid legal issues later on.
Ensure that your fencing project doesn’t encroach into easement areas, including but not limited to utility easements, surface drainage and storm water management easements, or floodplain easements. This information can be obtained from your city or county permit office.
Ask fence contractors if they will take care of the permit application process for you. This is especially important if you live in an incorporated city or town. They should also be able to provide references and details about their previous work. It is also a good idea to ask about any warranty or guarantees they offer. Lastly, verify that they are licensed and insured. If they are not, you may want to consider another builder.
Insurance
Fencing contractors must have a comprehensive business insurance package to protect themselves from financial risks. The insurance should include general liability, workers’ compensation, commercial auto and property.
The insurance should also cover business interruption and tools coverage. If your fencing company’s building or warehouse is damaged, this insurance will help cover the costs of relocating and repairing your inventory, equipment, furniture and fixtures. Tools insurance covers your tools regardless of where they are, be it at the office, in a vehicle or on a jobsite.
For example, if your employee digs a hole for a post too deep and damages the sewage line, you could be held liable. This is why you need a general liability policy to cover these kinds of incidents. Similarly, if a client or passersby gets hurt while you’re working on a jobsite, this policy will cover medical expenses. This is typically included in a business owners policy (BOP). You should also consider getting a commercial auto insurance to cover your vehicles.
Experience
In order to survive in the field of fence construction, a business must have skilled workers. This is true for both the management and the installation crews.
A business can also benefit from a recognizable brand and a well-established customer base. This is achieved through the use of marketing tools like printing business cards, buying vehicle wraps, and getting branded uniforms.
Additionally, the business must be knowledgeable about local zoning regulations and how to work around utility lines. Asking the company about their experiences with grading and slopes is a good way to gauge their knowledge of the job.
In addition, the contractor must be able to produce quality work at a competitive price. This is a difficult balance to achieve, but it can be accomplished by creating transparent estimates that are specific to each client’s needs. In this manner, the client can feel confident that they are paying a fair price for their new fence.
Reputation
A fence is a big ticket item that requires plenty of research and shopping around. When selecting a fence contractor, make sure they have a solid reputation in the community. Look for online reviews, testimonials and recommendations from friends and family.
Reputable contractors provide free estimates for potential customers. They also communicate the scope of a project clearly and are willing to explore cost-saving options without sacrificing quality. They also honor their timelines and have effective problem-solving skills that keep projects on track.
Experienced contractors understand the unique challenges involved in fencing construction, including dealing with weather conditions and working on uneven terrain. They have a proven track record of delivering results that exceed customer expectations and have the ability to work on both residential and commercial projects. In addition, experienced contractors know how to work with a variety of different fencing materials. For example, they can install wrought iron fencing, wood fencing and composite fencing.