Finding a fencing specialist you can trust is not an easy job. It is vital that you choose the right contractor to meet your needs and budget.
Before you select a fencing specialist and sign a contract, you should first have an idea of what type of fence and material you wish to use. This way, you can focus on companies that specialise in that product line.
Once you have decided on the material and have shortlisted fencing specialists, here are a few questions you need to ask so you’ll know what to expect and to ensure that you’re in good hands.
1. How long have you been in business?
You will want a fencing specialist with a positive track record for the past 5 years, unless you know them personally. No matter how small your fencing project is, you don’t want to waste money by trying out a new company without a qualified background.
Australia has varied fencing standards for different fencing purposes so you need to stick with a company that knows what they’re doing. There are important safety standards for each type of fence and establishment so your chosen fencing specialist needs to know how to adhere to these safety regulations.
2. Can I see your past projects?
A credible fencing specialist will be more than happy to show off their work. Sharing their past projects will mean they are proud of their work and how satisfied their past customers are. Apart from asking them to show you past projects, you can also ask past customers to vouch for the quality of work of your chosen fencing specialist.
3. Do you carry insurance?
A reliable fencing specialist carries insurance including liability and workman’s compensation. Workman’s compensation insurance sees to it that you have no liability of a worker was injured while working on your property. General liability insurance keeps your property protected from damages caused by the fencing specialist while doing your fencing project.
4. Can you provide a quote?
No person in their right mind will start a fencing project without knowing how much it would cost. A good fencing specialist will go to your property to take measurements to give you a quote. If you are given a quote without a visit, you should be wary. This is particularly true for properties with slopes.
Fencing specialists should discuss what they will do and provide a quote. It is also important to ask how long the quote is good for. You might decide two or three months after the quote and you might be surprised that your fencing specialist quotes have already lapsed.
5. How long will the project take?
A reliable fencing specialist will provide a reasonable timeline of how long the fencing will take. Although there are always unforeseen factors to consider and no perfectly accurate estimate can be given, a good fencing specialist will discuss with you a reasonable estimate.
6. What do you do to avoid underground utility lines?
Buried utility lines can sometimes delay the work done on your property. A good fencing specialist will ensure that they locate and mark any buried water, power, and gas lines in order to avoid them when constructing your fence.
7. What is the installation warranty?
Knowing the installation warranty of a fencing specialist will give you an idea of the quality of work they do. If a fencing specialist gives a longer warranty, it shows that they are confident with their quality of work. However, warranties can sometimes depend on the fence material. Make sure that you also ask for the manufacturer’s warranty for your fence material.
These are just some of the important questions to ask your fencing specialist before you sign a contract. Make sure to only hire reliable ones so you get your money’s worth.