Fences are great for keeping animals inside and out, protecting property from theft, and creating privacy. But figuring out how to choose a fence contractor can be difficult.
But finding the right fence builder can seem overwhelming. There are thousands of companies out there who claim to be experts in fencing. It’s not always clear where to begin looking. And once you find a company, you may end up with a bad experience.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide to help you make sure you find the best fence builder in Pennsylvania. This will include everything from researching the company online to asking friends for referrals.
Get Three Estimates
Get at least three estimates before signing a contract for fence installation. You will learn a lot from talking to three different estimators about pricing and options.
Check Licenses
Fence companies in Bucks County, PA need to register as a Home Improvement Contractor with the Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania. Each contractor will be issued a unique Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor number (PAHIC#). The law requiring this registration also requires a minimum amount of insurance coverage and contracts that provide certain consumer protections.
Before hiring a contractor to do work on your property, be sure to check with the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General to check that the contractor you have would like to use is registered with them. Also, be sure you ask and receive a copy of the contractor’s current certification of insurance. Also, verify the contractor carries workers’ compensation insurance as required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Check Reviews
The reputation of your fence contractor in your community is more important as compared to their industry experience. Requesting the names of at least three different references in your neighborhood that have installed a fence from that installer is a good way to assess an installer’s reputation.
Check their online reviews on multiple websites such as Google, Yelp, Facebook and BBB. Be on the lookout for fake five star reviews that have been used to bury negative reviews.
Professional Accreditation
Check to see if your fence installer belongs to professional associations such as the American Fence Association.
Written Estimates and Contracts
All of your fence estimates should be provided in writing and detail the cost of materials and labor. Be sure to ask who will be responsible for obtaining a building permit for the fence, if necessary. An itemized breakdown of the costs will help you compare them to other options. A detailed estimate should also serve as the contract. For legitimate contractors this should not be an issue.
A detailed contract will protect both you and the contractor from any potential conflicts. If the scope of the project and post construction cleanup is outlined beforehand you will know what to expect.
Check the Warranty Offered by the Contractor
Most fence contractors will have at least a basic warranty on their workmanship. You want a contractor that will fix any issues after the job is completed. A quality contractor should do a final walkthrough with you in order to inspect your fence, and fix any issues you notice.
If you get a wood or chain link fence installed your contractor will probably provide the warranty on workmanship.
Vinyl and ornamental fence manufacturers offer warranties for manufacturing defects in their products. This will be the separate from the warranty offered by a manufacturer.
With this information in mind I hope you can make your search easier for a quality fencing quality contractor. If you only do business with legitimate contractors you can avoid lots of problems.
