Word of mouth is a great way to find a good contractor. Ask your friends and family about the fence contractors they have used. Did they show up on time and look professional? An estimator should have your interests in mind. You should be wary if they tell you everything you want to hear.
Experience
When you hire a fencing contractor in Forest Lake, IL, you want to ensure they have extensive field experience. They should be able to answer your questions and provide examples of their past work. They should also have the proper licensing and insurance to work on your property. A professional company will never pressure you to sign up on the spot, nor should they ask you to pay cash only. Those are red flags that the fence contractor is not a legitimate business. Also, when you call the company, you should always receive a friendly and professional greeting. Avoid companies with a generic answering machine or voicemail. They may be trying to hide their identity and avoid paying taxes. A legitimate business will have a verifiable address, phone number, and website URL.
Reputation
A professional fence company will have a good reputation with local homeowners. An excellent way to find out is to ask friends and family members about their experiences with the contractor or read reviews online. In addition, a professional fencing company should offer quality products and provide a manufacturer’s guarantee or warranty for the work done. This is important because it ensures the homeowner gets a high-quality result that will last for a long time. Lastly, homeowners should check whether the contractor is licensed to work on homes. This can be verified by a simple search online, revealing whether or not the contractor is licensed to work in your area. This may include local landscaping companies, general construction contractors, and licensed handypersons.
Customer Service
Professional contractors will provide their clients with outstanding customer service. This means that they will be friendly and courteous and promptly answer any questions you may have. They will also be willing to work with you to ensure that your project is completed within your budget. They will use quality products made to last and offer warranties on those products. They will also take the time to install your fence to be safe and secure properly. They will also be willing to help you with any other projects you have in mind. This includes contacting utility companies and pulling permits if necessary. If a fencing contractor is unwilling to do this, it may be best to move on.
Timely Completion
The contractor you hire must be able to complete your fence project promptly. They should be able to meet milestones like signing PPA, meeting financial closure requirements/conditions subsequent, and commissioning. A fence installation project requires a lot of time and effort. Leaving the job to a professional can save you time and money in the long run. Look for a company that will provide you with a detailed estimate of your project and give you a timeline for when the work should be completed. Ask whether they will obtain a permit and contact utility locators to pinpoint underground lines before starting the project.
If they do not offer this, it might be best to find another company.
Payment
When it comes to payment, any reputable fence installation company will have clear payment procedures. This will include a detailed breakdown of the estimate with additional charges that might be added during the project, such as permit fees, utility locators, etc. They will also have a history of staying within their estimated time frames so that you know you can trust them to finish the job on time. Any contractor that requires cash payments should be considered a red flag as they leave almost no paper trail and are a fly-by-night type of business. Most reputable contractors will be happy to accept credit card or check payments as this will provide them with digital and physical proof of payment that they can use.
