Fencing has become a crucial aspect of our daily lives. Whether you need a fence system in your home, your backyard, or your office premises, there are certain factors you need to know before hiring a fence installer.
Below are some important or frequently asked questions you need to get an answer from your chain link fence provider:
1) Does your contractor has a commercial place of business?
Find a fence installer or a chain link fencing manufacturer with references with enough experience. Beware that several contractors present themselves as professionals; however, they work out of their references or homes.
These contractors might not be available to serve you once it is installed. Also, research your installer closely as you research the product that you need to install.
Feel free to obtain a report on the potential fence installers, fence business, or contractor.
2) Does your fence contractor install his fencing through his employees or does he work on a subcontract basis?
Selecting a fence contractor who uses his employees is crucial because an employee is governed by the organization that employs him. This form of working relationship is quite beneficial because many reputable fence organizations train employees “in house” and have complete control over:
- Every shipping date,
- Stuff used and
- Times and days of jobs scheduled
You always have better communication in choosing a fence installer that does not outsource its jobs. Your contacted fence installer should give you a flawless and complete schedule for your job.
Fence installers or contractors who “subcontract” their work do not have seamless control over their subcontractors as the subcontractor schedules as per their convenience.
Many a time a subcontractor will perform multiple jobs at a time. Depending on their ranking of your job will base your work schedule and completion date.
3) Does your contractor support his work through a written guarantee?
It is a norm of the fence industry to offer residential customers a written 1-year labor warranty.
4) How long has the company or installer been in operation?
Check if the fence installer has enough experience required in your desired area of fencing and ensure that they are specialists in fence installation. Also, you should know that a “jack of all” might not have the proper knowledge required to tackle fence installation of specific forms of fencing.
5) Is your potential fence installer insured, licensed, and bonded?
- What is a license? Also, why is it necessary to have a license from your installer?
A reputable chain link fence company, installer, or contractor should be licensed in the cities he works in. A license is like a work permit. It also means that the installer has submitted the proper paperwork along with the cities fees to legally work in your city.
License is like another step while negotiating with a reputable person. You should screen the candidate and ensure that they do not have any history of violations.
- What do we mean by insured and bonded and why this should be important to you?
It is critical to find the services of a professional fence or welded wire mesh manufacturer that provides proper coverage and has taken time to get accreditation in your city. Picking a licensed fence contractor in your city means that are violations free.
- Does the company or individual you are considering possess enough fencing knowledge and relevant codes and regulations in place within your codes or city?
Every fence regulation must be followed by your contractor to avoid future hazards.
6) Can they produce references available upon request?
For your complete protection, take some time to speak to existing clients of your contractor to view the work of your potential contractors.
7) What kind of work ethic does this installer possess?
Can you have a specific time frame from your installer regarding the delivery of materials, times and days of installation, length of installation time?
Some fences can be installed within a day whereas other fencing takes two different days for installation. You need to ensure you get a thorough explanation regarding the expected time frame to install your specific type of fencing.
To make yourself secured, make sure you have all the details.
8) Be wary of a fence installer who is asking for an upfront payment.
All reputable installers seek 50% payment and the balance upon complete and satisfactory completion of their work. Others may seek certain percentage upfront, post setting, and the balance upon satisfactory completion of your work. See the payment schedule or terms of payment before the start your project!
9) Does your fence installer use concrete to set the fence posts?
If they use, how long do they allow the concrete to “set” before returning to complete the job?
It is general practice in the fencing industry to set all:
- Chain link posts,
- Ornamental aluminum, steel, iron, wood fence systems, and
- Vinyl in concrete footers.
The only exception to the rule comes where fence systems need to be used in situations where the fencing is needed to mount between pillars. Different split rail fencings are tamped in dirt footers. However, even in this setting, the doorposts are concreted.
So, carefully assess your situation and pick the method that best accommodates your setting. It is quite obvious that fencing in concrete footers will hold up longer than one that is not.
