How to Choose the Right Fencing Contractors

Fencing provides many benefits for a property, from increased security to adding valuable curb appeal.

Fences come in a variety of different materials and styles, including steel security fencing, traditional wooden fences or elaborate wrought iron.

The type of fencing you choose is important, but it’s equally important to ensure you’ve got the right person to carry out the installation.

Fencing contractors take on a wide variety of projects for both commercial and domestic clients but it can be difficult to know where to start.

You’ll want to make sure that you choose a company who can bring your vision and requirements to life, as well as providing a reliable, efficient service.

If you’re in need of new fencing for your home or business and need to choose a fencing contractors, see our handy guide below to help you narrow the search.

How to Choose the Right Fencing Contractors

Do your research

It might sound obvious, but thorough research is very important, especially if you’re planning on spending a lot of money on a larger job.

Search for local fencing companies in your area and read up on their services and background.

If you’re looking for a particular fencing material or style then this will help you to narrow down your search, but make sure any company you contact provides the services you need before proceeding further.

Consider the age of the company too; are they relatively new or have they been in the business for decades?

A new company doesn’t necessarily mean lower quality work, but customers might feel more comfortable choosing a fencing contractor with years of experience.

Fencing materials

Fencing is available in several different materials, including timber, steel and wrought iron.

In some cases, the home or business owner needs to purchase their material of choice and then the fencing company will install it on your behalf.

This can be cost-effective if you’ve sourced some inexpensive timber or have some extra wood lying around, but if not, you might struggle to know where to begin.

A proficient fencing contractor in Northern Virginia should be able to advise you on which materials will be best suited to your needs.

If you’re looking for a full comprehensive service, search for a fencing company which supplies, as well as installs, your chosen fence material.

This saves you having to source the materials yourself and you can be sure that you’re getting the highest quality products.

Which services do they provide?

Again, this might sound obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to choose a company and then find out they can’t provide the added extras you’re looking for.

Never assume that all fencing contractors are the same; one might specialize in security fencing, or another might stock particularly high quality timber fencing.

As mentioned above, some companies supply and install the materials, but some are installation only so always check before you commit to a project.

Think about any extra services you might need too, such as fencing repair or maintenance.

Some companies offer regular maintenance packages, especially for more complicated fencing like electric security gates or steel mesh.

Many companies also offer additional products for your garden, such as garden gates or trellis fencing.

Think about every aspect of your project before you start to make sure that your chosen fencing contractors has the services you need.

This will also help you to get a more accurate quote with no surprise hidden costs.

Compare quotes

If you’re short on time then it can be tempting to go with the first fencing company you find, but it’s well worth comparing quotes to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

It’s a good idea to shortlist three or four companies and get a quote from each.

Again, it’s often tempting to go with the cheapest offer but beware of a quote that’s wildly lower than all the rest.

If an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is, and it might mean that the work or materials are of a lower quality.

Evaluate each of the quotes to determine which offers the best value for money in relation to any other factors; for example one fencing contractor might be more expensive due to using higher quality timber.

Accreditations and licenses

The commercial fencing industry is regulated by the local authority and any reputable company will need the relevant licenses to carry out any fencing work.

If you’re planning a domestic installation then licenses may not be necessary, but if you’re organizing a larger commercial project (e.g installing electric gates) you’ll need to make sure the relevant accreditations and licenses are in place.

If a company doesn’t have the necessary accreditations and licenses then they shouldn’t be doing the work, so don’t be afraid to ask to see any paperwork upfront before you begin.

Read reviews

Online reviews can give a great insight into a company and the quality of their work.

They can also give you an idea of how professional the company is and their work ethic; for example, did they arrive on time? Was the work finished promptly and on schedule?

It’s difficult to find a company with 100% glowing reviews, but trust your instincts and look for a company where the majority of customers have been happy and satisfied with the work.

Ask for recommendations

If you’re wary about basing your decision on stranger’s reviews online, ask family and friends for their recommendations.

If you know someone in the area who’s recently had work done ask them which company they used and how long the work took to complete.

It also helps to see the work in person, so it’s even better if you have family or friends in the area who can show you their fencing work.

Consider the timeline

The timeline of your project will depend on the size and how complicated the work is, but it’s always a good idea to ask for estimates before choosing a fencing contractors.

Good quality work shouldn’t be rushed, but it’s no use choosing a company that will take weeks or months to complete the job if you’re on a tight schedule.

Be realistic about your timeline and choose a fencing contractor accordingly, but it’s always a good idea to allow an additional week or so for flexibility.

Unfortunately, construction work doesn’t always go to plan and you may need a contingency period in case of bad weather or to order extra materials.

Comprehensive fencing solutions from the experts at Stoneman Landscaping

If you’re looking for a fencing contractor in Northern Virginia, get in touch with the professionals at Stoneman Landscaping.

We’re proud to offer comprehensive fencing solutions for all your industrial, home and garden needs and with over 18 years of experience, you can be sure you’re in safe hands.

If you’re looking for domestic fencing solutions, we offer a wide range of products and services, including garden gates, fencing panels, concrete gravel boards and acoustic barriers for extra privacy.

We’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint, which is why we use locally sourced materials wherever possible and manufacture all our timber fence panels ourselves.

We’ve built a strong reputation within the local community, which is why we rely on word of mouth recommendations over advertising, to help keep costs down.

For expert advice or more information about any of our fencing services, don’t hesitate to give us a call today or contact us here.