Are you thinking of installing a fence on your property?
Erecting a fence can make your home more secure, increase safety for children and pets, increase your privacy, and provide wind shelter.
Besides all these benefits, installing a fence can also attract a decent ROI, sometimes as high as 70%.
However, before you press go on your new fence, you have an important decision to make. Are you going to opt for a national fencing company to do the installation or a local one?
If you’re torn between googling “fencing companies near me” or simply going with a national name—you’ve found the right article.
Below we get into some important reasons why choosing local is better when it comes to hiring a fence company. Continue reading to find out why a local fence company is probably the smarter option.
You Might Pay Less
One of the first reasons choosing a local fence company is a savvy move is that you might end up paying less for the project.
National companies often have more costs they need to cover. Because their services span the country, they have to lay out more money for on-location rentals and administrative staff.
A local fence company, on the other hand, has a simpler business structure to run. They don’t need to get licensed in multiple states or comply with differing state laws. Their administrative costs are less, and they can practice more targeted advertising.
Hiring a fence company from your state, town, or city won’t always guarantee you a lower price. But if you do a true comparison of the cost and value, you’ll probably find that the local fence company will give you a better, more personalized service, at the same cost or less.
You’ll Get More Personalized Service
Speaking of personalized service, this is another valuable reason to choose a local fence company. Personalized service is incredibly important, especially for things like a fence installation.
To begin with, personal service will make you feel like a valued client of a business, not just a name on a list. Instead of feeling like you’re speaking to a call center every time you phone the office, you’ll be able to build up relationships with the staff on the other end of the line.
They’ll know who you are, and have a better understanding of you as a customer and your fencing project. If you have a problem or a question, chances are you’ll be able to get help quickly and easily.
With larger, national companies, this isn’t always the case. They might try to provide you with good customer service, but you won’t be able to get the personal attention that smaller, local companies can give.
Personalized service can save you a lot of frustration and headaches. It can also make the job go smoother.
If something goes wrong, you can deal with someone on the spot. Instead of trying to navigate between head office and your local installation team.
Local Fencing Companies Have More Motivation to Uphold Their Reputation
Another great reason to google “fencing companies near me” instead of going with a big fencing company is that local fence installation companies are more motivated to uphold their reputation.
Although large companies also need to uphold a positive brand image, their markets are much wider. With more staff, more locations, and more teams, their company ethos can also become diluted.
A local fence company, on the other hand, is entirely reliant on its reputation in the local market. If word gets around that a certain company is untrustworthy, that could put them right out of business. Because local companies rely solely on local business, they are often more motivated to keep their customers happy and provide the very best service possible.
It’s Easier to Get In-Person Feedback on a Local Fence Company
If you’re trying to evaluate a fence company, one of the best places to start is by figuring out what kind of experience other people have had with them.
Online reviews can be very helpful for gauging previous customer experiences. But what’s even better is being able to speak to people and get their in-person feedback on their fence installation and the contractor who did it.
It’s usually easier to do this with a local fencing company than a national one.
Contacting References Is Less Awkward
Once you start speaking with a professional fence contractor they’ll often be able to put you in touch with some of their past clients who can act as references.
While it’s nice to be able to speak to past clients, contacting them can be a little awkward, especially if they live in another state.
If references live close by, it will be a lot easier to establish a connection than if you’re calling them up out of the blue from the other side of the country.
Local Fencing Companies Aren’t Less Professional
Another thing to know is that local fencing companies aren’t necessarily any less professional than large companies.
Some people assume that smaller businesses are inherently less professional and well-run than bigger companies. This is often far from the case.
In many instances, smaller, local businesses are better managed and operate to higher standards than big multi-state or national operations.
Of course, you do get small fly-by-night “contractors” in just about every area.
But if you vet your options carefully, you should be able to easily spot these types of contractors and avoid them.
You Can Easily View Fencing Samples at Our Showroom
An additional benefit of going with a local fence company is that viewing samples of fence styles and colors is sometimes easier.
For instance, if you’re an Idaho resident looking for a local fence company, here at Butte Fence, you can visit our custom fencing showroom in Twin Falls to easily view fence samples.
Our experienced staff will guide you through the process of selecting the right fencing option, one that will stand the test of time, meet your needs, and match your home style.
Being able to view fence samples in-person is a lot easier than trying to make decisions based on online selections.
A Local Fencing Company Will Have Experience With Local Terrain and Fencing Requirements
Besides giving more personalized service, a local fencing company will also have more experience with your local area’s terrain and weather conditions.
If they have been in operation for some time, they’ll probably have installed hundreds of fences in your area, many in similar terrains to your yard. They’ll know what problems to look out for and can also advise you on things like tree cutting permits if you need to remove a tree to erect your fence.
Besides this, they’ll also be able to give you advice as to what fencing materials hold up best in the local weather conditions.
For instance, here in Idaho, we get some of the coldest winter temperatures in the US. Very low temps can be harsh on fencing materials like wood. Although you can opt for wooden fences in Idaho, it’s best to sink them into the ground with steel poles.
Aluminum fences should also be installed with care if they are close to salted roads. If an aluminum fence is in close proximity to a salted road or pavement and has metal fittings, this can cause a reaction between the metals and result in corrosion.
Because we have years of experience installing fences in Idaho’s climate, we know what materials and installation methods will stand the test of time.
Local Fence Installation Companies Are Familiar With Local Permit Requirements
A professional fence contractor that is from your area will also be more familiar with local permit requirements.
The last thing you want is to start your fence installation, only to have things grind to a halt over permit issues. A local fencing contractor will be able to advise you on whether you need a permit for your new fence, and where to apply for one.
Permit requirements for fences can vary widely between states. A large national fencing company might not be familiar with your state’s requirements or process.
Checking a Local Fence Installation Company’s License Is Simpler
Before you hire any kind of contractor you should also make sure they are fully licensed and bonded. If you hire an unlicensed contractor who doesn’t have liability insurance, you could run into a host of unforeseen issues.
For instance, if the contractor damages something on your property, you’ll be the one to foot the bill. If they cause injury to a third party while working on your property, this too might fall in your lap.
In Idaho, contractors can only acquire a license if they can supply proof of liability insurance.
This makes things easy for homeowners. Instead of having to ask the contractor for proof of liability insurance, you can simply check if they are licensed. If they are, this means they also have liability insurance.
The easiest way to check if a contractor is licensed is through the Idaho government website where you can search either by name or license number.
Checking a large, multi-state, or national fencing company’s license status is a more involved process.
It’s Easier to Gauge Experience Levels
If you hire a local fence company, it’s not only easier to ask other people about their service, it’s also easier to gauge their level of experience.
If a fencing contractor has been in business for a number of years and is well recommended by other residents, then it’s likely that they have a lot of experience.
With a large fencing company, it’s usually harder to gauge how experienced their staff are. Even though a large fencing company might have been operating for a while, there’s very little way of knowing how experienced the installation team they send will be.
With a local fencing company, there are more opportunities for you to gauge staff skill levels and experience.
A Local Fencing Company Will Remember You as a Client
Another benefit of hiring a local fencing company is that you’ll be remembered. If there are any issues, maintenance jobs, or follow-up work needed, it won’t feel like you are starting from scratch with the company.
One of the drawbacks to working with big companies is that instead of being a valued client, you become just another name on a list.
This lack of personal connection can make working with a large contractor or supplier quite off-putting. Especially when you’ve already used their services and feel like they should know you as a client.
Hiring a Fence Company From Your Area Is Good for the Local Economy
Besides being good for your wallet, hiring a fence company from your area is also better for the local economy. Hiring local companies keeps resources flowing within your community.
Healthy local economies are good for everyone in them. The more jobs there are the less crime there is. Younger people are also more motivated to stay in the area.
Need Fencing Done in Idaho? Check Out Our Services Before You Google “Fencing Companies Near Me”
As you can see, there are numerous reasons why choosing local is better when it comes to finding a professional fence contractor.
Hiring a local fence company can net you better value for your money and more personalized service. A local fence company will also be better equipped to advise you on things like permit requirements and have more experience with local terrain and weather conditions.
Lastly, it’s also easier to check the reputation of a local business than of a large, multi-state operation.
Are you looking for an Idaho fencing company you can trust? You can either Google “fencing companies near me”, or take a moment to request a quote from us.
Butte Fence has been “going the extra yard” since 1994. Now we offer the largest in-stock selection of fencing and have become one of the most trusted installers in the state.
Contact us for a free quote today.