There are many reasons why you might be eyeing a new fence.
You may appreciate the privacy and visual barrier that one can provide. You may want to transform your property and give it an extra dose of curb appeal. Or, you might need one to help keep your beloved furry companions safe while they explore the backyard.
No matter the reason behind your search, it’s important to go with the right company. There might be a dozen different fence installers in your area, but not every team will be the right one for you and your home.
Today, we’re sharing our ultimate guide on how to choose installers that meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Start With Experience
Before you consider any other qualities of good fence installers, always start by making sure the company is well-established in your local area. While a new business can certainly get the job done, you need experts who are familiar with navigating around your town.
If they’ve lived and worked in the area long enough, they’ll know how to easily reach your home. This means their teams will show up on time and remain prompt throughout the project.
In addition, they may also know the type of fencing that others in your neighborhood have installed, and which materials would work best in your setting. This level of expertise can only be achieved by teams who are intimately familiar with their communities and take the time to invest in them.
At Butte Fence, you can rest assured you’ll find that with us. We’ve been in business since 1994 and for nearly 30 years, we’ve dedicated our time to providing quality services that local residents can trust. In addition to Treasure and Magic Valleys, we’re also proud to serve Southeastern Oregon and Northern Nevada.
If you’re researching a fence installation company in your area, start by asking them about their experience. A few of the top questions to ask include:
- How long have you worked in this area?
- How long have you been in the fencing industry?
- How many projects have you completed that are similar to mine?
You can use these answers to gauge how well-established the team is, and the level of commitment you can expect moving forward.
Ensure Business Legitimacy
It’s all too easy for someone to make a DIY website and claim to be one of the best fence installers in your area. However, you never want to trust just anyone to visit and work at your home.
A quick and easy way to check if a business is legitimate or not is to ask for their business license number. This number is granted by their state’s Licensing Board for General Contractors and ensures that they’ve taken the steps required to establish a credible business.
You can also check to see if they hold a license with their state’s Public Works department. This is a quick step, but one that can save you a ton of headaches down the road.
Ask About Employee Training and Credentials
Another one of our top tips for choosing a fence installer? Make sure to gather plenty of information about the team members who will be visiting your home.
You want to make sure they’re not only polite and professional, but that they’re qualified and certified to perform the work you’ve hired them to do. You can start by requesting information on the company’s training policies and procedures.
This should be a simple question to answer. Reputable fence installation companies are eager to tell you how skilled and experienced their team members are. They won’t hesitate to explain how they vet their employee credentials or the type of training program that new hires are required to complete.
Our team at Butte Fence consists of more than 30 full-time employees. In addition, we also employ 10 to 15 subcontractors to help us complete our projects. We thoroughly vet each person’s education, employment history, criminal history, and references before making a hiring decision.
We also invest in their ongoing education, helping them achieve industry certifications and ensuring all team members complete a required safety training program. If the company you speak with doesn’t want to discuss those details, then find one who is willing to be more forthcoming. You can’t afford to hire unqualified and unprofessional workers who won’t know how (or be willing) to get the job done.
Check Product Selection
It can be disheartening to find a fence company that checks all of your boxes in terms of credibility and experience, yet doesn’t have the exact type of fencing that you need.
Before you go any further, ask them to explain all of their offerings in detail. They should be able to describe the types of materials they have available, as well as their process for obtaining any type of fencing that you need but don’t see on their list.
Their product list should be fairly long and varied, with enough options for every homeowner to find the perfect solution. Most of the time, this information will be available on the company’s website. For instance, you can learn all about our different fences online.
We are proud to offer an extensive list of materials designed to meet any need and budget. This includes:
- Vinyl fencing
- Wood fencing
- Ornamental iron fencing
- Concrete stone fencing
In addition to different materials, we can also install fences in a variety of designs. For example, privacy fences are best for homeowners who want to contain small pets and children, expand their outdoor space, and protect their properties from intruders. These types of fences are usually between four and six feet tall and don’t include any gaps or space.
In addition to privacy fences, we also offer:
- Picket fences
- Agricultural fences
- Chain link fences
Ask any team you contact to give you the details on their full product list. If you’re looking for a specific material or design and don’t see it, be sure to check.
Think About Extras
While you’ve got fences on your mind, you might not be thinking too much about the other elements of your backyard or patio area. However, it can help if these elements all look cohesive and blend beautifully into one another.
To that end, check to see what other types of products the company can offer. If you want a new deck down the road, will they be able to help you with that project? What about a pergola or a dock?
If a company only builds fences, that’s not necessarily a red flag. However, it is helpful to think about the long-term plans you have for your outdoor space. In addition to fencing, we can provide and install:
- Boat docks
- Gates and arbors
- Custom decks
- Porch railings
- Patio covers
- Custom pergolas
- Custom gazebos
The right installations can elevate the look of your yard and enhance your landscaping. It helps to hire the same company for similar projects such as these, helping you achieve a cohesive and seamless look.
See Real-Life Examples
Anyone can say anything online. Before hiring a fence installer, ask if you can see images of past work that they’ve completed. Bonus points if it’s similar to the project you have in mind for your own home!
Again, this information may be readily available to you online. Most fence companies are happy to share before-and-after pictures of the work their teams have accomplished.
Check to ensure the images are professional-quality and aren’t too blurry. They shouldn’t appear to be edited or altered in any way.
Want to go straight to the source? You can find images of our past work in our Fences Gallery! We’ve divided the gallery into categories based on the different types of fences we offer, so you can go right to the one you want to learn more about.
Feel free to click on an individual picture to enlarge it. From there, you can click through to see the full gallery, along with a short description of each image at the bottom.
What’s even better than pictures on a screen? The chance to see the fencing products for yourself in person! We have showrooms at our new Meridian and Twin Falls facilities, where you can find a wide variety of products and materials on display.
We encourage you to check these showrooms out to see for yourself what sets Butte Fence apart from the rest. Our team members are on hand to answer any questions you might have and explain more about our services.
Get a Quote
If you’re wondering how to choose fence installers, price shouldn’t be the only factor that you consider. Other elements, such as certifications and experience, should play into your decision as well.
Still, you want to select a company that will fit comfortably within your budget. If you over-spend on the labor and materials, you could find that you don’t have the bandwidth to complete the project to its full extent. Or, you might wind up sacrificing a landscape feature that you really wanted as you attempt to re-allocate the funds.
Be wary of any fencing company that tries to sell you on a project before they’ve been out to your property. It’s nearly impossible to provide an accurate quote without seeing the space first.
Our team will visit any home that’s located within 100 miles of our location. We’ll walk around the property, meet with you to discuss your goals and vision for your fencing project, and provide you with a written estimate.
We understand that you need to keep your finances in mind as you plan your fencing project. That’s why we routinely offer sales and promotions to help make your endeavor more affordable.
Read Reviews
Next, let’s talk about reviews. While each person’s opinion is unique, it can help to read about the type of experience that others have had before you invest in a company yourself.
According to one study, about 90% of people read reviews before making a purchase. In today’s Digital Age, it’s easier than ever to hop online and see what others are saying about a product or service.
If you search Google for “best fence installers near me”, you should see a list of the top-rated companies in your area. The first few listings will appear together at the top, beside a map of your region.
When you click on the company’s name, it will take you to their Google Business Profile. Here, you can learn basic information about the company, including contact details, operating hours, and more. You can also read reviews and testimonials right within the profile.
If you want to hear from more perspectives, you can also check to see if the fence company has shared any reviews on its website or social media profiles. We make this step easy for you and proudly display ours directly on our Testimonials page.
As you read each person’s feedback, look for common themes. No two will be alike, but you should be able to discern if the team is prompt, professional, and reliable (or vice versa). If everyone is complaining about the slow wait time or the inexperience of the crew members, continue your search elsewhere.
Choose Fence Installers You Can Trust
If you’ve decided to add a fence to your property, you deserve to trust your project to the very best. This is an eye-catching installation that can enhance your home if it’s done the right way.
With this guide, you’re one step closer to finding the best fence installers in your area. If you live in or around Treasure Valley or Magic Valley, we’d love to be that resource for you. We’re always ready to talk about your project and answer any questions you have.
Contact our team today and let’s get started!