Finding out your contractor is not fulfilling all those promises we confessed upon meeting you the very first time is not unheard of. Many homeowners have been burnt by professional who says one thing but do another. Finding a contractor that does what he says he does is rare so when we were looking into installing a fence we knew we needed to prepare. We needed to ask ourselves if the job should be completed by us without professional, hiring a fence installation professional (praying he does what he promises) or a combination of both.
Yep, you guessed it after being burned enough we decided (in the beginning) to forgo the professional assistance and try this home improvement on our own. The first thing we did to get started is by contacting our local township to look into any local ordinances that may prevent us from using certain fences and materials. We are in an area that is not governed by an HOA but if you are you will also want to check in with them before you begin your project or purchase materials to make yourself aware of any special restrictions.
Where I live we are not under any restriction to the type of fence material we can use, height of fencing, spacing or colors that are acceptable. We are found we are restriction free and may have decorative aluminum, wood, picket or chain link fence. Whatever our hearts desire we can install. I have heard of many neighborhoods allowing wood fencing however not all styles. Picket and split rail wood fences may be allowed but privacy fence not permitted due to a restriction on height.
If your fence is being used to enclose a pool areas you will want to check into that specifically. Even if you do not have any restrictions with a yard fence a fence surrounding a pool is completely different and should be asked about specifically. Installing a pool fence that does not meet your local or state laws can be costly if it has to be removed and a new one reinstalled all because the wrong material was used to enclose the pool.
As I mentioned in the beginning we thought installing a fence on our own would be no big deal however after settling on a fence we loved we knew we were in over our heads. The aluminum decorative fencing we ordered was elaborate and needed professional installation. Being that there are a number of fencing companies available throughout Michigan it is important that our first stop was the BBB in our area. Along with checking in to make sure we were dealing with only people known to be rated as professionals we next went to our family, friends and co-workers to determine if anyone had recently had a fence installed and used one of the BBB recommended professionals. Thankfully one stood out as a reference from a colleague. We were able to determine that the company operated in a manner that was expected in a professional arena.
I contacted them and invited them to our home to meet with them to discuss our expectations and theirs. It is important to make sure when working with any professional in your home that they all of the necessary permits and licenses required for their occupation/business. On top of the reference we already had we asked for several others. It was important to make sure people have all had the same experience with this company that you hope to have. Trust me; any reputable company will be happy to freely give references.
One thing to remember when hiring a professional fence installation company is to know that handymen often offer their services under the caveat that they can do anything. This is however not the case when it comes to fence installation. It is not a one size fits all job. I know we attempted to believe we could do it on our own and quickly learned that fence installers are professionals that know there business. The phrase you get what you pay for is true when it comes to fence installation. The handyman (or your husband) may be cheaper but it will show in the finished product.
Once your instincts and research have helped you choose a business professional you are comfortable with it is time to discuss pricing. Fence installation done by a professional will use several factors in determining their fee. The size of the yard, the material being used, prep time needed and time frame will all work in determining the installation expense. A discount may be offered if you buy the fence from the company installing it however this was not the case in our situation. We found a great deal on the decorative aluminum fence we desired.
Vinyl fence, aluminum fence and wrought iron fencing is low maintenance. Wood fence can often require more effort to maintain. This is something else to consider on top of the installation. Make certain you know exactly what you are getting for your buck. Above all it is important to remind yourself that no matter the expense a fence will improve the value of your home and become the best neighbor you could ever have for privacy and a feeling of personal space within your landscape.