Here are some things to think about before you choose a Tampa fence contractor.
Get Three Estimates
Get at least three estimates before signing a contract for fence installation. You will learn a lot from talking to three different estimators about pricing and options.
Check Licenses
Fence contractors may still need licenses in to operate in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Additionally, municipalities within these counties may have their own licensing requirements. Each jurisdiction usually has a publicly accessible database where you can check on the licenses for an individual contractor.
Note that a Florida state statute (section 163.21) that went into effect on July 1, 2021, will simplify local contractor licensing rules for certain “non-structural” contractors, which includes fence contractors. This statute will eliminate nearly all local contractor licenses by 2023 and require state issued licenses for certain types of contractors.
Check Reviews
The reputation of your fence contractor in your community is more important as compared to their industry experience. Requesting the names of at least three different references in your neighborhood that have installed a fence from that installer is a good way to assess an installer’s reputation.
Check their online reviews on multiple websites such as Google, Yelp, Facebook and BBB. Be on the lookout for fake five star reviews that have been used to bury negative reviews.
Professional Accreditation
Check to see if your fence installer belongs to professional associations such as the American Fence Association.
Written Estimates and Contracts
All of your fence estimates should be provided in writing and detail the cost of materials and labor. The estimate should also detail the expected time to complete the fence installation. Be sure to ask who will be responsible for obtaining a building permit for the fence, if necessary. An itemized breakdown of the costs will help you compare them to other options. A detailed estimate should also serve as the contract. For legitimate contractors this should not be an issue.
A detailed contract will protect both you and the contractor from any potential conflicts. If the scope of the project and post construction cleanup is outlined beforehand you will know what to expect.
Check the Warranty Offered by the Contractor
Most fence contractors will have at least a basic warranty on their workmanship. You want a contractor that will fix any issues after the job is completed. A quality contractor should do a final walkthrough with you in order to inspect your fence, and fix any issues you notice.
If you get a wood or chain link fence installed your contractor will probably provide the warranty on workmanship.
Vinyl and ornamental fence manufacturers offer warranties for manufacturing defects in their products. This will be the separate from the warranty offered by a manufacturer.
With this information in mind I hope you can make your search easier for a quality fencing quality contractor. If you only do business with legitimate contractors you can avoid lots of problems.
