If you’re considering building a new fence or replacing an old one, of course you’re going to get a few quotes and compare fencing contractors to see what each has to offer. But what are the important questions to ask when doing so? Here we outline the things you need to know and why they are important, so you can be sure to make the right decision and get the best value for money.

1. Do you offer a guarantee?

You don’t want to invest in a fence and then have it fail, only to discover you have no guarantee or a limited guarantee. Never assume that a fencing contractor offers a guarantee on their workmanship. Some do and others do not. Some contractors just offer a limited guarantee.

For example, the materials guarantee may be limited for only certain conditions and not for others, such as wear from exposure to the elements. Some fencing contractors might warrant only their materials others might just cover their workmanship and still other contractors will guarantee both workmanship and materials. The length of the guarantee can also significantly range.

You can see why it is important to understand what type of guarantee is being offered. You want to get the guarantee in writing that states what is covered and for how long. Then you know exactly where you stand should you have issues with the materials or workmanship.

Look for a contractor who stands behind both the materials and workmanship with a guarantee that lasts a significant amount of time – about two years is good.

2. Are the fittings used rust-proof as well as the panels/slats?

This important question is often overlooked. Rust is a fence’s number one enemy. Most fencing contractors will readily tell you about their rust-proof aluminium or galvanised rust-proof steel posts and panels, but what about the smaller elements that keep the fence together?

We cannot stress enough how important it is to make sure your fencing contractor is using rust proof fittings as well. This includes screws, welds, hinges, panels, latches, poles, etc. Using fittings that are not rust proof will ultimately cause your fence to fail.

3. Are your fabricators trade certified?

Some fencing contractors will have owners who are trade certified but will hire cheaper unskilled labourers to do the actual work to boost their profit. When you hire a fencing contractor, you want to make sure that the people who will be building your fence are skilled tradesmen too. If they aren’t experienced welders, fabricators or metal-workers, you run the risk of finding yourself with an expensive fence that isn’t built to spec, or worse, collapses with the first strong wind.

By ensuring fabricators are properly certified, you know that you are getting highly skilled people building your fence, which means you get a strong, durable fence, that looks great and is constructed the way you want it.

4. Do you have insurance for your installers when they are on my property?

If your fencing contractor has adequate insurance, incidents such as injuries or property damage can be handled properly. Both you and the tradesmen will be protected. However, if the fencing contractor has inadequate insurance or no insurance, you as the homeowner can be liable. Don’t put the risk on yourself; instead make sure the contractor carries adequate insurance.

5. Where do you source your materials?

It’s always safest to ensure Australian materials are used, because foreign materials might not meet Australian building and safety standards. Yes, materials sourced from overseas can cost less, but many times, they are a much lower quality than local materials.

When your fence is built using quality product, you know that it will stand up and maintain its beauty for years to come. Saving a few dollars on materials and then having a fence that starts to rapidly deteriorate doesn’t make sense. You'll end up with additional material costs for repairs and labour costs. That’s why it’s important to ask your fencing contractor where the materials they use come from.

About the Author

Ricky Hee is Managing Director of Fencemakers, a leading provider of Gates and Fencing in Perth, Western Australia. Fencemakers design, manufacture and install high quality steel and aluminium fencing and gates for both residential and commercial premises offering custom designs as well as tubular, slat, panel, picket and high security styles. Fencemakers offer a two year guarantee on all of their fencing and gates.