Updated September 15, 2020
Do-it-yourself projects around your home are very often rewarding and cost-effective ways to improve your property. However, as Fort Collins residential fences experts can tell you, there’s plenty that can go wrong when installing your own fence that can cause you to go over budget and spend entirely too much time on a less-than-satisfactory product.
This is not to discourage you from attempting home improvement projects around the house or disrespect your DIY prowess. There are certainly numerous projects that could bring about just the end result you want. But as a homeowner, you need to be aware of what could go wrong in a fencing DIY project, and why you should consider hiring professionals to at least help you with the job.
Before you start your next fencing project, with professional help or otherwise, you should consider a few things.
First, know why you want a fence in the first place. Do you value your privacy? Are you near a busy street and want to cut down on traffic noise? Do you have small children or pets who might wander off when playing outside? Determining the reasons behind your fence will help you make other decisions about fencing materials, height, and length.
Check out this article on choosing your fence.
You should also consider the maintenance work you’ll be doing on your fence once it’s completed. The prototypical white picket fence is usually made of wood, which requires more maintenance than other materials because the slats and posts can warp and rot over time if not properly maintained.
After you know what you’re getting yourself into and what you want, consider hiring Fort Collins residential fences experts.
Reasons Why Hiring a Fort Collins Residential Fences Professional is Worth it
1. Cost
The first reason stems from a common misconception by DIY fencers. Many DIY-ers swear by their obsession with hand tools and paint because they believe it’s cheaper to complete home projects (like installing a fence) themselves than hiring professionals. While it’s certainly possible to build your fence for less than a professional would do it, you almost certainly need experience in this work to complete it will at a cheaper cost.
A professional job is much cheaper and faster than an inexperienced fence install. Have you ever tried to draw perfectly straight lines on a field for a pick-up game? Simply building a consistent and straight fence is difficult, let alone digging the post holes and hammering in the fence planks. The right fence installation company will go over the cost with you and help you make the right decision for your budget.
2. Correct Installation
The next reason is a simple concept: you can trust the fence will be installed correctly the first time. This ties into the first reason because an improperly installed fence is a quick way to go over-budget. Do your homework and find a quality fence installation team in your area so you can trust them to build your fence correctly. You’ll save yourself money and the headache of wondering if your fence will last and do its job properly.
Fencing experts also know the best materials for each scenario. So if you tell them why you want to install your fence where you want it, they’ll suggest the materials that will be the easiest to maintain and will stand up to the fierce northern Colorado winter (and fall, and spring, and summer, for that matter). The last thing you want is a fence that starts to rot at the first sign of moisture.
3. Easy Maintenance
The final main reason for hiring professionals to install your fence is that you can expect easy maintenance once it’s installed. Reputable professionals make it easy for their customers to keep their fences clean and structurally sound.
If there’s ever an issue with your fence and you need to have it repaired, you can call up your installers for repair work you can count on. Usually, fencing companies will help you out if something unexpected happens to your fence. Also, since your fence installers used the best-possible materials and their expertise the first time around, you won’t have to worry about premature maintenance tasks. Fencing specialists will also usually discuss the best maintenance tips when you choose your fence and materials.
4. It Requires More Expertise than You May Think
Attractive, modern fences often use a mix of materials and require skill and experience to install masterfully. You may need to be well-versed in mortaring, carpentry, welding, and metalworking. In fact, even the simplest fence can be a hassle to install. Fence installation is by no means simple, and there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong.
For example, professionals will accurately measure every part of your fence. However, if you’re off by even a fraction of an inch, that inaccuracy will be magnified down the line of your fence. It’s all too easy to end up with a lopsided or uneven fence.
5. It’s Hard Labor
Let’s face it—fence installation is hard work. You’re out in the elements doing backbreaking work. Fencing materials can be quite heavy, and digging postholes is no one’s idea of fun. There’s ample opportunity to injure yourself as well. Wouldn’t you rather be inside relaxing or spending time with your family? When you use a professional fencing installer, someone else gets to do the hard work.
6. Professionals Have Access to Better Materials
If you try to erect a fence yourself, you’re going to have to choose, purchase, and haul your own materials. You’ll be limited to what you can get in a home improvement store and probably won’t be able to buy direct from a fencing manufacturer.
On the other hand, if you choose a professional fence installation service, they’ll have access to a wider variety and better quality of materials. You’ll be able to work with your fencing contractor to secure the exact type and style of fence you want. You can even get custom features and decorative elements that would be difficult or impossible to obtain on your own.
7. You Can Get a Good Warranty
If you go the do-it-yourself route with your fence, there are no guarantees. You might be able to get a short warranty on the materials themselves, but there is nothing backing up the quality of the workmanship or installation. If you overlooked a detail or made a mistake, you may have to start the job from scratch.
Of course, if the installation is done by a professional fencing company, then the work will include a warranty. The best companies even offer multi-year guarantees. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that if something goes wrong, it will be made right.
5 Rules for Finding the Right Professional Fence Company
While you may know the value of hiring the pros, picking out a fence company can be a difficult process due to the sheer amount of companies and differing rates. While prices seem like a definite starting point, they don’t always determine the actual quality of the work that will get done. Your fence is going to have to blend into your landscaping and stand as a lasting structure on your property.
You should pick out a company that will build a fence that suits your needs. The following are some rules you should follow when picking the right company.
1. Never Base Your Decision on the Quote
Money isn’t everything, as the saying goes, and you shouldn’t base your decision solely on the price of the job that will be performed. This is the number one rule because the differences between individual fencing companies go beyond the price.
2. Services Should Be Personal
This almost goes without saying, but you should choose a fence company that will work with you as an individual. Sometimes different companies will go for quantity over quality, and your project will be treated as a number. You might even end up with something completely different from what you asked for.
3. Timelines
Work with a company that adheres to the previously placed schedule, obviously accounting for weather and other incidents that might delay construction. Companies should come up with a clear schedule that shows the project from its start to completion. Simple fencing repairs usually last a day, but larger projects could last up to a week.
4. Guarantees and Offers
A fence company should work to create a lasting relationship with its customers. Most often, that means giving a guarantee for completed projects, which means there will be free repairs if something goes wrong. However, the company could also provide offers such as discounts on repairs or replacements in the future as the new fence is worn down over time.
5. Look Out for Any Signs of Potential Problems
Your intuition is a lot more valuable than you think. Many people get a gut feeling right off the bat, but go through with a project anyway out of guilt or resistance towards those feelings. While being critical of your doubts is a good thing, you should not be afraid to back out if you feel like something is wrong.
A fence is the visible border for your back yard and blends into the landscaping to create a cohesive yard. It helps provide a sense of privacy and safety to the yard as it protects from onlookers and animals that would try to get in. Fences wear down over time and eventually you will need to hire a fence company for maintenance.
Choosing a fencing company can be hard work because there is a lot of competition in the industry. However, if you pay attention to the above rules, then you should be able to weed them out and get the fence company you can trust for the project at hand.
Professional Help Matters
Again, don’t be afraid to try some DIY projects around your home, but fencing is more complicated than it seems. Consider hiring professionals to get a fence guaranteed to last and give you want you want for your property.
Have questions or want to get a quote for your fence project? Contact Altitude Fence and Deck today.