How to Find a Fence Company in Cedar Rapids, IA

Now that you’ve decided to install a fence around your home or business, the next step is finding the right contractor for the job. There’s no shortage of fence companies in Cedar Rapids, IA—so how do you determine which one is best? Which ones have the best practices for safety alongside product reliability? Is there a specific company that specializes in the type of fence you’re interested in? As the customer, you are of course mindful of end costs, but there’s much more to consider.

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Answer the following questions before Googling “fence companies in Cedar Rapids, IA”:

1. What type of fence do I need? Some fence companies specialize in a particular fence type—say, wood—while others encompass a whole spectrum of materials: vinyl, chain link, ornamental, etc. Ask yourself how flexible you want to be in terms of design. Some contractors give you set patterns to choose from; others employ expert fabricators who can manufacture fence panels from custom designs.
2. How soon from now do you want your fence installed? The best fence companies in Cedar Rapids tend to be those whose services are in demand. Don’t be surprised if you make a few calls and find the most reputable contractors have lead times of four to eight weeks. Making a plan in advance and allowing yourself a window of several weeks—or even months—will make the process less stressful.
3. Should I be alarmed over higher bids? Just because two contractors can build the same type of fence—the same material, height, style, etc.—doesn’t necessarily mean their bids will be identical. As the customer, you might impulsively favor the lower of the two bids, but consider the following. Contractors that charge more are likely fence companies of higher standing—ones with significant operational costs designed to promote quality, ones that offer perks such as warranty. High-end contractors also employ full-time sales and project management teams to ensure you receive the best customer service possible. In short: the reason behind a higher bid could benefit you in the long run.
4. Do you want to work with a fence company in Cedar Rapids that subcontracts labor? Some fence companies in Cedar Rapids hire second parties to handle processes such as fabrication and installation. Some customers prefer all work be handled by the company they’re dealing with—as it promises smoother continuity long-term.
5. What is each company’s safety policy? A good Cedar Rapids fence contractor employs installers well-versed in OSHA standards and wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). PPE includes a safety vest, gloves, boots, and protective goggles. Similarly, the best companies teach their staff to place cones and wheel chokes around their motor vehicles upon arriving.
6. Do you need financing options? A good fence contractor has arrangements with financial institutions. Don’t be afraid to ask if they have options on financing.
7. Does your fence company provide proof of insurance? Although insurance is typically considered in the aftermath of an incident, it is important to consider factors such as these in advance. Be sure to ask your fence company in Cedar Rapids to show you proof of workers’ compensation, auto insurance, and general liability. If an accident occurs on your property during installation and there is no contractor-supplied insurance, the injured party might seek compensation through your homeowner’s policy.

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How to Find a Good Fence Company in Cedar Rapids, IA

Now that you’ve answered the above questions, search for the ideal fence contractor using the following method:

1. Google “Fence Companies in Cedar Rapids, IA.” A simple internet search will turn out a list of fence company websites. Note that the companies whose websites appear on the first search results page tend to be ones who 1) have been in operation longest 2) have the most experienced staff 3) put a lot of work in getting Google to notice and favor them. A first-page ranking indicates these contractors take themselves, their work, and their reputation seriously.
2. Check out each company’s website. In addition to scouring product galleries, take a few minutes to look at web pages regarding financing, brick-and-mortar locations, and the pages titled About Us. This is where each company tells you about themselves (how long they’ve been in business, for example) and makes “bragging statements.” After reading this page, you should know how they sell themselves—what makes them unique from their competition.
3. Back to Google. Once you find a few favorable Cedar Rapids fence companies, Google each one individually. This brings up specific pages and internet data—including Google reviews. Here you can read first-hand accounts from people who’ve worked with or for them in the past. When it comes to the less-than-perfect reviews (the ones that didn’t achieve the coveted five-star rating), see what complaints the customer had to make—and, more importantly, see if the fence company bothered to write a response. Even professionals make mistakes, but how they go about resolving mistakes is part of what distinguishes a great fence company from a mediocre one.
4. Check out their facilities. After narrowing down the list to a handful of fence companies in Cedar Rapids (say, 1-3), it’s time to check out their individual facilities. How well-maintained are their grounds? Do they have a healthy stock of materials on site? Are their vehicles in good condition? Is someone around to assist you and answer questions? In summary: is the fence company as professional as its website alleges?
5. Make a few phone calls. Set up appointments with the fence companies in Cedar Rapids who really impressed you. Company-customer engagement is a positive sign to look for. Is the person answering the phone simply trying to get your information to provide a quote? Any company that does this at the start—without sitting down to discuss the project first—is not working with customer satisfaction first and foremost in mind.
6. Professionalism. First impressions are huge. By this point, you should have met at least one sales representative. How did they engage with you? Were they forthcoming and friendly, answering questions thoroughly, verifying priorities for your fence project? Look at the proposals given to you—how detailed are the specifications, dimensional layouts, pricing options, terms and conditions, etc.?
7. Price. Of course, pricing—and whether or not it can be accommodated in your budget—is a major determining factor in which fence company you end up hiring. While you should never ask a contractor match a lower bid, be sure to communicate what you can spend, and subtly notify them they are now the lowest bid you’ve received. This is the polite, professional way to bring up lower pricing.

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