When hiring a fence contractor, you want to ensure you are getting the best value for your money and that the job is done right. But beyond the standard questions about cost and timeline, there is a lot more you can ask to get a better sense of who you are hiring.
To know the questions to ask your fence contractor, I have provided you with a list of 30 questions that range from practical to witty questions that have been designed to help you gauge the contractor’s expertise, personality, and approach to the job.
Want to Know About A Fence Contractor’s Professionalism? Here Are 30 Questions To Ask A Fence Contractor
- Are you licensed and insured, or should I start subscribing to ‘DIY fencing’ tutorials?
- How long have you been building fences? Long enough to know which side the nails go on.
- What types of fences do you specialize in? Or are you more of a jack-of-all-fences, master of none?
- Can you show me photos of your previous work, or should I trust your Instagram filters?
- What’s your timeline for completing the job? And can we get that in dog years?
- Do you offer a warranty, or is it more of a ‘cross your fingers and hope for the best’ situation?
- What kind of maintenance does this fence require? Or is it like that treadmill in the corner—good intentions, no follow-through?
- Will you handle the permits, or do I need to charm the city council with cookies?
- How do you deal with unexpected issues during installation? Panic, pray, or power through?
- What kind of wood do you use, and will it outlast my interest in the latest Netflix series?
- How do you ensure the fence won’t lean over time? Do you have a secret handshake with gravity?
- Will the fence be sturdy enough to survive a neighborhood game of tag, or should I start building a backup plan?
- Do you recommend a specific height for the fence, or should I just guess based on my neighbors’ privacy level?
- What’s your process for ensuring the fence is secure against potential break-ins? Or is it more of a ‘keep out the bunnies’ kind of deal?
- Can you handle special requests, like adding a gate for my secret garden? Or should I start learning how to dig one myself?
- How do you ensure the fence looks good on both sides? Or is my side going to be the ‘less photogenic’ one?
- Will you remove the old fence, or is that my new weekend workout plan?
- How do you ensure the posts are stable in different weather conditions?
- Can you build a fence that can handle my dog’s digging hobby, or is this a losing battle?
- What’s the strangest request you’ve ever received for a fence project? Asking for a friend.
- What’s your experience with different soil types? Will my sandy yard make you break out in a sweat?
- How do you ensure the fence posts won’t shift over time? Cement, magic, or a little bit of both?
- How do you ensure the fence is straight? Are we talking lasers, or is it more of a ‘trust me, it’s fine’ approach?
- How do you handle tricky terrain?
- What’s your policy on cleaning up after the job? Will I need to host a post-fence construction yard sale?
- What’s the cost estimate, and how many surprise charges are we talking about here?
- Can you match the fence to my house’s paint, or are we going for the ‘it’s unique’ excuse?
- During the project, how do you deal with inclement weather? Do you prefer to “wait it out till it gets better” or do you have a “rain or shine” policy?
- Will you be using screws or nails? And which one is more resistant to my kids’ soccer balls?
- How do you keep the fence level?
Now that you have a list of questions to ask your fence contractor, let us break down why each one matters and how to use them effectively in your discussions.
1. Are you licensed and insured, or should I start subscribing to ‘DIY fencing’ tutorials?
One witty way to ask about their professional credentials while hinting at the possibility of taking matters into your own hands if they’re not up to the task is using this light-hearted question to inquire about their professionalism. It is a great way to know if they are the man for the job without offense.
2. How long have you been building fences? Long enough to know which side the nails go on?
If a fence contractor is being recommended to you and you want to know how much experience they have garnered in their field, there are professional ways to go about it.
“How long have you been building fences? “Long enough to know which side the nails go on?” is a witty question that plays on their basic abilities and asks about their experience while also building a cordial rapport right away.
3. What types of fences do you specialize in? Or are you more of a jack-of-all-fences, master of none?
Sometimes it might be burdensome to pick from the array of referrals of fence contractors that is in your DM. However, there is a smart approach to knowing the right person to hire. The above question is a creative way to inquire about their expertise in specific fencing styles.
4. Can you show me photos of your previous work, or should I trust your Instagram filters?
If you need their portfolio, you can question the authenticity of their portfolio(in a humorous way) while requesting evidence of past projects with the above witty question. It’s a creative way of telling them to show you proof of their work.
5. What’s your timeline for completing the job? And can we get that in dog years?
When you want to know the deadline for completing the project, you can use the idiomatic expression to make such an inquiry. It is a playful twist on asking for a project timeline, with a reference to pet owners who might be eager for their yards to be secure.
6. Do you offer a warranty, or is it more of a ‘cross your fingers and hope for the best’ situation?
I don’t know about anybody else but I love being sarcastic around my employees because I feel like it is the best way to get them to answer my questions without being awkward. You also might want to establish that relaxed atmosphere with the fence collector you are about to hire while getting to ask questions about the project.
“Do you offer a warranty, or is it more of a ‘cross your fingers and hope for the best’ situation?” is another vital question to ask about the job.
7. What kind of maintenance does this fence require? Or is it like that treadmill in the corner—good intentions, no follow-through?
Don’t get dazed or stuck about questions. Another question you can ask a fence contractor you want to hire is humorously asking about maintenance, and comparing it to common household items that often go unused. The fence contractor gets the joke and also provides an answer to the witty question.
8. Will you handle the permits, or do I need to charm the city council with cookies?
It’s also crucial to know who handles the permits. If you want to get the right answer, inquire by using the above smart question to know who’s responsible for obtaining the necessary permits.
9. How do you deal with unexpected issues during installation? Panic, pray, or power through
Regardless of what a fence contractor might have written down in his portfolio, one might not still be convinced about his professionalism. It is however important to be sure of their problem-solving skills as it is also a criterion for the job.
Want to know about that? Then use the above question in a witty way to ask about problem-solving skills on the job.
10. What kind of wood do you use, and will it outlast my interest in the latest Netflix series?
If you are like my dad who doesn’t only employ workers but also is particular about the products they use, then I have got a product inquiry question you can use on your next meeting with a fence contractor “What kind of wood do you use, and will it outlast my interest in the latest Netflix series” is a funny question to test the material durability they want to use.
Also, it makes a witty comparison of material durability to the fleeting nature of binge-watching habits.
11. How do you ensure the fence won’t lean over time? Do you have a secret handshake with gravity?
If you have no idea about fencing and you still want to get the best of them, then I implore you to use question no 11. This question addresses the long-term stability of your fence.
You want to make sure the contractor uses techniques and materials that will keep your fence standing straight for years.
If they mention deep post holes and proper bracing, you’re likely dealing with a pro.
12. Will the fence be sturdy enough to survive a neighborhood game of tag, or should I start building a backup plan?
If you have an active family or frequent visitors, your fence will need to withstand a bit of roughhousing. This question is about ensuring durability and being on the lookout for a solid answer.
If they do have a solid answer, then they are worth hiring.
13. Do you recommend a specific height for the fence, or should I just guess based on my neighbors’ privacy level?
Choosing the right fence height is crucial for both privacy and aesthetic reasons. This question helps you determine what height will best meet your needs.
To know the fence contractor is a professional, ask him the above witty yet expository question. A good contractor will balance your preferences with any local regulations.
14. What’s your process for ensuring the fence is secure against potential break-ins? Or is it more of a ‘keep out the bunnies’ kind of deal?
Don’t get tired of asking many questions that will bring about enlightenment on your path, and that is why to make the question process fun, the above question should be used too.
Security is a top concern for many homeowners, which makes this question a good one to use.
15. Can you handle special requests, like adding a gate for my secret garden? Or should I start learning how to dig one myself?
You can use this question to test the contractor’s flexibility and creativity. If they’re enthusiastic about unique features, then you’ve found someone willing to go the extra mile.
16. How do you ensure the fence looks good on both sides? Or is my side going to be the ‘less photogenic’ one?
Both sides of the fence matter, especially if you share it with a neighbor. Throwing this witty question at them ensures the contractor cares about the aesthetics from all perspectives. Watch out for responses like “double-sided fencing options”, if they say so, you’re in good hands.
17. Will you remove the old fence, or is that my new weekend workout plan?
Fence removal can be a big job. Asking this question helps clarify whether the contractor will handle this task or if it’s something you’ll need to manage.
18. How do you ensure the posts are stable in different weather conditions?
Another question you can ask a fence contractor is “How do you ensure the posts are stable in different weather conditions?.”
Stability is key, especially in areas with varying weather. This question gets to the heart of how well the fence will stand up to the elements.
You should look out for answers that include proper post-setting techniques and weather-resistant materials.
19. Can you build a fence that can handle my dog’s digging hobby, or is this a losing battle?
If you are a pet owner, “Can you build a fence that can handle my dog’s digging hobby, or is this a losing battle?” is a sarcastic yet appropriate question to ask a fence contractor.
I understand that pet owners need a fence that can stand up to their furry friends’ habits. This question addresses the need for a fence that’s not just functional but also pet-proof. Provided they have solutions for preventing digging, you’re likely dealing with a thoughtful contractor.
20. What’s the strangest request you’ve ever received for a fence project? Asking for a friend
This is a fun question to ask, that can reveal a lot about the contractor’s experience and ability to handle unique or unconventional requests. Their response might give you ideas for your project or just confirm that they’ve seen it all.
21. What’s your experience with different soil types? Will my sandy yard make you break out in a sweat?
Ask about their adaptability to various ground conditions. “What’s your experience with different soil types? Will my sandy yard make you break out in a sweat?” Is a creative question to use.
22. How do you ensure the fence posts won’t shift over time? Cement, magic, or a little bit of both?
You can also tailor your question around the durability of the materials they want to use. To do that creatively and intelligently, the above question should be modeled.
23. How do you ensure the fence is straight? Are we talking lasers, or is it more of a ‘trust me, it’s fine’ approach?
How do you determine an expert without being mean? Then the question above is a creative way to go about it. It exposes you to all you need to know about them.
24. How do you handle tricky terrain?
Here is another playful question you can throw at them to know their ability to work on uneven or challenging ground and to measure their level of professionalism.
25. What’s your policy on cleaning up after the job? Will I need to host a post-fence construction yard sale?
“What’s your policy on cleaning up after the job? Will I need to host a post-fence construction yard sale?” is a creative way to know if their company is a structured one and if they have enough departments for your project; which are crucial things you need to know before you hire.
26. What’s the cost estimate, and how many surprise charges are we talking about here?
To avoid unexpected outrageous bills(which are mostly common amongst skilled workers) include questions as seen above. This question will help you avoid unnecessary charges.
27. Can you match the fence to my house’s paint, or are we going for the ‘it’s unique’ excuse?
You can also ask in a light-hearted way about color matching and customization to know if they would deliver a good project for you.
28. During the project, how do you deal with inclement weather? Do you prefer to “wait it out till it gets better” or do you have a “rain or shine” policy?
If you want to know if your fence contractor isn’t one to take a job and be unserious with, “During the project, how do you deal with inclement weather? Do you prefer to “wait it out till it gets better” or do you have a “rain or shine” policy?” funnily question the contractor’s strategy for dealing with weather-related delays.
29. Will you be using screws or nails? Which one can withstand my kids’ soccer balls better?
The next question you can ask them is a practical question about materials and the quality of those materials, and also how safe it is around kids. “Will you be using screws or nails?
Which one can withstand my kids’ soccer balls better? is an intelligent question that makes a lighthearted reference to everyday realities.
30. How do you keep the fence level?
“How do you keep the fence level? is another useful question to ask a fence contractor. It helps you determine their level of precision in the job.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a fence contractor isn’t just about finding someone who can hammer nails into wood. It’s about ensuring you get a high-quality, durable, and aesthetically pleasing fence that meets your needs.
Asking the right mix of practical, humorous, and insightful questions, will help you to gauge the contractor’s expertise, reliability, and willingness to accommodate your unique requirements.
Using this list of 30 questions will help you find the perfect person to bring your fencing vision to life.
