Ottawa Fence Companies: How to Pick the Right One

Meta description: Here are some indications that show you which Ottawa fence companies to avoid.

Not all Ottawa fence companies are good. In fact, a few can be downright suspicious. So you may want to think about working with another fence company when you encounter any of the following red flags:

1.       They don’t have a website. In this day and age, that’s a real concern because just about every legitimate business has it’s own website.

2.       They don’t have an actual office. Without an office, it’s very difficult to verify the legitimacy of a contractor.

3.       They ask that you make out your payments to an individual. That may mean that they’re unlicensed, which is really risky for you. You’ll have to settle with substandard work, and you’ll also be accountable if any worker suffers an injury while working on your property.

4.       You’re asked to pay in cash. This is a common tactic of questionable fencing companies, as cash is just about impossible to track. Protect yourself by paying with your credit card or a check.

5.       They tell you to pay upfront in full. You’re supposed to make the final payment only when you’re totally satisfied with the result. Even those who ask for an upfront deposit usually only ask for 10%.

6.       They don’t have documentation of their company’s insurance coverage. That’s a sign they don’t have insurance at all.

7.       There’s a pending legal action against the contractor. Their case may cause them stop working on your fence before it is completed. That would be a major inconvenience for you, as you’ll be forced to either get another fence company or finish the job yourself.

8.       They don’t have references. Either they’re new or they don’t have anyone among their previous who’s willing to recommend them.

9.       There’s no firm written contract. This is no time for a handshake deal. The contract must contain an itemized list of fees and costs. It should specify when the job will start and end, what the responsibilities of the fence companies are, when payments are due, and to whom the payments should be rendered.

10.   They use subcontractors for the entire job. That gives the contractor (and you) less control over the quality of the fencing and the timeliness of the work.

11.   They’re not a member of any professional association or affiliation. You’ll want a company that is affiliated with the right groups because that’s a sign that their references and background check out.

12.   They don’t offer any warranties on their actual installation work. Good companies have warranties for at least 2 years. Some even offer up to 5 years.

13.   They don’t have the pertinent info and documentation you need when you ask for it. These things should be ready at all times.

So there you have it. We have at least 13 signs of a company you may want to avoid. Save yourself the trouble and go with Ottawa fence companies who pass through these checks with flying colours