We all have dreams of DIY, but sometimes it’s just more practical to bring in help. If you decide to hire help to setup your aluminum fences, here are some tips to help you find the right people for the job.
No matter the type of fencing chosen for your project, finding the right person to install your fence or gate is an important decision. So, what is the best way to decide what type of installation is needed, and how do you go about avoiding potential rogue traders?
In this article we’ll be exploring some of the ways to find the best fence installer for you.
Know Your Fence
When selecting the right fence for your project, the first consideration you almost certainly made was the material of choice for your specific requirements. Whether you’re a wrought iron traditionalist, a secure steel supporter, or a conscientious aluminum fence fan, the pros and cons of the material selected was probably a driving force behind your informed purchase.
Understanding for example, that steel or wrought iron requires heavy lifting, where as aluminum is lightweight, or that many metals require treatment or maintenance, compared to aluminum’s rust resistance, are all key factors that will impact on the type of installation you’ll need for your project.
To DIY or not to DIY?
The decision for who should install your fence is a choice that goes hand-in-hand with knowing your fencing type, as well as your own practical skills and knowledge of the various techniques which may be required during the project.
Unless you have specialized skills, you may have selected aluminum fencing for its easy DIY installation. However, if you have a sudden crisis in confidence or your project scale is large, considering obtaining external help may be your best solution.
While it is also definitely possible to install a more traditional steel or wrought iron fence yourself, unless the panels are quite small, and you have a strong back, you may need more specialised equipment to get your project off the ground — quite literally, as iron and steel are 2.5x denser than aluminum!
Budget may also be a contributing factor as to whether you decide to roll up your sleeves or not. On tighter budgets, you may have to either complete the whole project yourself, or at the very least, do a large amount of the prep work to save on labor costs.
You may also have underestimated on costing; for example, a wrought iron fence is a lot more expensive per panel than aluminum and also far trickier and heavier to ship. If this is the case for you, not to worry, there are plenty of top tips and guides out there to have you fencing like a pro in no time.
Hiring a Professional
If you decide the best route is to hire a professional, there are also a whole host of tips and tricks to ensure you end up with a perfect outcome, right on budget.
The first tip would be to do your research. Understanding the price range that you might expect to pay per day or per project is a sure-fire way to dodge overpriced tradesmen or even help secure you a better fee.
Being able to confidently inform your proposed professional of the prices for installation in your area will often ensure you gain a competitive price for your project.
Once you have selected your chosen contractor, or created a shortlist of some contenders, the next savvy thing to do is research the professional in question.
Are they licensed, or do they have the correct certification for your state or area? Questions like these will help you weed out the scammers, and help guarantee a professional who cares just as much about your project as you do. Checking the tradesman’s scores on review websites will also give you a better insight as to the quality of work they produce. If a large proportion of customers were unhappy with their results, it may be best to move onto the next professional on your list.
Lastly, consider the person you’re hiring. After all, depending on the scale of your project, the workman may be spending some time in close proximity to you and your family. If you don’t have a good rapport with them when initially discussing installing your fencing, or don’t have complete trust in letting them be up close-and-personal with your property, then the contractor in question may not be the right fit for you.
Final Thoughts
Depending on the type of fencing you have chosen, you may be in for more of a project than you first considered. Hiring a professional can be taxing and expensive, so for many budgets the easy install, high quality, and low maintenance of aluminum fencing is the best option.
Naturally, the choice is up to you and your unique needs, but why pay more for more stress, more financial outlay, for an iron or steel fence, when the results are nearly indistinguishable from affordable, more environmentally friendly aluminum fencing?