Every day you will see them. The people who just watched some home improvement show or cracked open a magazine and got the bright idea that it is just that easy to do whatever project that they just saw. They don’t realize that most of the hosts are experienced and licensed contractors, decorators and other professionals. And they must have forgotten that for the most part the work is done by great swarming herds of people so that it really does look simple. Sure, you buy sections of wooden fencing, usually 6’ wide. But now what, smarty? How do you take you great big pile of wood sections turn into a standing, sturdy wooden fence? If you are smart at all the first tool you pick up is a telephone. That’s right, call a professional.
Why you should hire a pro:
- Wood is not as forgiving of errors as steel or aluminum. You hammer or screw something in the wrong way and you could split the wood making it useless.
- If you do not install the fence correctly you run the risk of it falling over and causing property or bodily damage.
- Your fencing’s installation may not be up to city code and could cost you a fine every day until it is satisfactory.
Hiring the wood fence installer:
- Get referrals from lumber supply stores, contractors or other professionals
- Check for licensing, certification or other validation of their skills
- Check for crew size; this is not a one person operation
- Make sure that the installer’s work will be in compliance with California zoning code.
- Ask for an estimate of both cost and time and get both in writing
- Ask for references and be sure to check them thoroughly.
Once you hire the installer make sure that he has full access the yard without interference from pets, children or nosy neighbors. Also make sure that you have the right building permits if they are needed for fence installation in California. If you are not on good terms with your neighbors then make sure you have the full legal rights, to install this particular type of fence and its exact placement before the contractor even arrives. There is nothing worse than getting nearly to the end of a project and then finding out that it all must be taken back down.