It is indeed true that a fence does a lot for your property’s boundary. It’s most importantly a protector for your family, adds beauty to your home, and even increases the value of your house. For all these reasons, getting it built right is really a lot more important than you’d think.
Nevertheless, it’s almost as trying to find a needle in a haystack when you’re looking for a good wood fence contractor in San Carlos. While some contractors can be called reliable, there are also those who aren’t.
This guide will give you a walk-through on what you are to look out for and what to avoid. By the time you finish reading it, you’ll know how to discern the good ones from the ones which need to be given a skip.
California requires fence contractors to have a C-13 license. This isn’t optional. This is the law.
Some contractors will hand you a city business license instead. That’s not enough. A C-13 license means the state checked them out. It means they passed an exam.
Insurance is mandatory too. Call their insurance company yourself. Don’t just take their word for it. Ask for general liability and workers’ compensation. If someone gets hurt in your yard, you need to know they’re covered. Otherwise, that bill lands on you.
Go to Google, Yelp, and other reliable review websites. Read what people actually said about their experience.
Did they mention the crew showed up on time? Did they talk about the quality of the fence? What did they say about communication?
Negative reviews matter too. Look at how the contractor responded. Did they get defensive? Did they make excuses? Or did they acknowledge the problem and try to fix it? That tells you how they handle complaints.
Look for customers mentioning retaining walls. That means they do more than simple fence jobs.
When someone comes to your yard to measure, pay attention. This is your chance to see if you actually want to work with them.
Ask them about post depth. Most people don’t know this matters. Good contractors explain it. They tell you why they dig a certain depth. They answer without getting annoyed.
Ask what type of wood they use. Ask why. In San Carlos you need wood that handles moisture. A knowledgeable contractor will recommend redwood or something similar.
Ask if they mark utilities before digging. They should say yes immediately. If they hesitate or say it’s not necessary, walk away. Hitting a gas line or electric line ruins your day. It ruins your neighborhood.
Pay attention to how they communicate. Do they listen to you? Do they take notes? And do they ask about problem areas in your yard? Or do they just measure and leave? Good contractors engage. They want to understand your property.
How fast do they get back to you? If you call and they return your call the next day, that’s decent. If it takes a week, that tells you something about how they run their business.
Never hire based on a phone conversation. Never hire based on what someone texted you.
Get a written quote. It should say exactly what you’re getting. The height. The wood type. Linear feet of fence. Labor costs. Material costs. Any extras like removing old fences or building retaining walls.
If a contractor won’t put it in writing, don’t hire them.
Someone quoted you half of what everyone else charges. That’s not a deal. That’s a problem. They’re cutting corners somewhere. Cheap materials. Inexperienced workers. Skipping steps. Remember, underpriced jobs turn into nightmare jobs.
Cash means no paperwork. No receipt. No proof you paid them and no way to dispute anything. Legitimate contractors take checks. They take cards. They give you documentation. If someone wants cash only, they’re hiding something.
You agreed to a price. Halfway through they say the ground is too rocky. They want extra money. That’s unprofessional. Good contractors dig test holes before pricing.
You ask a question and get a vague answer. You ask for details, and they change the subject. This person is disorganized. Once work starts, you’ll chase them constantly. You’ll struggle to get answers. Skip them.
Every decent contractor can show you photos. If they can’t or won’t, that’s weird. You should see what they actually build.
During their busy season someone says they’re available immediately. That’s suspicious. Either they’re not that busy or they’re overbooked. Neither option is good. You should hunt for someone busy but organized.
A verbal agreement means nothing. If something goes wrong, you have no proof of what you agreed to. Good contractors put everything in writing. They don’t mind. They want everything documented too.
Read it before you sign. Every word.
It needs to say when they start and when they finish. It needs to list exactly what materials you’re getting. The contract should break down the cost. It needs to explain the payment schedule. It needs a warranty section.
Vague language is bad. Unclear terms are bad. Anything that lets them charge you more later is bad. If you don’t understand something, ask them to explain it. If they can’t explain it clearly, something’s wrong.
Most contractors don’t take full payment upfront. Many take nothing until they start. Some take 25 to 33 percent as a deposit. That’s normal. If they want everything before they begin, that’s weird.
San Carlos homeowners deserve contractors who show up and do the job right. Find someone with a valid C-13 license. Check their references. Read their reviews. Get written quotes. Ask detailed questions. Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.
The fence you build today lasts a long time. You see it every day. It protects your property. It adds to your home’s value. That’s worth taking time to get right. San Carlos has many good contractors. Hire one and get your fence built properly.
Stop guessing. Fence Master builds top quality wood fences and retaining walls in San Carlos. Our workforce knows the local conditions. We give honest estimates, answer calls, show up on schedule, use materials that last, document everything, and stand behind our work. Contact us for a fence as you expect.
For Free Estimate Book Now +1-650-465-2649