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Has your fence been blown over in the wind? Perhaps you’re looking for a bit more privacy from some nosy neighbours – either way, if it’s time for you to invest in new fencing for your garden, then it’s important that you know the right places to look.
Choosing a fencing supplier may seem like a simple task, but there are certain considerations you should be making to ensure that you’re not only getting the best deal on the fencing you love, but you are putting your trust in reliable suppliers who won’t let you down.
By following our top tips and being able to spot what makes a trustworthy fence supplier, you can be confident that you’ll find the right supplier for you. Keep reading our guide to learn all you need to know.
The very first thing you need to do before you even start looking for a supplier is to determine the needs you have from your fencing. It’s all very well looking at different fencing and suppliers, but this can make your decision harder if you don’t first establish exactly what it is that you want.
For example, if you want a specific type of fencing, such as composite or wooden, and/or want your fence to be a certain style, then this immediately allows you to narrow down your search to suppliers who specialise in or offer the specific type of fencing that you’re after.
If you aren’t yet sure on exactly what type of fencing you’re after or what you think will look best, then instead think about what you want from your fencing – do you want privacy, to stop pets from escaping, to improve your home’s curb appeal or simply to establish boundary lines? From this you may be able to determine what type of fence will work best.
For instance, a uPVC or composite fence, such as those offered at Fitrite, are better able to withstand weathering damage, so will be great for boosting curb appeal for years to come. As for privacy, you’ll likely want a tall fence, whilst a short fence may do you just fine if you’re simply looking to establish boundary lines.
Leading on from establishing your needs, you’ll also want to set a realistic budget and keep this in mind throughout your search. Of course, you may have no idea how much fencing costs, so a quick search online can give you a rough estimate of an average number you can use as a benchmark, then go on to decide your own budget from there.
Remember, there are certain factors that can affect your budget, such as the fencing material you opt for, the amount of fence panels you require and the size of these panels. Similarly, whether or not you’re looking to get this installed or plan on installing them yourselves will also impact the cost you can expect to pay.
Keeping these things in mind allows you to set a realistic budget to work with. If you do find that you’ve estimated the costs to be lower than those you are being quoted, then you may have to make some compromises, however this is less likely if you do go into your search with some prior research and a realistic budget behind your belt.
It’s always worth seeing what local options you have available to you. Searching locally is beneficial for a number of reasons; firstly, it may be easier to distinguish the reliability of fencing suppliers in your local area through word of mouth, whether that be your friends, family or neighbours.
You may also find that, because they are local, they don’t experience the same demand or pressures as a supplier who offers a nationwide service, which can make for a more efficient and personable service. However, the opposite could also be true in that, because they are local, they are a smaller company, whereby local demand can actually hinder availability and efficiency.
Here at Fitrite, we offer the best of both worlds. We are located in Doncaster, offering our services to those in South Yorkshire from our local base, however we do also extend our services across the UK, offering quotes, expert advice and specialist installation to homeowners nationwide thanks to our multiple depots throughout the UK.
Once you have a budget in mind and have found some fencing you like, it’s always a good idea to get a quote from a selection of different suppliers, rather than sticking with the first one you find – even if they’re within your budget.
Doing this allows you to gain an idea of how much it will cost on average for your specific fencing requirements. This then allows you to distinguish whether one supplier is quoting you a suspiciously low price compared to others, suggesting that you should avoid them at the risk of unreliable or low quality work; similarly, if one seems significantly more expensive, then you can avoid paying more than the fencing is actually worth – instead you want to find a happy median.
This one should be a given, but you always want to ensure that the supplier you’re thinking of choosing has plenty of experience, as well as the necessary qualifications. This gives you peace of mind that they have the experience and expertise to carry out any installation work.
To check for this, you can look to see how long they’ve been operating, see if there are any examples of previous work on their site and ask them to provide proof of any qualifications they have – reputable suppliers will never be offended to show you this and will instead be happy to oblige!
Before going ahead with your chosen supplier, you’ll first want to make sure that they are, in fact, reliable. One of the first things to look at is the quality and range of products that they supply. If they are exclusively a uPVC fencing supplier, for example, do they supply quality fence panels to make up for the lack of other materials they offer, as you would expect from a specialised supplier?
You’ll also want to see what range of designs that they offer – if they only offer one or two fence designs, then this could not only suggest a lack of competency, but could limit you from receiving the aesthetic you’re after from your fence.
Here at Fitrite, we specialise in both composite and uPVC fencing. Unlike timber decking, these are both much more resistant to environmental damage, durable and low maintenance. We also offer our fence panels in a variety of different styles and colours, giving you the option to find a solution that matches your taste and garden aesthetic.
To ensure a supplier is reputable, then you’ll want to verify that they are both licensed and insured. Don’t feel any trepidation in asking for proof of these credentials – reputable suppliers should show these to you without any fight or bad feeling, as they will have nothing to hide. Furthermore, this protects you from any liability in case something were to go wrong during the installation process.
Most reliable fence suppliers will offer customers comprehensive services, rather than simply supplying fence panels. Look to see what your supplier can offer you – do they operate an installation service? Are they able to offer any bespoke work regarding the design of your fencing?
In offering various services, they are better suited to meeting all of your needs, whilst giving you the convenience of not having to look elsewhere for additional services that can instead be included in a single expense.
The final thing that we strongly recommend you check before buying from your chosen supplier is to check the warranty they offer. Most suppliers will offer, at the very least, a one year warranty (as is included in your statutory rights), however reputable suppliers are likely to offer closer to a 10 year warranty or more.
For peace of mind, it’s best to check what warranties are offered on the materials and installation, so that you will be covered should anything go wrong in the future. Here at Fitrite, we offer a generous 10 year warranty.
So, now that you know what to look for when choosing the right fence supplier for your project, let us save you some time – choose Fitrite! We meet all of the criteria mentioned in this guide, so you can rest assured that you’ll be receiving quality materials that last and expert installation services, all for a competitive price.
Not only are we fencing specialists, but we also offer other garden improvement services, including uPVC and composite decking, balustrades and garden rooms.
For more information regarding our products and services or to obtain your free quote, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!
