4/22/2020 - Today's tip is all about what you should look for when you hire a contractor.  

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1.  Make sure they are licensed and that their license is current.

2.  Make sure they have liability insurance and request a Certificate of Insurance with you as additional insured to make sure your job is covered, if you have any doubts of about their coverage.

3.  Make sure they are bonded as well.

4.  Check references or ask your friends who have used a contractor to give you their information.

5.  Ask for pictures of their work.  Preferably before and after.

6.  Get two or three quotes from different contractors before you decide.  

7.  Believe your gut.  If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  

8.  Make sure you get a contract that lays out materials and labor.

9.  Do not pay more than the amount of estimated materials.  If they ask for 1/2 up front, question it.  If they ask for more money before the job is done, question it.  Ask for receipts for materials, many companies mark up materials to up their profit.  If they do mark up the materials make sure you know how much the mark up is.

10.  Make sure you like the contractor and can talk to him/her.  Your remodel will go much nicer if you like the person you are working with.  

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Most importantly, go with your gut, and enjoy the adventure!

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7/23/2022

Anytime you install a new fence remember that it will need to be stained approximately two weeks after installation and then depending on the stain you choose, if you want it to keep looking new, it will need to be restained a minimum of every year.  The other option is to paint the fence which then you would probably have less maintenance annually.

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One thing we have learned with adding hogwire, or any other type of open weave feature to you fence, the spiders will take it as an open invitation to create webs in the open spaces.  Consider that maintenance (atleast every other week) when choosing what type of fence you want.

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