Once you’ve decided you need a fence installed on your property, one of the first things you’ll need to do is create a budget and find out what some Colorado Springs fencing prices are. To figure out what you want and what you can afford, you’ll have to factor in the length, style, materials, extra detailing and installation. Even if you are just making adjustments to your current fence, it is still going to cost money to get the job done.
A Colorado Springs fence company can not only clue you in on the costs of specific styles and materials, but the company can survey your property and give you an estimate on different fence installation costs so you can make a financially responsible decision on your new fence. Asking the right questions, listing out what your priorities are with a new fence, and getting a proper estimate will make the process of picking out an affordable fence easier.
What affects the price of the fence?
The cost of a new fence varies based on multiple factors like materials, the conditions of the property you’re installing it on, the difficulty of the fence style to install, and any extra fixes or changes you want added to the fence.
One of the main things to consider is how the style and materials for the fence will factor into cost. Materials range from more basic materials like chain-link or wood to more expensive materials like vinyl and aluminum. An aluminum fence can sometimes cost almost three times the cost of chain-link! However, in the long run, the cost of maintenance and repairs could be lower, which would make the costs even out.
Also keep in mind that things like needing more fence posts or adding a gate can add to that material cost. Consider the purpose of the fence - whether that be style, privacy, or security, and factor those elements into your return on investment. If you want privacy, a chain-link fence isn’t going to provide that the way a vinyl or wood fence can.
Another thing to consider is the cost of installation. Depending on the complications of putting in a fence style, the cost of labor can be much higher than anticipated. This is where the details of the fence can make a difference. If you want things like gates, extra posts or other changes, this will not only cost in extra materials, but in labor as well.
Any complex design will require a more experienced fence installer who may charge more, and it could require some changes to your property, too. Even if it gets costly, consider the benefits of a professional fencing contractor - mistakes on a DIY project tend to end up being more expensive in the long run, so it’s sometimes better to suck it up and pay the professional.
What questions should I ask?
After you’ve done some preliminary research on materials, contact some Colorado Springs fencing companies so you can ask questions and get an idea if your fence is even possible to build. Ask about things like city permits, utility locations, timelines and warranties. Even before getting an estimate, you have to know if you’ll be responsible for some of the work or if the fence company will take care of everything for you.
Estimates
After getting any lingering questions answered and figuring out which fence companies you like, have them come out and give you an estimate. If the fencing company is reputable and honest, most times they’ll happily send someone to survey your property and give you an estimate for free.
A good estimator will ask you questions about what you want from the fence, size and height, colors, uses, etc. This will be especially necessary if you’re deciding between multiple fence styles or materials as they can give you the costs of each different one or help you to decide which is the most affordable route.
If you find a fencing company with a price you like and with what you feel is quality service, it’s OK to ask for an invoice. This will help to ensure you aren’t overcharged for materials or labor. Obviously, sometimes there are discrepancies if while on the job, something unexpected comes up, but for the most part, the labor hours and material costs shouldn’t differ much from that invoice. This way, you know what to expect for a bill, and the fence company knows they can’t increase your price.
If a fence contractor wants to charge you for an estimate or is unwilling to give you some type of invoice or estimate range they can guarantee, they likely have other add-on charges you’ll see later as well, and it may not be worth pursuing.
Whether you’re splurging on a fence with intricate details, gates, curves and special materials, or having a simple, plain fence installed, getting the Colorado Springs fencing prices from your fence contractor is going to help you to pick the fence you can afford. Look at the pros and cons of spending more or less money, ask your contractor questions, and get an estimate before making the final decision. This way, you’ll know your new fence will be on budget and have the look you want.