Finding a contractor you work well with is much easier if you decide what is important to you.  Here are some factors to consider:

Qualifications

Make sure you get someone to do a quality job.  The best contractor is somebody who can complete the job as you have specified it, for the agreed price at the agreed time.

How long in business

You want someone that has been working in the fence business for at least 5 years and has extensive experience installing fences.  Ask if they have extensive experience working with the fence materials you’ve selected.

References

Talk directly to at least 3 recent (last 2 years) customers.  Make sure the customers had similar work done and ask to view one or two of the projects.

Better Business Bureau

Make sure there is not a history of complaints or unresolved complaints for your contractor. Having one or two resolved complaints may be acceptable.

Price

You should have a clear budget for your project and make sure that the contractor can work within your budget. If a prospective contractor implies that you are not spending enough money on the project or that this will be a small project compared to his other projects, it may be an indicator that he will not take your job seriously. On the other hand, if most or all of the contractors you interview indicate that your budget is too low for the project, this is important feedback. You may need to increase your budget or change the project to fit the budget.

Payment Terms

It is best to hold back 20-50% of the total payment until the job is completed to your satisfaction and you should make sure the contractor will work with those terms. 

Timing

Make sure they can complete the work by the time you need it done.  If timing is important, build a financial performance incentive for finishing early and a penalty for finishing late.

Style

If you are asking the contractor to help select and purchase the fence, ask each contractor how he communicates with his clients to ensure they approve of the design. At what point will you get to review and sign off on plans? To what degree will he involve you in the selection of the fence, gates, and finishes?

Safety and Security

The contractor and his staff are going to be around you and your family while operating equipment so make sure you feel comfortable with them. Ask which safety procedures each contractor uses.

Cleanliness

Some contractors will leave a mess and some will clean up and you will never know they were there. If the job is to take several days or weeks, you want a contractor who keeps the site reasonably organized. If cleanliness is important to you, pick a contractor that takes it seriously.

Communications

Try their cell phone number several times at different times of the day and see if/how fast they call you back.  Hire someone that takes communications seriously if it is important to you.

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