The great fence saga continues.......

16 years ago

Well after an exhausting week of contractor visits we ended up with 8 fence estimates....we are still waiting on a call back from one on Sat morning.

Based on what I have learned about vinyl fencing the MOST important issue are the rails the fence sits in. The best fences have 7 inch rails.

The second most important issue is virgin vinyl...Jessy be good!! Virgin vinyl is not recycled and has a lifetime guarentee.

So considering all we have to chose from, tonigh we spent our dinner hour figuring out who we were NOT going with.

Right off the bat if you don't offer the best rails you were axed. then we axed those who didn't deal with the VV.

Our next cuts got a little interesting. WE have a large tree in the back yard and some guys instantly said "thats going to be a problem" However some guys said "thats going to be a problem but here are my ideas on dealing with it"!!

Its one thing to nitice a problem but if you have ideas then that tells me you are right for the job.

Last consideration at this point is payment. Some guys demanded half up front to order the product-some asked for a few hundred and some asked for nothing up front.

So now we are down to 3 guys.

Now I am looking at price because now its a level playing field.

I would like to call each of the final 3 and ask them if the price quoted was their best offer.

If all 3 say yes then its a no brainer however I'd like to give them each the opportunity to get the job.

Of the 3 final guys, 2 of them are really close in price and the other is about $3000 more.

The last issue is I want to call the other guys and let them know that we are not going with them....Frank feels its not neccessary however I know these guys are just going to keep hounding my cell so I want to just end it nicely and I feel a quick call to say no thanx would be appropriate.

Now on to the cement guys. Really all we wanted was a front walk re-do however since I will have money available for these projects we figured why not get all cement work done at once....I have seen 6 cement guys and those prices are all over the place!! It will be much more difficult to chose a cement contractor!!

With all these balls in the air its a good thing I am a good juggler!!

Cheers!

Susie

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Comments (7)

jojoco
16 years ago
Ask for references. And check them. The honest ones will have no problem giving you a list. Cross off anyone who hesitates.
readinglady
16 years ago
Second that. I'd especially check into anyone who asks for half up-front. It doesn't necessarily mean that they're unreliable, but contractors have been known to collect a substantial down-payment then walk and not do the job.

Asking for a substantial down is sometimes (not always, so it's just one more thing to look into) an indication that a contractor is near financial melt-down and doesn't have money to pay his suppliers and labor.

In many states, protections for homeowners are minimal and the likelihood of redress if something goes wrong is slim so knowing a contractor's history is crucial.

Carol
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obxgina
16 years ago
I agree, get references and check them, that may help make your decision easier!
cloudy_christine
16 years ago
I'd suggest writing something into the contract about the date work must be completed.
We had a retaining wall built a couple of years ago. We had to pay half before work started (that seemed standard here), supposedly in April. They didn't start, and they did not return my calls, until I left a message saying refund the payment or talk to my lawyer. Only then did I hear back from the owner. One of the foreman, the nice guy who made me choose this company, had quit, so the owner no longer had two crews available. As if that was a reason for not communicating! The wall was built just before Thanksgiving, and we were replanting all the bulbs that weekend. Luckily it was warm for late November.
triciae
16 years ago
Don't forget to have the contractor sign a Mechanic's Lien Waiver & Release! Without a lien release if the contractor fails to pay for either his suppliers and/or labor those people can file a lien against your property for the amount owed. It's called a MECHANIC'S LIEN. Mechanic's Lien Waivers/Releases vary slightly between states. You can, probably, ask for a blank at your local bank's real estate department. I've got a stamp that I put on the back of any check I write paying contractors. When they endorse the check they also sign my waiver/release. But, that only works in some states but any homeowner can supply the form as long as it meets that state's requirements. Check online for your state's forms. Quite possibly, you can just print a blank from the net.

Also, make sure the contractor provides you with proof of Workmen's Comp insurance. There 'should' be a statement within their standard contract saying they carry all appropriate insurance including Workmen's Comp. If not, ask for a copy of their insurance binder. If they give you a hard time...select a different contractor.

I agree with CC regarding the performance clause. For a fence, something in the line of $50/day for every day they're late on meeting their schedule is appropriate. (There should be some allowance given for weather that disrupts installation.)

Also, if you can get away with it, hold back 10% for a couple weeks after completion to make sure everything is as you've contracted. Once you pay a contractor...he's gone. Words coming from somebody who did construction lending for a couple decades. Contractors? I love them but they run to their own drummers & are notorious for getting a job 95% done and vanishing.

Enjoy the new fence! BTW, that Mechanic's Lien Waiver/Release is REALLY important. Do not pay until they sign. I even make my handyman sign waivers. Assuming all requirements of the lien are met...a Mechanic's Lien takes precedence even over a first mortgage...not something to risk to luck.

/tricia
triciae
16 years ago
I need to clarify this sentence...

"Without a lien release if the contractor fails to pay for either his suppliers and/or labor those people can file a lien against your property for the amount owed."

A supplier and/or laborer can still file a Mechanic's Lien if they're not paid even if you have a Waiver/Release. The difference is that you won't have to pay if you have that Waiver. Without it, you could end up paying for the fence twice plus any court costs.

/t
readinglady
16 years ago
Another option is to negotiate with the contractor to buy the materials yourself and pay upfront. Some contractors will allow you to buy at their cost directly from the supplier in lieu of a preliminary down payment. We have done this on more than one occasion.

Then if the contractor defaults, you have the materials on hand and the supplier has no reason to place a lien.

I do agree that you can run into big trouble if the contractor takes the money and doesn't pay his materials costs.

Carol

The great fence saga continues.......

Comments (7)

jojoco

readinglady

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