Everyone wants the "best" fencer near them, but the best is rarely the cheapest quote or the flashiest van — it is the one who builds a fence that is still straight in ten years. Here is what actually separates a good South Wales fencing contractor from a bad one.
The first thing to check is the groundwork, because it is where a fence is won or lost and where cheap contractors cut. Ask how deep the posts go and whether they are concreted in. The right answer is at least a third of the height, minimum 600mm, concreted — deeper for gates and corners. A contractor who knocks posts into shallow holes to save an hour is selling you a fence that leans after the first proper gale.
Next, look for someone who quotes and builds the job themselves and gives you a written, itemised price. A salesman who quotes and hands you to a crew you never met is where surprise variations and "that is not what we agreed" come from. A one-person operation whose name is on the work has every reason to build it right — there is no one else to blame. Be wary too of "near me" websites that are really lead-generation middlemen selling your details on.
Finally, judge on standard, not just price. The cheapest quote is cheap for a reason — thinner posts, shallower holes, no gravel boards, panels instead of board-by-board. Built to a spec, a fence costs a little more up front and lasts years longer, which makes it the cheaper fence over its life. That is exactly how Ben builds: owner-run, groundwork done properly, a fixed written price, and work that holds up.
Someone local who quotes and builds the job themselves; posts set at least a third of their height deep and concreted; a written, itemised fixed price; gravel boards and proper strained board-by-board construction rather than the cheapest panels; and no high-pressure sales. Judge on the standard of the build, not just the headline price.
How deep do the posts go and are they concreted? Do you quote and build it yourself? Is the price written and itemised? Do you use gravel boards? How long is a realistic timescale? Do you clear the old fence away? Honest, specific answers are a good sign; vague ones or a rush to the cheapest number are not.
Rarely. The cheapest quote usually means thinner posts, shallower holes and no gravel boards — a fence that fails early and costs you again. A fence built to a proper spec costs a little more up front and lasts far longer, which makes it the better value over its life. Compare what is actually being built, not just the number.
More on our common questions page.
Feather edge, closeboard and slatted screen fencing, strained tight and posts set to last.
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fence company near me →Feather edge, closeboard and slatted screen fencing, strained tight and posts set to last.
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No call-out fee, no obligation. Tell Ben what you are after and he will arrange a free site visit, then quote you a fixed price.