If you are looking for a fence installation company, you will find that there are many options available to you. Which company should you choose? Big box or local? Franchise or family-owned? Here, we will dive into the differences and how to determine which company is best for you.

The Choice Between Local vs Franchise Contractor

When you are deciding between a franchise or a local business, a big-name franchise may seem like a convenient option. Often, big box stores and other franchises have special financing offers, and they have a wide selection of fencing from which to choose. Sometimes, the prices are lower than a local company can offer because a franchise has more resources. After all, its recognizable name provides a larger customer base, and they share assets with other franchises. On the other hand, working with a small, family-owned local business has many benefits as well, and can lead to a more favorable experience overall. Why? Let’s take a look at some of those benefits.

Benefits of a Family Business and Franchise Fencing Drawbacks

Why would you choose a family business that has never before been on your radar, instead of a large franchise with which you are extremely familiar? Before you hire anyone at all, carefully research to learn about the company’s reputation and history. Check customer reviews to learn what it’s like to work with the company you’re considering. That being said, here are some factors in favor of a family-owned business.

In a family-owned company, the team has a personal stake in the company’s reputation. While a big-name franchise will typically contract out the work, a locally owned company will send out a team of its employees to install your fence. In the interest of building their business, a local company will ensure its team is well-trained, and because the in-house employees are in charge of the work, they are more invested in customer satisfaction.
You will receive more personalized customer service from a locally owned business. To a large company, you are just one of many customers. To a local business, you are important. A small, locally owned, family business invests in every one of their clients, and this means you are likely to deal directly with the business owner or a family member. Communication is likely to be timelier and more consistent, and you will probably have one point of contact to ensure your project runs smoothly.
Local businesses take pride in their work. Rather than simply logging hours towards a paycheck, the people in a local business are building their brand, so their focus is going to be on quality. Quality materials, precise installation, and superior craftsmanship, with an attention to detail, are the result of a team that is working to deliver its best work every time.
A small company is likely to be more flexible. Large companies are not likely to customize your project for you, and they will put you on the schedule at their convenience. A locally owned family business, on the other hand, is responsive to your needs and has the flexibility to offer custom solutions. Whether you need a custom gate design or an unusual fence configuration, a local company will typically make it work. Additionally, local companies often have more flexible scheduling.
As with any local business, when you hire a local fence company, you are supporting the local economy. Buying local makes sense because those local businesses reinvest their profits into your community. Keeping your money within the community helps the area thrive, while paying a large company means sending profits to the corporate headquarters, which may not be anywhere near your community.
The price is not always better with a large company. It would be natural to assume that a large company, due to its size, can offer you lower prices and better financing. However, you might be surprised to learn that family-owned, local businesses often have low overhead costs, in addition to relationships with suppliers that allow them to spend less and pass the savings along to their customers. Some local companies can even offer financing, so you don’t have to rely on a big chain to get your project completed.

Looking for a Family-Owned, Independent Fence Builder? Contact Paramount Fence

Paramount Fence Inc. is a fence company with strong ties to the community and a reputation for excellence in professional fence installation. Our family-owned and operated business is a full-service fencing company in the Chicagoland area, proudly serving the following counties in Illinois: Kane, DuPage, Kendall, DeKalb, McHenry, and parts of Cook, Will, and Lake. With over a century of combined experience, we’ve been the premier name in fence installation in our community since 2006, and we’ve built an impeccable reputation for professionalism, expertise, and superior results. Using modern, cutting-edge methods, equipment, and techniques, we will help you find the fence of your dreams, and we’ll be with you through every step of your fence installation project. Paramount Fence Inc. is a member of the American Fence Association and has earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. To learn more about our work, browse our gallery to check out our prior projects, or contact us for a free on-site estimate from Chicagoland’s trusted local team.