Every fence company in Walnut Creek will tell you they do quality work. References let you hear that from someone who has no reason to oversell it. Checking references before you hire takes 10 minutes and can save you from a contractor who cuts corners, misses deadlines, or disappears after taking a deposit.
What References Actually Tell You
A license and insurance check confirms that a contractor is legally able to work. References confirm whether they actually do good work. A company can be licensed and insured and still routinely miss timelines, use materials that don't match the quote, or leave job sites poorly cleaned up.
Questions to Ask a Contractor's References
- Did the crew show up on time, and did the project finish on schedule? Chronic lateness or delays are a pattern, not an accident.
- Did the finished fence match what was in the quote? Materials, height, gate placement, style — did you get what you were promised?
- Were there any surprises in the final invoice? Cost overruns after the fact are a red flag.
- How was the site left after the job? Old fencing, concrete debris, and leftover materials should be hauled away.
- Did anything go wrong, and how did the company handle it? How a company responds to problems tells you more than whether the project went smoothly.
- Would you hire them again? The only question that really summarizes everything else.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be skeptical of a company that can't provide recent references, only offers contacts from a year or more ago, or provides numbers that don't answer. If the contractor pushes back on your request for references at all, that tells you something.
Online Reviews Are a Starting Point, Not a Substitute
Google and Yelp reviews are useful for a general sense of reputation. But they're not the same as speaking directly with a recent customer in your area. Online reviews can be curated; a direct conversation can't be.
Talk to All American Fence Corp
We're happy to provide references from recent jobs throughout the Walnut Creek area. We've built our reputation on showing up on time, using the materials in our quote, and leaving the job site clean. Contact us for a free estimate and ask us anything you'd ask any other contractor.