Price matching is a request that comes up from time to time that needs to be addressed. In a service based business this can be a very tricky Issue.

Price matching, for example, between Home Depot and Lowe's works fine. You are comparing the exact same product right off the shelf. So when you get it at 10% less you have spent 10% less for the exact same item. Simple stuff.....

With a service business, the "item" you are purchasing (let's say...a fence) has to be estimated, designed, materials purchased, loaded, delivered, unloaded, assembled, installed and warranted for a certain period of time. Each one of these steps has a cost associated with it.

I have been in this business long enough (12+years) to have mastered all these steps and we know what our costs are and how to keep them under control.

We have developed certain standards and techniques over the years that have gotten us where we are today. We have earned a strong reputation for building a good quality, long lasting, attractive fence. This has been achieved by setting strict standards, repetition and not taking shortcuts, no matter how tempting.

I believe strongly that real value is determined by the actual life span of the fence.

Therefore longevity is our primary focus. In order to achieve longevity, only certain materials and fasteners are suited to go the distance. These items cost more. Construction techniques that truly increase the life span usually require more work and time. Additional time and labor cost more. Usually the margin between an average junk fence and a Hancock Fence is $200-$500. So... we are not talking about needing a gold mine or money tree here.

Everyday our prices are shopped and compared to others and they should be. That's what free enterprise is based on and it's competition that keeps prices under control. I have only about 5-6 TRUE competitors in our area that build fences that I admire because they also have high standards. Their quality work always looks nice and I applaud their great work. That's only 5-6 contractors out of hundreds available in the phone book!

Of course I can't , and do not know everyone out there.

I do not have a problem price matching with these quality competitors. We are usually so close in price that we don't have to go there at all.

However, it's many of others we both have to look out for. I've seen new fence contractors bid jobs low because they are new, hungry and inexperienced. They really don't mean any harm, but when they realize they have made a costly mistake your quality goes downhill fast. All they want to do at this point is get finished, get your money and get out. Some just walk off with your 50% deposit don't show up for work the next day leaving you with an unfinished project

Others will promise one thing and deliver another. A few shortcuts here and there won't hurt anything right? After all.... no one will notice and if you do they pass the blame like a hot potato.

The worst of them will do and say anything it takes to sell you a fence at any price. They require 50% up front, cash your check and never come back. YES, this still happens today. It's rare, but it happens. Usually you hear these stories after big storms on the news.

Some fence contractors ONLY goal is to build a fence that's just good enough to get by, take your money, and RUN. There will be no warranty or gate adjustments even when they promised you they would.

It's all in the details.......

Hancock Fence provides more details in our estimates and contracts because it's the little things that mean the most. We are very detailed because you need to know exactly what you are getting for your money. Equally important is what you are not getting. Playing both sides here insures there will be no misunderstandings, surprises, substitutions or disappointments.

Many of my competitors bids are hand written, sloppy and hard to read. Details are left out or avoided leaving open many gray areas. It's these gray areas that trouble is born and problems and disappointment arise within the project.

Do your homework folks! It's very important if you don't want to replace your fence again anytime soon. Every last little part on your fence serves a purpose, all the way down to a simple nail. Hancock Fence knows everyone does not have time to become a fence expert, nor wants to. That's why our customers trust us to make the right decisions for them, choose quality products, and provide a professional installation that they can enjoy, for many, many years to come. I have done all the homework for you, that's my job! 

Choose Hancock Fence to build your new fence, you will be happy you did.