Running a fence company means wearing a lot of hats. One day you’re on site quoting a job. The next, you’re trying to follow up with leads who never called back. Somewhere in between, you’re posting photos on social media, sending invoices, and answering calls while driving to a job.
It’s a lot. And it’s easy to lose track of things.
That’s where a CRM can help.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a CRM, Really?
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management.
Sounds fancy, but it’s really just a tool that helps you keep track of your customers, leads, and jobs in one place.
Instead of using a bunch of sticky notes, text messages, and email chains, a CRM gives you one clean dashboard to manage everything.
Why Most Fence Contractors Skip It
Many small business owners don’t use CRMs.
Some think it’s only for big companies. Others believe it’s too hard to learn or too expensive.
And some just haven’t had time to think about it. Fair enough.
But here’s the truth: a good CRM doesn’t have to be hard, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, it can save you money.
Signs You Might Need a CRM
Not sure if it’s for you?
Here are some things to watch for:
- You forget to follow up with leads
- You lose track of customer details
- You send quotes late or miss sending them at all
- Your team doesn’t know what the other is doing
- You keep answering the same questions over and over
- Your notes are scattered across your phone, paper, and inbox
If any of those sound familiar, a CRM might be worth a look.
What Can a CRM Do for a Fence Company?
Let’s talk about real world benefits. Nothing fancy, just clear examples.
Keep All Customer Info in One Place
Every customer’s name, phone number, address, and job details stay in one system. You’re not digging through old emails or call logs.
Track Every Lead
Know where each lead came from, what they asked for, and if you followed up. No more guessing.
Send Quotes Faster
Many CRMs let you create and send quotes right from the system. That means less time typing and more time building fences.
Set Reminders
You can get reminders to follow up with people who haven’t replied. That can turn cold leads into booked jobs.
Manage Jobs
Some CRMs let you move jobs through stages: quoted, accepted, in progress, finished. You can see everything at a glance.
Get Paid Faster
Some CRMs have invoicing tools. Others connect to QuickBooks or Stripe. Either way, you can send invoices faster and track what’s paid.
Help Your Team Stay in Sync
If you have a crew or an office manager, a CRM can keep everyone on the same page. No more back and forth texts.
What It Doesn’t Do
Just to be clear, a CRM doesn’t do the work for you.
It won’t build a fence, answer your phone, or sell the job.
But it gives you the tools to do those things better.
You still have to run the business, but it makes the day to day a lot smoother.
Free and Paid Options
You don’t have to spend a lot to get started.
Here’s a basic comparison:
| CRM Name | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Jobber | Paid | Scheduling, quotes, invoices |
| Housecall Pro | Paid | Larger service businesses |
| HubSpot | Free/Paid | Basic contact management |
| Zoho CRM | Free/Paid | Affordable and flexible |
| Trello | Free | Simple task tracking |
| Google Sheets | Free | Manual, but better than nothing |
Start with what fits your budget and needs. You can always upgrade later.
How FenceWebs Fits In
At FenceWebs, we help fence contractors grow their business with websites, SEO, ads, and local marketing.
But we’ve noticed something. Even with a good website and solid leads, many companies still lose sales because they don’t follow up fast enough.
That’s not a website problem. It’s a process problem.
And CRMs help solve it.
We don’t sell CRMs, but we help our clients connect the dots. If you’re running ads or getting organic leads, you need a system to manage those leads.
A CRM helps turn clicks into calls, calls into quotes, and quotes into jobs.
Common Pushbacks and Real Talk
“I’m too busy to set it up.”
We get it. You’re working sunup to sundown. But setting aside just a couple hours one weekend could save you hours every week moving forward.
“I don’t like tech.”
You don’t have to be a tech whiz. Most tools now are drag and drop and phone friendly. If you can use a smartphone, you can use a CRM.
“It’s too expensive.”
Some tools cost less than $50 a month. If it helps you close just one more job, it already paid for itself.
“What if I mess it up?”
You probably won’t. And even if you do, most CRMs have live chat or support to help.
What to Look For in a CRM
Not all CRMs are built the same. For fence businesses, keep an eye out for:
- Mobile app access
- Easy quote builder
- Job status tracking
- Lead notes and reminders
- Text or email follow ups
- Invoice and payment tools
You don’t need every feature. Focus on what helps you work faster and stay organized.
Start Simple
You don’t have to change everything overnight.
Try this:
- Make a list of all your current leads and jobs
- Pick a basic CRM or even a Google Sheet
- Start tracking customer name, contact info, and quote status
- Add new leads as they come in
- Set calendar reminders to follow up
That’s it. You just started a basic CRM system.
Over time, you can move into a better tool when you’re ready.
Final Thought
CRMs aren’t magic. They’re just tools. But good tools make hard jobs easier.
If your business is growing or even if it’s just you out there building fences, a simple system to track your work can make a big difference.
You won’t regret being more organized. But you might regret letting leads fall through the cracks.
It doesn’t have to be hard. You just have to start.
