Running a fence company isn’t just about building strong fences. It’s also about building trust. People want to hire someone they feel good about. Someone they can count on to show up, do good work, and not cut corners.
Reputation is the thing that gets you calls, wins you jobs, and keeps your schedule full. It doesn’t come overnight, and it’s easy to lose. But if you take care of it, it can carry your business through both slow and busy seasons.
Why Reputation Matters More Than Ever
Back in the day, word of mouth was enough. If you did a good job, your customers told their neighbors. Today, it still matters, but now people also check Google, Facebook, Yelp, and even Nextdoor.
If they see bad reviews or no reviews at all, they might never call.
Reputation shows up in two places: what people say about you, and what the internet says about you. Both matter.
Good Reputation = More Jobs
Most homeowners don’t know much about fencing. They just want someone honest, affordable, and reliable. If your online reviews say you didn’t show up or the fence fell over after six months, they’ll move on to the next contractor.
But if your reviews say you finished on time, cleaned up the job site, and were easy to work with, people feel safe choosing you.
Good reviews lead to more leads. More leads mean more jobs. It’s a simple loop.
What Hurts a Fence Contractor’s Reputation?
A few common mistakes can cause big problems:
- Not returning calls or messages
- Showing up late (or not at all)
- Over promising and under delivering
- Leaving the job site messy
- Charging more than quoted
- Being rude to customers or neighbors
One or two of these can cost you future jobs. People talk, and now they write reviews too.
Online Reputation Is Public
Whether you want it or not, people will talk about you online. A homeowner leaves a bad review on Google, and that review sticks. It doesn’t go away. People trust reviews, even from strangers.
That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on what people are saying about your business.
You don’t need hundreds of five star reviews. But you do need some good ones.
How to Build a Strong Reputation
Here are some things that help build a good name:
- Do what you said you would do
- Finish when you said you would finish
- Be polite and respectful
- Clean up after the job
- Answer your phone and reply to messages
These are simple, but they make a big difference.
Ask for Reviews the Right Way
Many fence contractors are afraid to ask for reviews. But most happy customers are glad to help if you just ask. Here are a few tips:
- Ask right after the job is done
- Make it easy by texting them a direct link
- Say something like, “If you’re happy with the fence, would you mind leaving a quick review on Google? It helps a lot.”
Keep it friendly and low pressure.
Dealing with Bad Reviews
Sooner or later, you might get a bad review. It happens to everyone. Don’t panic. Here’s what to do:
- Stay calm. Don’t reply while you’re angry.
- Read it carefully. See if there’s something you could fix.
- Respond politely. Try something like: “I’m sorry to hear you weren’t happy. I’d like to make it right. Please call me.”
- Then follow up. Fix the problem if you can.
Even if the reviewer doesn’t change the review, other people will see how you handled it.
What Is GBP and Why It Matters
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is where many people see your business first. It shows your reviews, hours, phone number, and photos.
Keeping your GBP up to date helps you show up in local searches. A strong GBP with recent photos and good reviews can bring in a lot of business.
Make sure to:
- Keep your hours and contact info current
- Add photos of recent fence jobs
- Reply to reviews, even the good ones
- Post updates or short news every now and then
Local SEO and Reputation Go Hand in Hand
When people search “fence company near me,” Google looks at a few things:
- How close you are
- How many reviews you have
- How often people click on your listing
- How active your profile is
That means your reviews help your ranking.
Local SEO isn’t just about keywords. It’s about trust. Google wants to show businesses that people like and trust.
Social Proof: It’s Not Just for Online
You don’t need to have a huge following on Facebook. But having a few good photos, a post or two, and some customer comments goes a long way.
Think of it like this: if a homeowner sees that other people liked your work, they’ll feel safer hiring you.
People trust people. If someone sees a photo of a fence with a comment saying “Love our new fence! Thanks John!”, that speaks louder than a fancy ad.
Ads Work Better with Reputation
Running Facebook or Google ads? Great. But if someone clicks the ad and sees poor reviews, they won’t call.
You can spend a lot on ads, but if your reputation is bad or unclear, that money gets wasted.
Reputation makes your ads more effective. When people see good reviews, they trust you. When they trust you, they call.
What About Word of Mouth?
It still works. People still talk. A happy customer might tell a neighbor, post on Nextdoor, or tag you on Facebook.
But now, word of mouth travels faster and further. A single post can reach hundreds of people.
So while the old way still matters, the online version of word of mouth is even more powerful.
A Reputation Checklist for Fence Contractors
Here’s a simple table to help you stay on track:
| Task | How Often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ask for reviews | Every job | Text or email the link |
| Check Google reviews | Weekly | Respond politely |
| Post new job photos | Weekly | Use Facebook and Google |
| Update business info | Monthly | Check hours, phone, address |
| Reply to comments | Often | Keep it friendly |
Final Thoughts
Reputation isn’t a side thing. It’s the core of your business.
A good name brings you more jobs, better customers, and fewer headaches. It keeps your phone ringing. It keeps your calendar full.
You don’t need to be perfect. But you do need to be honest, fair, and reliable. Do that, and your reputation will take care of you.
And if you ever need help getting more calls, more reviews, or better online presence, that’s what we do at FenceWebs. We’ve been helping fence contractors grow for five years. And we keep it simple.
Just like a good fence, a good reputation stands strong when built right.
