Most fencing contractors live and die by word-of-mouth—and today, that word-of-mouth happens online first. A single 3-star review can sink a lead, while a portfolio of 5-star ratings transforms browsers into paying clients before you even shake their hand.
Why Reviews Matter More for Fencing Than Other Trades
Homeowners can't easily evaluate fence quality until it's installed and weathered a season or two. That's why they rely heavily on your review score and specific feedback from past customers. A contractor with 47 five-star reviews and detailed comments about post durability, gate operation, and on-time completion will win over one with three vague ratings—every single time. This is especially true in competitive markets where 5–7 fencing companies operate within a 15-mile radius.
Map Out Your Best Recent Projects
Start by identifying your last 15–20 completed jobs that went smoothly. These are your review goldmines. Pull addresses, homeowner names (if you have them), and project details: wood privacy fence, vinyl, composite, aluminum work, or gate installations. Note the final cost range and completion timeline—customers trust specificity.
Reach out within 48 hours of project completion, not three months later. The experience is fresh, and satisfaction is highest. A simple text or email works: "Hey, we just finished your fence install. We'd love your honest feedback on Google/Facebook if you have a moment—just let me know if anything needs adjustment first."
Request Reviews on the Right Platforms
Don't scatter your effort. Focus on three channels that fencing customers actually use:
- Google Business Profile (non-negotiable; affects local search ranking and shows up on maps)
- Facebook (especially effective for homeowners aged 35–65 in suburban areas)
- HomeAdvisor or Thumbtack (if you're already listed; these platforms drive high-intent leads)
Avoid chasing reviews on platforms where fence contractors aren't typically reviewed (Yelp reviews are sparse in most regions for this trade). Your time is worth more.
Make the Ask Friction-Free
Send a direct link to your review page. Copy-paste this into texts or emails:
"Thanks for choosing us! Here's the fastest way to leave a review: [direct Google review link]. Appreciate you!"
Don't ask customers to hunt for you, search spelling variations, or navigate three menus. You'll lose 70% of willing reviewers that way.
For residential jobs under $5,000, expect a 15–25% response rate if you ask personally within a week. For larger commercial or HOA fence projects ($8,000+), that jumps to 40–50% because the investment is significant.
Respond to Every Review (Positive and Negative)
A five-star review with zero response from you signals you don't care about feedback. A thoughtful two-sentence reply shows you're professional and engaged.
For positive reviews: "Thank you, Mike! We're proud of the cedar privacy fence we installed and glad your family loves it. Reach out anytime you need repairs or additions."
For negative reviews (rare, but handle them calmly): "We're sorry the gate took longer than expected. We've since adjusted our supply chain and want to make this right. Please call us at [number] so we can discuss a solution."
Respond within 48 hours. Search engines and platforms weight recent activity, and prospects read responses carefully.
Use Reviews in Your Marketing Funnel
Once you have 20+ five-star reviews, pull 3–5 detailed testimonials (include the reviewer's name and project type) and feature them on your website homepage and estimate packets. Video reviews are gold—ask satisfied customers if they'd spend 60 seconds on a quick phone video saying what they liked. Most will say yes.
Listing on Mercoly helps you get found by fence-shopping homeowners in your service area, win leads from customers actively seeking contractors, and sell products like gates, hardware, or sealants directly through your storefront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many reviews do I realistically need to compete locally? A: Aim for 25+ reviews within 12 months. Once you hit that, you'll dominate local search over competitors with fewer than 10. Maintenance is then 2–3 new reviews per month.
Q: Should I offer discounts for reviews? A: No—it's against platform policies and erodes trust. Offer quality work and a simple ask instead; the conversion is natural.
Q: What if a customer leaves a bad review that's inaccurate? A: Respond publicly and professionally within 24 hours, invite them to call you, and resolve offline. Never get defensive publicly.
Start requesting reviews from your next three completed jobs this week.