Building Your First 100 Contacts

Introduction

When you start a fencing company, you do not have the luxury of a big name or a pile of referrals. Homeowners, builders, and property managers usually call the fence contractor they already know, the one their neighbor recommended, or the one who answered fast and sounded sharp. That is why your first 100 contacts matter. This is not about ads first. It is about building a real list of people who can bring you estimates, jobs, and introductions.

The goal is simple: get in front of the right people before your competitors do. In fencing, that means homeowners with failing wood fences, HOA communities with rules to follow, small builders, landscapers, pool installers, irrigation companies, real estate agents, and property managers. These are the people who see fence needs early and can steer work your way.

Concept

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The Importance of Direct Outreach

Direct outreach is how a new fence business gets known. You cannot sit back and hope calls come in while your website is still new and your reviews are thin. You have to knock on doors, call property managers, visit builders, and introduce yourself to the people who already touch fence work.

A strong fence contractor does not wait for a homeowner to search "fence company near me" and magically choose them. He makes sure the local pool builder knows who handles pool code fences, the landscaper knows who handles backyard privacy installs, and the HOA manager knows who can replace failing perimeter sections without creating headaches.

Real-World Example: A new fence company in a growing subdivision walks the neighborhood with door hangers and a simple offer: free inspection of leaning posts, storm-damaged panels, and gate problems. At the same time, the owner calls three local builders and two pool companies to introduce the business and ask who handles fence installs when their crews need a reliable sub.

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Building a Network

Your first contacts should not just be random names in a phone. They should be people tied to fence demand. Start with your personal network, then move into local trade partners, then into recurring buyers like property managers and HOA boards. Use your phone, CRM, and local business groups to track who you spoke with, what type of fences they need, and when to follow up.

For fence contractors, the best network often includes:
- Realtors who need quick repair quotes before closing
- Pool builders who need compliant pool barrier work
- Landscapers who get asked about fence replacements
- Builders who need subcontract help
- Property managers handling rental turnovers
- HOA board members and community managers
- Hardware suppliers and lumber yards who hear about upcoming projects

Real-World Example: A fence owner joins a local builders' breakfast, meets two general contractors, and follows up with photos of wood privacy fences, chain link repairs, and aluminum pool fences. One builder saves the number because he needs a dependable sub for a 12-home project next month.

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Resilience in the Face of Rejection

Fence sales is full of no’s. Some people already have a guy. Some just got a quote. Some do not care until their gate drags or a storm knocks down a section. That does not mean the contact was wasted. Every conversation teaches you what property owners care about most: price, speed, material choice, warranty, cleanup, or code compliance.

If a landlord says no today, he may call when another tenant damages a section. If a pool builder says he already has a fence sub, that does not mean he always will. The contractor who keeps showing up with clear communication and clean work samples often gets the second chance.

Real-World Example: A fence company owner makes 100 calls to local builders, realtors, and managers. Most do not need help right now. But five ask for pricing sheets, three request insurance certificates, and one asks for emergency repair pricing after a windstorm. That is how the network starts paying off.

Conclusion

Building your first 100 contacts is about creating momentum before the phone rings by itself. In the fence business, deal flow comes from being known by the people closest to fence needs. If you stay consistent, track every contact, and keep your message simple, you will build the start of a real referral engine instead of waiting around for it.