Wednesday 6 May 2015

Choosing a Contractor 101

It’s that time of the year when spring clean-ups are complete and it’s time for renovations to begin. Choosing the right contractor will help keep your renovations on time and budget. For many homeowners choosing the right contractor can be more overwhelming than the project itself. We have compiled a list to help you decide on the right contractor to help with your project.
What to Look for in a Contractor
  • Liability Insurance and WSIB Coverage
    1. It’s a law
  • Affiliations & Memberships in Trade Associations
    1. Show investment in their industry and responsibility
  • Signed Contracts
    1. Do they have contracts?
    2. Are there warranties associated with labour materials?
  • Visa or Cheque Deposits
    1. Don’t give cash deposits, Visa or Cheque are easily traceable
  • Nature of Estimator
    1. Business Cards, Contracts, Knowledge of Company Procedures
    2. Company Logo Displayed
    3. Prepared with Pricing and Product Options

How Much Deposit Should a Customer Give?
  • This question is company specific
  • Each Organization has their own policy on deposits

Completion Date on Contract?
  • If necessary, a tentative completion date can be given
  • Completion dates will be weather permitting anyway, so nothing would be guaranteed

 CFIA
  • The Canadian Fence Industry Association is a non-profit organization whose members include professional contractors, retailers, agents, wholesalers and manufacturers of fence products and related service. We are dedicated to representing high construction standards as well as a high level of ethical business behavior in a competitive market place.

Call Before You Dig ON1Call 1-800-400-2255
Speak to Your Neighbours – re: your fence project
Read your Local Fence By-Laws – Height Restrictions

Do you have any other tips or advice to add to the list? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
 

Friday 20 March 2015

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week


March 15-21, 2015 marks Canadian Agricultural Safety Week presented by Farm Credit Canada. The purpose of this campaign is to educate and empower producers and their families on the importance of practising safe agriculture. According to the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) every year Canada mourns the loss of about 100 adults and 12 children due to agricultural fatalities. CASA’s role is to mend the gap between how safe farmers believe they behave and what is actually occurring.

Here are 5 steps to prevent injuries (courtesy of Workplace Safety and Prevention Services)

1. Recognize the hazards. Agricultural operations involve a lot of moving parts to get the job done. This includes machinery, related equipment, moving vehicles etc. Identifying, assessing and managing hazards will help prevent injuries, and protect your operation from disruption and loss.

2. Maintain, operate and repair equipment properly and safely. Follow manufactures specifications, keep everything in prime running order, use proper safety equipment and make sure everyone is up to date on training.

3. Ensure supervisors and workers have the expertise and skills needed to do their jobs. Under the act, supervisors are responsible for

    • Ensuring a safe workplace and assigning safe work
    • Providing training and information
    • Supervising workers

4. Use the right equipment for the job. Machines are carefully engineered to eliminate hazards related to tipping, rolling, over falling etc. Employers who “jerry-rig” the equipment are exposing their workers to hazards and compromise the integrity of the equipment.

5. If you have to change the design of a hopper or any other piece of farm machinery, involve an engineer in both the design and installation. Equipment design changes fall within the practice of professional engineering. In Ontario, section 12(1) of the Professional Engineers Act requires that this work be done by a holder of a licence, a temporary licence or a limited licence. Under section 12(3) (b) of the act, this work may also be done by an unlicensed individual who has a licence holder assume responsibility for the engineering work.

For more information check out the resources below!
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association



Tuesday 10 March 2015

Spring Tips from Roma Fence

Although it may see like we will never thaw out, the days are getting longer, the sunshine is getting warmer and spring is finally within reach! After many dark, cold months spring is a welcome change. However with all the new life and bright sunlight, the damage of a harsh winter is magnified. Here are some key areas to inspect when spring cleanup time arrives:

 
 
 
1. Inspect concrete around posts for damage, any cracks caused from frost should be fixed right away to maintain the integrity of the posts.

2. Clean all debris from around the fence such as a buildup of fallen leaves and dead weeds; this will help prevent rotting.

3. Check your fence for any screws and nails that may have been pushed out due to the frost; they can be a safety hazard for both children and pets and will also compromise the integrity of your fence.

4. Replace any cracked boards, and look for any knots that have created weak spots.

5. Power wash and scrub your fence to remove any dirt and grime; this will remove any mold and minimize the chances of your fence rotting out.

6. Now is also a great time to paint, stain or reseal your fence; doing so will give the fence an extra layer of protection from drying out and warping.
We highly recommend including your fence in a spring cleanup. Be sure to spot and fix any issues quickly, doing so will greatly extend the life of your fence, keeping your family and loved ones safe and secure.

We would be more than happy to help you with a spring inspection. Please call a location near you for more information!

 

Roma Fence Brampton: 416-798-7566Roma Fence West (Milton) 905-875-2801Roma Fence East (Gormley) 416-213-7270Roma Fence (Hamilton) 905-574-7662

 Recources:
http://www.naturalartfence.com/blog/spring-is-here-time-for-some-maintenance-on-your-fences/

Thursday 29 January 2015

Agricultural Fencing Ontario

HISTORY

Historic Farm Fence*
Agricultural fencing also known as farm fencing has been around for hundreds of years. Originally animals were allowed to roam free and farm fencing was used to keep livestock out of crops, gardens and places they were unwanted. As the population became more dense, and land was occupied by buildings and plants we started using farm fence to create perimeters around the animals therefore fencing them in, quite contrary to it's original purpose!
Early farm fences were made of materials most easily found such as stone or wood. Nowadays farm fences are manufactured from wire and installed with wood and steel posts.
Roma Fence is proud to distribute our very own line of agricultural fence products produced at our manufacturing plant, Acculink Fence & Wire Inc. in Bolton, Ontario.

Sure-Lock Knot
A notable feature of our product line is our Sure-Lock Knot technology. This speciality knot provides superior resistance to movement during adverse weather conditions, animal penetration or climbing. The line wires are crimped for added flexibility to allow the fence to be installed over varying terrain.

 
HEAVY STYLE SURE-LOCK TIGHT LOCK FENCE
Heavy style Sure-Lock Fence is manufactured with 9-3/4 gauge wire and is available with either Class 1 Zinc Coating or a Class 3 Coati ng. This is a long lasting fence suitable for cattle ranching, highway right of way and general perimeter fencing of fields and yards.
 

HIGH TENSILE SURE-LOCK TIGHT LOCK FARM FENCE High Tensile Sure-Lock Farm Fence is manufactured with 12-1/2 gauge Class 3 galvanized wire. Line wire tensile of 180 to 210,000 psi increases fence strength while providing a economical fencing alternative. High Tensile wire fencing requires little or no maintenance and when installed properly is will not sag or stretch. High Tensile Tight Lock Farm Fence is suitable to control livestock, protect crops and to enclose pastures and compounds.
 
All of our agricultural fencing products are sold in 20 and 40 rod rolls, and are produced in a variety of heights suit your needs. Our mild wire (948-12-9-3/4 class 3) and high tensile (949-12-12-1/2 class 3) fences are approved by the Ministry of Transportation!
 
Fun Fact: High tensile (H-T or HT) fencing is a special hard, springy steel wire was introduced in the 1970s and has slowly gained acceptance
 
Our product line includes:
SURE-LOCK TIGHT LOCK FENCE
HEAVY STYLE SURE-LOCK TIGHT LOCK FENCE
HIGH TENSILE SURE-LOCK TIGHT LOCK FARM FENCE
HIGH TENSILE SURE-LOCK TIGHT LOCK WILDLIFE FENCE
WATCHMAN SURE-LOCK TIGHT LOCK FENCE

For details and specifications of each product please visit our website or contact a Roma location near you:

Roma Fence Brampton: 416-798-7566
Roma Fence West (Milton) 905-875-2801
Roma Fence East (Gormley) 416-213-7270
Roma Fence (Hamilton) 905-574-7662

 

Wednesday 14 January 2015

Top 7 Reasons to Consider Installing a Fence



 
1. Privacy: The most obvious reason for installing a fence around the perimeter of your property is for privacy. A fence will block views into your backyard and vice versa.

2. Noise Reduction: Although neighbours are wonderful, adding a fence around your property will keep out the chatter and noise going on around you, helping create a backyard oasis.

 
3. Landscape/Decor: Incorporating a fence into your property gives climbing plants something to lean on, also selecting a decorative iron fence can really extend the interior design of your home to your outdoor living space. Fences can and be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

4. Property Value: When listing your home, every upgrade counts. Most buyers value the addition of a fence for their children or pets therefore increasing your property’s value.

5. Safety: Fences are an integral part of keeping your family and pets safe. A fence will keep children and pets in an enclosed area out of harm’s way, and most importantly will avoid many accidents when installed around a pool or pond.

6. Security: Installing a fence will provide security around your home, it blocks vision as well as unwanted passage. Chain link is a great choice to cover both small and large areas.

7. Creates Boundaries: A Fence will create boundaries around your property and help provide a visual of where your property begins and ends.

Tuesday 6 January 2015

Pro-Tip Tuesday: Chain Link Buying Guide


This week’s advice is all about chain link. Although choosing the right chain link might seem like a daunting task with all the options available, we have put together a brief overview that will guide you through the process.
Why chain link fence?
Chain link fence is known for its durability and low maintenance. It is also very cost effective when covering a large or small area, Acculink’s chain link fence carries a warranty on its product against rust and corrosion. Our chain link is also available in a variety of colours and finishes, allowing the fence to blend into your décor seamlessly. Choosing a chain link system offers an economical solution for security which is maintenance free.

Purposes
Chain link can be used in almost any situation, you will find a higher security fence around the perimeter of an industrial area, or a shorter chain link fence around a pool, school or residential property. Chain link is also used in our dog kennels and along major roads and highways. We offer two types of finishes, “knuckle-knuckle” which is a smooth, safe finish (for schools, homes etc) and alternatively “twisted-knuckle” (industrial, security fences etc) which is a sharp, twisted edge to help prevent climbing.

Design and Materials
We manufacture our chain-link fence onsite giving us full quality control in workmanship. We offer many options to suit your application. Standard size chain link is either 1 ½” or 2” diamond size in an 11, 9 or 6 gauge material. Some key factors that set us apart from other chain link suppliers are our fence heights that range from 18” to 144”, diamond sizes from 3/8” to 4” and lengths of 25’ to 100’ per roll. We manufacture our chain link in either a galvanized finish or extruded PVC (vinyl) in black, brown, white, or green. Custom colours are also available.
 
We highly recommend looking into chain link fencing if you need a cost effective, low maintenance solution and Acculink’s products are known for their high quality and durability. For more information on this and other products please visit www.romafencegroup.com or contact at location near you:
Roma Fence Brampton: 416-798-7566
Roma Fence West (Milton) 905-875-2801
Roma Fence East (Gormley) 416-213-7270
Roma Fence (Hamilton) 905-574-7662