Jason Falco: Why Hiring a Local Contractor Beats Big Box Installers Every Time

Jason Falco is an accomplished business leader and owner-operator of Stand Strong Fencing in Morrison, Colorado, where he oversees residential and commercial fence installations delivered with craftsmanship and customer-focused service. Bringing decades of operational, managerial, and business development experience—including executive roles at CenturyLink and MCI BPO—Jason Falco built his fencing franchise into the top-performing new location nationwide, generating nearly $1.4 million in revenue in its first 12 months. His background in project management, vendor oversight, and client service directly informs his approach to local contracting, where reliability, communication, and workmanship shape customer experience. With his expertise in evaluating suppliers, developing high-performing teams, and supporting homeowners through structured processes, Jason Falco offers insight into why local contractors consistently outperform big box installers, particularly when homeowners prioritize quality, accountability, and long-term value.

Why Hiring a Local Contractor Beats Big Box Installers Every Time

Homeowners have more choices than ever when it comes to fence installation, and it’s easy to see why some people gravitate toward big box stores. They advertise heavily, meaning they’re familiar, and their name recognition can feel reassuring. But when the project actually begins, the difference between a big box installer and a local contractor often becomes clear almost immediately. Local companies consistently deliver a level of care, communication, and craftsmanship the larger chains are unlikely to match.

A local contractor builds their reputation the old-fashioned way – one project, one homeowner, and one handshake at a time. Their business lives or dies on the quality of the work they produce in the community they call home. That reality changes everything. Instead of working to complete as many jobs as possible, a local contractor focuses on doing the job right because each customer is a neighbor who might recommend (or criticize) them in the very places they shop, eat, and raise their children. That kind of accountability creates pride in every detail, from the accuracy of the estimate to the final inspection.

Another advantage is the consistency of the team. With a local contractor, the same people who answer the phone are often the ones who visit the property, scope out the terrain, and oversee installation. They know the soil, the weather patterns, and the local building codes because they deal with them every day. Big box installers typically outsource their labor to whichever subcontractors are available, which means homeowners often have no idea who will show up, or how much experience they bring to the job. A local team brings familiarity and continuity, and that makes a difference in both efficiency and quality.

Local contractors are also more nimble. If something changes, they adapt. If a customer needs a custom gate that doesn’t fit standard catalog options, they can build it. If they need help navigating HOA requirements, they’ve been through the process dozens of times. When unpredictable Colorado weather delays a project, they stay in close contact and reschedule promptly. Because they aren’t tied to corporate systems or rigid processes, they solve problems quickly instead of passing them off.

Homeowners often assume big box stores are cheaper, but that’s not typically the case. After markup fees, subcontractor costs, and bundled “service packages,” the final price frequently matches or exceeds a local contractor’s quote. On top of that, a local business has every incentive to explain costs openly and help customers understand where their money is going. Transparent communication builds trust and helps avoid the frustrating surprises that can accompany large, impersonal service chains.

What truly separates local contractors, though, is how they treat each project. They see fences not just as physical structures but as something that protects privacy, keeps pets safe, enhances curb appeal, and adds real value to a home. When a contractor lives in the same community as their customers, those outcomes feel personal. They want the installation to reflect well on their company, but they also want it to strengthen their connection to the neighborhood.

In the end, choosing a local contractor means choosing reliability, expertise, and a human relationship that doesn’t disappear the moment the crew leaves the driveway. Big box stores can sell installations, but local professionals deliver craftsmanship, and that difference shows every time.

About Jason Falco

Jason Falco is the owner and operator of Stand Strong Fencing in the Denver area, where he leads residential and commercial fence installations with a focus on quality, transparency, and customer service. His first-year revenues exceeded expectations by 189 percent, earning him the company’s 2024 Brand Champion Award. A former telecommunications and BPO executive, he brings decades of expertise in vendor management, operations, and business development. Jason Falco holds degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Denver, and enjoys golfing, skiing, and international travel.