Sousa & Sons iron works inc

There are two stories running through this North Dartmouth shop's reviews, and they don't reconcile easily. The craftsmanship gets real praise: a 2022 customer called their fabricated driveway gate flawless and named Norberto an excellent craftsman, and a 2025 reviewer summed the work up as very clean with impressive welding skills. The company is family owned, and its website traces its history to a small New Bedford iron fence shop started in 1977 — though BBB lists the business as started in 2005. The other story is about getting them to answer. Across 12 Google ratings averaging 3.7, four one-star reviews land on the same theme: a 2022 customer called four times about a driveway gate and never heard back; a 2023 vinyl-fence customer reported the gate sagging within a month of install, then months of unanswered texts and calls despite what they said was a promised lifetime guarantee on labor and materials; a 2024 reviewer said the company agreed to a job at an accepted price, then refused it. The newest review, from this July, describes being ghosted for four weeks after two quote visits. When the crew does show up, the accounts are strong — a 2024 customer described yard leveling done well with a crew that explained the options, and 2022 reviewers praised the help from measuring and planning through final installation. Its BBB page carries an A+ grade, though the business is not accredited and shows no complaints filed. The fit here is custom ironwork — gates, ornamental railings, spiral staircases — and standard fencing in vinyl, wood, chain link, and wrought iron across southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island. Before booking, get the timeline, the follow-up contact, and any warranty promise in writing, and expect to be persistent about communication if anything needs service after the install.