There are many reasons a person may need to put up a fence. A new fence can give your yard more privacy, while boosting the value of your home, and provide it with more security. Fence installation may appear to be a large task, but planning is half the battle. The rest of the project will fall into place quickly after you have a solid strategy in place and permits in hand.
Learn how to prevent the most common blunders by reading the list below. Consider the following factors in addition to materials, fence kinds, and design:
1. Include Fence Installation in Your Plans to Upgrade
In all probability, you’ll need to get something out of your yard that’s either huge or heavy at some point. It would be better if access was easy. You may need to retrieve a tree stump or add dirt to build up your backyard. It’s wise to prepare for such situations by designing a detachable panel into your plans to upgrade your property’s value by installing a fence.
2. Let Your Neighbors Know
Know where the boundaries of your property are. Talk to your neighbors whose property borders where you want to install your fence. You should inform them of your plans so that you do not cross property lines. Doing so, may result in a legal dispute, so never take for granted that your property lines are in a square or level for that matter.
3. Get a Building Permit
Fences are noticeable features that have an impact on the appearance of homes and neighborhoods. It’s likely that if you begin fence installation without a permit, you could wind up in big trouble. Get a building/fence permit from your local building or planning office. When you get the permit, you should get a copy of all the rules and regulations that apply to fence installation in your area.
4. Decide on the Height of the Fence
Before you go out and buy a fence, think about how high you want it. Don’t forget to check with your local zoning department about the requirements for fence installation. Your 5-foot high fence may be too much and a 4-foot fence is all you need to create an adequate property line.
5. Plan for Extra Wide Gates
Sometimes getting a lawnmower or other equipment to your back yard may be a little difficult. Getting through this gate can be aggravating and annoying. Let’s face it: the small gates that came with the home are outdated and may need upgrading.
Make sure to include at least two gate entries when planning gate doors. One of them should be wider than the other to make bringing bulky equipment to the back easy. Depending on the equipment you have is how much clearance is needed. Normally, the gate entrance should be at least 4-ft wide.
6. Determine the Kinds of Materials
For fence installation, how many posts are you going to need? You’ll also need to know the best materials to use. Use the property line stakes as a reference point and measure the distance between each stake to determine the materials required.
Add the measurements together and make sure to add extra for gate openings. After that, do a sketch of your yard and note the locations of your fence posts, keeping them 8 feet apart or less. You don’t want your fence to sag.
The more fence posts you have, the greater wind and gravity resistance your fence will have. Before committing to a type of fence installation, carefully weigh your options. Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each material.