Did you know the fencing US fencing industry is worth $10 billion? Whether you’re having your fence installed professionally or you’re doing it yourself, knowing market trends can help you save money on your installation.
Being prepared in advance, however, can save you money and time, but how can you go about doing it? How can you know what’s needed before getting started, and how can you make sure you have it all in time? Luckily, we’re here to help.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about preparing for your fencing installation.
Know Your Property Lines
This is the biggest thing to know ahead of your installation. Not only is it going to help you know where your property lines are if you need them again, but it’s also going to help ensure you don’t fence on your neighbor’s property.
Hiring a surveyor is going to be the easiest way to have your property surveyed, and it’s going to help you prevent any disputes that might come up between you and your neighbors. Some municipalities also require you to submit the survey with your permit application, so it might be a mandatory requirement for your installation.
Obtain All Your Permits
Simply searching “best fence companies near me” isn’t going to guarantee that you end up with a fencing company that takes all the necessary steps before starting on your fence installation. You want to make sure that any fencing company you hire is going to take the necessary steps to get all the permits you need to start the installation process.
If you’re installing the fence yourself, then you’re going to need to know about permitting laws in your area. In some places, you don’t have to obtain anything for fencing under six feet, but other areas are going to require it.
To know the laws in your area, simply hop online and search “fence permitting laws (insert your location name here).” From there, you’ll be able to access all the information you need to get started.
Don’t Forget to Notify the Proper People
Besides the city, you’ll also need to notify people like your neighbors (especially if they’re paying for half) and your neighborhood’s Homeowner’s Association if it has one.
Failing to let your HOA know about your fencing install can result in fines, and you also run the risk of using the wrong materials. If this is the case, you’re going to have to have the fence replaced, which can cost a lot of money depending on the required material.
Are There Any Height Limits?
In some areas, you’re going to be limited to a 4-foot fence in the front and a 6-foot one in the back. In other areas, there isn’t going to be any height limit at all. Rules are going to vary by your area and your neighborhood, so make sure you check with both before getting started.
It’s important to note that if you go higher than an 8-foot fence, depending on the material, you start running the risk of wind damage.
Materials Matter
Obviously, your material choice is going to vary depending on the fence. You might not even have much of a choice if you live in a deed-restricted community, as some have contracts with specific fence installers, and you’re likely limited to PVC or metal fencing in a specific range of colors.
If you’re not limited, however, then this is where you can get creative. Popular materials include vinyl and cedar if you’re in need of privacy fencing, or aluminum and chain link if your aim is simply containment.
The affordability of each product is going to vary, with vinyl typically being the most expensive and cedar or chain link being the most accessible. If you have a lot of property to fence with a limited budget, then it’s important to aim for value when you’re choosing your fencing material. Speaking of fencing material, you can buy high quality horse fencing from Derby Fence.
It’s completely possible to build a privacy fence on a budget, you’re just going to have to take your time and conduct some research before you reach a final decision.
Don’t Forget Maintenance
Maintenance is also going to vary depending on the material you choose. Vinyl is definitely a great low-maintenance option that can hold up well through different weather. It’s also not prone to rot and can come with a great warranty.
Chain link is another durable material, but the possibility of rust is always there (though it usually takes a while). It’s another low-maintenance option but requires annual cleaning and rust protection. You should also make repairs as they’re needed instead of waiting for different problems to pop up and fix them all at once.
Cedar fences require annual maintenance, otherwise, they can experience rot. Another great way to prevent rot is by removing any and all debris as they come up. While it can require a bit more care than other types of fencing, cedar or wood fences are beautiful options that are easy to customize, and they last a long time under the proper conditions.
Ready For Your Fencing Installation?
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of preparing for your fencing installation, it’s time for you to get started. Whether you’re replacing your fencing yourself, or you’re hiring a professional to do it, these tips are going to help you along every step of the way.
Remember to get started with these tips in advance, though, so you’re not scrambling to have everything set up on your installation day.