7 Key Things You Should Know Before You Build a Fence
There’s more to building a fence than just making sure it’s okay with your neighbors. Keep reading for 7 key things you should know before you build a fence.
After years of living in a sans-fence home, you’ve decided to make the leap; You’ve decided to install a fence. However, before you go and do so, there are a few different things you should know.
Wondering what these things are? Then read on. Here are seven key things you should know before you build a fence.
Here’s What You Should Know Before You Build a Fence
You should never install a fence on a whim. Installing a fence is a big decision, one which should be considered carefully. Before you begin the fence building process, you should now these 7 things.
- Installers Aren’t Created Equal
First and foremost, you should know that not all fence installers are created equal. Whereas some installers have been installing fences for decades and have nearly impeccable track records, other installers are fairly new to the process and might not yet possess the skill necessary to consistently carry out proper installations.
For this reason, you need to find several installers and compare them against one another. When doing so, consider characteristics such as experience, reputation, certification, warranties, and cost. Ultimately, the key is to find an experienced and reputable installer whose services fit into your budget. If you reside in New South Wales, you could check out Sidepost for fencing contractors in Sydney and neighboring cities.
Failure to choose a quality installer could have repercussions down the line. For instance, a less-than-reputable installer could install your fence poles unevenly, causing your fence to deteriorate far before its time.
- You Will Likely Need a Permit
In many municipalities, homeowners are required to apply for permits before making any major additions to their properties. In your municipality, a fence could very well count as a major addition.
Because of this, before beginning the installation process, you need to make a call to your local government. Your local government will be able to inform you of any permits that you must obtain prior to the installation.
Note, however, that some fence installation companies will handle this task for you. If you’d rather not go through the trouble, you’re advised to hire such a company.
- Property Boundaries are Important
One of the biggest mistakes you could make while installing a fence is installing it over your property line. Should you incidentally intrude into your neighbor’s yard, you could end up facing some extreme legal consequences in the future.
If you’re installing your fence on your own, you’re advised to bring in a professional land surveyor. He or she can inform you of your yard’s boundary. He or she will also inform you as to the location of various utility lines.
On the other hand, if you hire a company to install your fence for you, the company will likely handle this process.
- You Have a Variety of Materials to Choose From
There is no shortage of fence materials for you to choose from. Each of these materials has a lot to offer in terms of functionality and aesthetic and should be considered carefully before the installation process has begun.
Some of the more durable options include steel, wrought iron, aluminum, and fiber cement. Some of the less durable (but cheaper) options include chain link, vinyl, and wood.
Looking for more information on these materials? This article should be of some use to you.
- Maintenance is a Necessity
If you’re truly looking to get the most out of your fence, you must do everything in your power to maintain it. Note, however, that some fencing materials require more maintenance than do others. So, before you make a purchase on a material, you need to know whether or not you have the time, capabilities, or resources necessary to perform upkeep on it.
The most maintenance-intensive material is wood, a material which requires regular staining and sealing. Highly vulnerable to inclement weather, wood is a little too much work for some homeowners
Next up on the totem pole are the metal materials: steel, aluminum, wrought iron, and chain link. These materials are all vulnerable to rust after 5 or so years of use, and so require moderate maintenance.
At the bottom of the totem pole are the synthetic materials: fiber cement and vinyl. These materials are meant to hold up against inclement weather and sunlight, allowing them to maintain their structural integrity throughout the duration of their existence.
- Trees and Vegetation Could Interfere With the Installation
When planning the installation of your fence, you need to be cognizant of any trees or vegetation that might interfere with it. Think not only about the positioning of these trees and shrubs now but about their positioning in the future as well. After all, if allowed to grow, they could very well make contact with your fence.
If there are any trees or vegetation which you deem to be a problem, you have a few different options.
One option is to cut them down prior to the installation. Another option is to lay the fence out so as to avoid the trees and vegetation altogether. The third option is to maintain the trees and vegetation over the years so that they don’t eventually make contact with the fence.
- A Fence is an Investment
There’s really no doubt about it: installing a fence is expensive. Regardless of the size of your yard, and regardless of the fence material you choose, you’re bound to spend thousands of dollars on it.
But there’s no reason to feel bad about spending such a large sum of money. While it is, indeed, costly initially, you have to remember that it will be spread out over 20 to 100 years of the fence’s life. Think of it as an investment, and not as a one-time purchase.
Looking for More Home Improvement Information?
Now that you know what to consider before you build a fence, you can get started with the installation process. Simply find a reputable installer whose services are within your price range, and you’ll be reaping the benefits of a new fence in no time.
Looking for more home improvement information? Night Helper is the place to be. Our site is loaded with information of all kinds, a good deal of which is based around home improvement.
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