Things to Consider Before Installing a Fence

Whether you’re looking to keep your pets in, add privacy, or block noise, installing a fence is a great way to turn your backyard into a private oasis. But before you begin construction, there are a few things you should consider to ensure that your new fence will meet all your needs.

Identify the Reason for Building the Fence

Before you start to install your fence, it’s important to figure out why you want to build one in the first place. It will help you make decisions about the size, type, and style of fence you want to install. It’s also an excellent opportunity to figure out if you’ll need a building permit.

Determine Your Property Lines

Before beginning your project, you should take the time to mark your property lines with wooden stakes and a string. This will ensure that you’re not encroaching on your neighbor’s property without their permission or consent. You can use your plat of survey to mark the boundaries of your lot, or hire a professional to do it for you.

Determining your property line is crucial for many reasons, but mainly because it will affect how you install your fence. For instance, if your lot is irregularly shaped or has several jogs, you’ll need to adjust your fence panels to accommodate the changes in the ground. In some cases, you can even rake the fence’s panels to compensate for the slope of the land.

The easiest method is to simply rake the panels to follow the contours of the land, but if the slope of your yard is severe or your fence is very tall, it may be more appropriate to errect a stepped panel design. This will allow the bottom of each panel to rest directly on the ground and leave no gaps between the bottom of the rails and the soil.

Cost of Materials

A fence is a very expensive addition to your home, so it’s crucial to calculate how much the material you need will cost. This includes the wood and other necessary hardware, as well as the labor involved in installation.

Once you’ve calculated your total budget, discuss the materials with a professional. They will be able to recommend the best type of materials for your particular situation and help you determine how much fencing you’ll need.

Measure Your Fence Posts and Fence Panels

When you’re ready to begin assembling your fence, make sure that all the pieces are in order. This includes the fence posts, fence panels and top and bottom rails. You can do this by taking measurements of the entire structure, including its length and width.

Be very careful when setting the fence posts, as you’ll want them to be in the proper position at every corner of the structure. Depending on the length of the fence, you may have to dig holes at each corner and then set the posts in the holes.

Using the correct measurements will help you avoid digging in the wrong spot, which can be very frustrating and waste a lot of materials. It’s a good idea to get a friend to double-check your measurements, too. If you need a fence installation services make sure you hire the best fence company in Houston.