Adding a fence to your home is a great way to upgrade your property. Whether you are adding a new fence or rebuilding an old one, a new fence will make your property more livable and add value. But before you go ahead with your fence building project, you should look out for these five common fence installation mistakes to avoid. If you keep these mistakes in mind now, you can save yourself a lot of trouble in the future.
You Don’t Know Your Property Line
Many homeowners choose to build a fence along their property lines. It gives them the largest enclosed space possible and helps identify the edge of their property. But building on property lines can be risky. If you build just a few inches over the edge of your property, you may find yourself in legal trouble. It is illegal to build a fence on someone else’s property without their express permission.
At Bravo Fence Company, we recommend two safety procedures to avoid a misplaced fence. First, get your plat or property map. It can help you identify the limits of your property. Second, build a few inches or a full foot inside your property line. You won’t be giving up much space, and it could save you from inadvertently crossing the line. If you do cross the line, you could face steep fines or even be forced to take down the fence. That would be a terrible waste, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
You Don’t Know Where Utilities are Buried
Just as you need to find official documents to determine your property line, you need to contact your utility company to determine the official location of any utility lines. The last thing you need when during your fence installation is to dig a fence post and run into a utility wire or pipe. Hitting wires could be dangerous, and breaking a pipe can cause serious problems. It’s best to avoid these problems from the outset by confirming the location of any local utility lines with your local utilities.
You Don’t Know Local Regulations
Local regulations imposed by counties, cities, and homeowners associations can seem onerous and unnecessary. But regardless of your feelings about them, they are the law, and you could pay dearly for ignoring them. Many local governments and HOAs regulate aspects of your fence like its height, placement relative to the public right-of-way, materials, and styles. Failing to note and adhere to these regulation is one of the most common fence installation mistakes we see, and it can have dire consequences.
Typically, local governments are more concerned with safety and right of way. For instance, many local governments prohibit fences that block the view of oncoming cars on a corner property. They also may require building several feet back from the local right of way. Even if your property extends to the edge of a sidewalk, you may have to build the fence a few inches or feet from the sidewalk.
One of the primary duties of an HOA is to maintain and improve property values. To that end, many HOAs regulate the appearance of new fences. They can limit fence materials, heights, and even styles. So before you plan your perfect fence, it makes sense to see what choices are available on your property.
If you fail to adhere to county or city regulations, you may be fined or even ordered to remove the offending fence. HOAs may be able to fine you by the day for an “illegal” fence. If you refuse to pay up, they could put a lien on your property, and that’s no fun!
The Wrong Materials
Choosing the proper material is among the most critical choices you need to make to prepare for your new fence installation. Different materials have different characteristics. Some materials may lend themselves to your needs and concerns, while others may require not. Choosing the wrong material for your needs nad lifestyle is a common mistake.
Wood is one of the most common and traditional fence materials available. It is nearly ubiquitous for privacy fences. However, it also requires more maintenance than most other materials. Wood needs to be restrained or painted every few years, and it is susceptible to rot and infestation. You also need to regularly check the bottom fence posts for rot. But if you want a good-looking, sturdy fence, wood is still a great choice.
If low-maintenance is important to you, vinyl fences take the cake. There is very little maintenance beyond a simple wash with a hose when needed. Colors and styles are slightly more limited than with wood because vinyl comes in complete fence panels. But there are still plenty of good choices.
For price, nothing beats chain link. If you have a large area to enclose, chain link can help control costs. There are also plenty of ways to dress up residential chain link so that it doesn’t look too industrial.
For a classic, sophisticated look, try ornamental metal fencing. Steel and aluminum offer lower maintenance than wrought iron and are much cheaper. In some cases, you can even install complete metal fence panels to speed up installation and reduce costs.
The Wrong Fence Company
DIY fence installation sounds like a good way to save money, but common fence installation mistakes can be costly. ON the other hand, installing a fence can be a straightforward job for the right professionals. Unfortunately, not every business that calls itself fence installers is the right fit. Prices can fluctuate, and so can quality. The last thing you want is to get stuck with a fencing company that isn’t reliable. We’ve heard horror stories about no-shows, shoddy work, poor customer service, and even jobs left unfinished. Luckily, you don’t have to put up with unreliable installers because you have already found Bravo Fence Company. We have experienced builders committed to high-quality work and excellent customer service. We work with customers to build the fence of their dreams at prices they can afford. Contact Bravo Fence Company today for your free estimate.
