7 Things to Do Before Signing Off on a Residential Fence Installation Project

So, you’re thinking about having a fence installed on your residential property; perhaps you’d simply like some more privacy, or perhaps you want a fenced-in yard for your dog. Either way, there are some steps you’ll want to follow before you sign a contract on any fence installation project. Trust us; we’ve seen it all in the fence business in our 30 years in the D.C. metro area.

Talk to Your Neighbors

If you live in a community where your neighbors are relatively close, it’s good etiquette to talk to your adjacent neighbors about your plans to build the fence. This way, you can make sure that you all agree on the location of your property boundaries and there aren’t any problems down the road. Also, construction of a new fence can be a bit loud, so giving them a heads up of when the installation will take place can help them plan accordingly and avoid tension between you and your neighbors.

Do Your Homework

Check Your Property Line

Speaking of property boundaries, if there is any question about your property line, now is the time to check with your local municipality and obtain a copy of your neighborhood zoning. This way, you can figure out exactly where your lot begins and ends, which will help to avoid arguments with neighbors. Don’t hesitate to provide your neighbors with copies of zoning paperwork to put their minds at ease when you let them know about your intentions to have a fence installed.

Decide on What You Want

Review Your HOA By-Laws

If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association (HOA), then you’ll also want to check with them to ensure that you’re even allowed to build a fence on your property. You can do this by either speaking directly with your HOA board or by checking out the latest copy of your neighborhood by-laws.

Even if you are allowed to build a fence, there may be restrictions in place when it comes to the fence material (some HOAs won’t allow chain link fences, for example), height, or color. By being aware of these ahead of time, you can avoid wasting your money on a fence that doesn’t conform to your HOA rules.

Understand Maintenance Needs

No matter what type of fence you choose to have installed on your property, you will have at least some responsibilities when it comes to caring for and maintaining your fence–that is, if you want it to last you for many years to come.

For example, a wooden fence will need to be either stained or painted from time to time. A chain link fence may need to have holes repaired. Be sure that you’re prepared not only for the cost of installing the fence, but for the costs and time associated with maintaining it as well.

Ask About Permitting

Finally, understand that most cities require homeowners to obtain a permit before having a fence installed. More than likely, your fence installation company will take care of applying for and obtaining the necessary permits ahead of time, and this will be included in your quote. However, you shouldn’t always assume that this is the case, especially if you’re hiring a contractor to do the work. Check in your contract and estimate paperwork to make sure that the installation company will be the one taking care of getting the permit.

As you can see, there’s a lot that needs to be done before you decide to have a fence installed on your property. If you’re looking for a reliable company that you can count on to install a quality fence on your property in a timely manner, be sure to contact us. We’d be happy to provide you with a quote for your fencing project.