Are you thinking about building a property fence for your home? There’s a lot to consider. Check out the things you should know before buying a fence here.
There are many reasons why you might want to buy a property fence. You could want to avoid your dog jumping into the neighbor’s yard or want a little privacy.
Whatever your reason is, buying a property fence is quite the investment. Here are some things you should know.
Do a Property Survey
Doing a land survey should be your priority before you build your fence. This is because the last thing you want is for your fence to inch toward your neighbor’s yard, causing tension and perhaps a lawsuit. The process for finding out how your property is oriented to your neighbors is to check out the boundary survey you should have gotten when you bought the house. Alternately, if you don’t have a boundary survey or your house is over five years old, you can get a new one and determine your yard’s boundaries. One thing you shouldn’t do is rely on someone else to tell you where their boundary stops and yours starts. Humans are notorious for miscalculating things, and you don’t want to depend on anyone for information about your property.
Check Fence Ordinances
Fence ordinances are extremely important to the fence installation process. While your home likely needs a fence, you have to check if you can even install one given your city or town’s ordinances. Many neighborhoods have Homeowner Associations that dictate nuances like house paint colors, lawn height, and whether or not you should plant trees on the property. This is especially true for gated and planned communities that reach a certain standard. If you have a steel lattice fence and everyone else has vinyl, depending on the organization, you could be fined or at least have complaints filed against you.
Choose the Right Material
Finding the right material is something you should think about before buying your fence. Ideally, it should complement your house in color, size, and material. There are many materials to choose from, each with its pros and cons. You can choose horizontal boards, a picket fence, or a metal latticework fence. Cedar resists wood rot and decay exceedingly well. It’s also resistant to insects that eat through the wood—such as termites—making it long-lasting. The material is also beautiful. There are many choices. You just have to find the right one for you.
In short, installing a property fence is a huge undertaking. It’s not a responsibility you should take lightly. However, with these tips, you will be well on your way to making the right choice.
