By Steve Middleton Design • Do It Yourself • Fence Tips • General Information • • • • 4 Comments

How to Estimate the Cost of a New Privacy Fence

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Looking for a way to add beauty, value, security, privacy to your home? Well, a privacy fence not only enhances your home security, but also turns your backyard into a more private area where you can chill out with friends and family. However, this perfect addition comes with significant expenses, and there are things you need to consider when estimating the cost of installing a new privacy fence.

Here are a couple of suggestions to get you started in estimating the cost of installing your new fence.

 

Check Your Zone Laws

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An often-overlooked aspect while determining the cost of installing a privacy fence is securing a permit from the local authority for building outdoor structures. Before investing much of your time and money into fence installation, ensure that you check local zoning laws and that you meet all your local county requirements. To clear any doubts you may have regarding the fence color and materials, also check with your local Homeowner’s Association (HOA). Also, some counties only allow for fencing on a property line, when others require you to offset your fence. So if you cannot locate your property lines, have a surveyor do it for you.

 

Locate your Utility Lines

To avoid incurring extra expenses by accidentally hitting underground wires and pipes, you need to have the water, gas, and power lines marked by a specialist from your local utility company. This also prevents your new fence from being torn out during repair work if you erected it on top of utility lines.

 

Determine the Size of Fence Required

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Fortunately, if you live in a Townhome community you most likely have a plan that clearly indicates your piece of land’s divisions drawn to scale. However, if you don’t have one, you can identify the total amount of fencing materials you will require using a measuring wheel.

As you measure, you will have to install a post after every six to eight feet based on your preferred style and panel size of your fence. To have a more firm fence, you will have to erect the fence posts to about three feet into the ground and add concrete to set them. Installing the fence posts is one of the most costly parts of the installation process due to their large sizes, the labor in drilling the holes as well as the materials to set them. However, you can rent a post-hole digger, a power auger, or purchase the measuring wheel from your local hardware store.

 

Privacy Fence Materials

Different types of material can be used for your privacy fence project, and they vary in price per linear foot. Typically, wood fences are some of the most popular aesthetic options for homeowners since they are more affordable and are much easier to customize compared to other fencing material. To customize your wooden fence, you may opt to apply a stain to either maintain its natural wood appearance and feel or enrich it with your preferred color to suit your unique decorating style. However, you will have to reapply after some time because stain and paint are not permanent. Some of the most popular wood fence styles include:

  • Stockade
  • Board on board fences
  • Tongue and Groove
  • Board and batten
  • Lattice Top

A vinyl privacy fence might be the best fence option if you are looking for a fence that needs little or no maintenance. Vinyl fences are some of the most expensive fencing material, but are the most preferred by homeowners for their quality, durability.

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Tip: Choose material, which suits your needs keeping in mind possible maintenance costs in the future plus the initial installation costs. Make sure that you do proper research before making the final decision because the more expensive type of fence material may be well worth it.

 

Installing Gates

No matter the type of materials you choose, you’ll have to factor in the cost of the gate too. Typically, installing few gates can increase the costs of your fence installation by at least $2,000. However, depending on your preference and community restrictions, you can opt to install gates with a different material than the rest of the fence. 

Bottom Line

Once you’re satisfied with the estimated price, ask for an invoice from the fence company of your choice. They should provide you with an itemized list comprising labor, materials, tools and fence board prices. Always make sure that you inspect the quality of work done before making the payment. For instance, you need to confirm that the boards are in good shape as well as ensuring that all the posts are straight and firm

By Steve Middleton Fence Tips • • • • 0 Comments

8 Ways to Prepare For a New Fence Installation

One of the best ways to protect your property, for example, your home, is by installing a new fence. It enables you to create an extension of your home. That’s by enclosing your yard. It lets you have privacy and security from passersby and burglars. You may choose to install your new fence by yourself. The reason could be you want to cut costs.

However, you may end up spending more in the long run or face fines. That’s as a result of not following building codes and failure to know which permits you need. The best way is by hiring a fence company. These companies have professional employees who have skills in installation.

You also have a choice when hiring them. That’s because the best fence companies have websites. These sites enable you to check their previous experiences with clients. Before you hire them, you need to know how to prepare for the installation. This post gives you 8 ways to prepare for a new fence installation.

 

Know Your Property Line

  • One way to prepare for a new fence installation is by marking your property. As a homeowner, you may be tempted to adjust estimates on where your property edges are. Ignoring where your property boundaries are in the local council map could land you in trouble.
  • Keep in mind that they can instruct you to demolish your fence just for extending your property by 2 inches. The best way is by hiring a fence company.
  • The best fence companies will ensure that they know where to install your fence. That’s by checking out your local building codes. The costs of these processes will be in their quotes.

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Consult With Your Neighbors

  • You need to consult with your neighbors, for example, if you share a boundary. Your neighborhood’s rules may also stipulate fences should be of a particular design and size.
  • Most neighborhoods also have associations. As you prepare for your new fence installation, ensure you follow their rules.
  • One way is by building one that matches the building codes and encloses your entire property. You should then build an inner fence that surrounds your pool or house for privacy if you want.

Materials

  • Preparing for a new fence installation also involves choosing the type of materials to use in construction. For instance, you may prefer an aluminum fence or a wood fence.
  • Remember that particular neighborhoods have different fence preferences. It also enables you to plan your budget depending on the types of material you are using.

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Remove Obstacles

  • Obstacles make even the best fence companies have difficulties when constructing one. They include tree stumps, large rocks and also hanging branches.
  • You also need to check for slopes. That’s because these factors increase your budget, for example, fence panels.
  • One tip is to consider constructing an aluminum fence in the case of slopes. The reason is you can adjust the number of panels in the ground. That allows you to use the extra ones on hill slopes.

 

Create a Checklist

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You need to create checklists. That will enable you to have all the materials and tools you need to use in the new fence installation. You also need to have extra funds, for example, 15% of the total budget. That’s as a result of other emergencies arising as the construction starts. These emergencies could be you deciding to have particular designs that suit your tastes.

 

Check Utility Installations

  • As you prepare for the new fence installation, you also need to ensure that you don’t destroy utility facilities. They include sewage lines and water pipes.
  • You don’t want disputes with your neighbors for disrupting water supply or bursting sewer pipes as you put up your new fence.
  • One benefit of hiring the best fence companies is that they carry out inspections before starting installation works.

Budget Planning

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  • When preparing to install your new fence, you should remember that different building materials come with various maintenance costs. For instance, if you choose a wood fence, you will bring a natural look to your home.
  • However, you will need to maintain it on a regular basis. That’s because a wood fence needs to get applied with moisture sealant regularly. That prevent rotting or warping.
  • A wood fence also needs stain. That enables it to have a natural look or appear different from others.
  • An aluminum fence, on the other hand, gives your fence an elegant look. It also lasts long and is rust resistant. It’s also cost friendly, enabling you to cater for other pressing needs.

Choosing the Fence Company

  • Another tip when preparing to put up a new fence is by knowing how to choose the best fence companies. Select those that offer written estimates after completing physical inspections.
  • You should also consider those with physical addresses within your locality. Another way to find the best companies is by reading online client reviews on their websites.
  • By following these processes, you will be able to hire a fence company that suits your needs.

 

Final Thoughts

Preparing for a new fence installation should be easier using the above guide. Check your budget estimates and read online reviews of the best fence companies. Remember to follow building codes to avoid unnecessary disputes with neighbors.