Everyone would like to have a lovely garden. But having a nice garden also means you have to protect it, and until energy shields become a reality, fencing is the best way. Fences protect your house and garden from intruders, neighbors’ pets, keeping your own pet inside, and protecting your privacy. Whatever the reason may be, fences are important. And more important is to do them right.
It’s easy to go overboard sometimes, and the fencing cost can skyrocket. Sometimes, even the tiniest fence can cost you like it is made of gold. Here are 5 tips about how to avoid costly mistakes when installing a new fence:
- Check if you need planning permission.
This is the first thing you should do. You should check if you need a permit and what kind of fences are allowed in that area. The regulations about the height and the materials can vary a lot depending on the region and even the neighborhood. Check with the local Homeowners’ Association or the local authorities.
- Explore your property boundaries.
Yes, it is another legal issue you have to deal with. unfortunately, there is a lot of that before you can actually start building a fence. But disregarding these legal requirements can result in you having to tear down the fence and even suffer legal consequences. So, determining the exact borders of your property is important.
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If you already have an old fence, you probably have the boundaries set. But it never hurts to double-check, just to be safe. You wouldn’t want to build your fence on your neighbor’s land -again. If you need additional information on property boundaries, go to the government property boundaries page. There you can check your property limits, make a border arrangement with your neighbor, etc.
- Plan thoroughly
One of the most common mistakes is overbuying or not buying enough materials for the fence. We tend to overbuy because we don’t want to risk stopping the work because we are waiting for the materials to arrive, and sometimes we simply take the wrong measurements.
The not-buying-enough mistake is always due to the wrong measurements. Who would knowingly buy less material than he needs and risk delaying the build?
There is an excellent way to avoid this kind of problem – be careful and thorough while taking measures. Mark every corner of your yard with a pole, and always measure at 90 degrees angle. Do not cut corners. If you need to bypass a tree, a hydrant, or something else unmovable. Take that into account. Do not simply guess, but precisely measure the added distance.
The most important thing, though, is to make sure you don’t hit any utility lines. Find out if there are any gas, electric, or water lines running underneath the area you are planning to build on. Hitting them accidentally could cause enormous expenses because they are never cheap to repair.
- Research types of fences
Another important factor when it comes to avoiding expensive mistakes. You need to decide on the best fencing system for you. You shouldn’t consider only the short-term expenses but also the future maintenance costs.
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Things you should consider are:
- installation,
- maintenance,
- the average lifespan
- durability.
You should do the math and then decide. The most popular options are wood, concrete, and metal. Each one has its pros and cons. Steel and wood require regular painting and protection, while concrete is heavy, requires foundations, and is more demanding to build with, but requires less maintenance.
- Don’t try to cut corners on important things.
You may be tempted to go for cheaper materials, and it’s completely understandable because building a fence is a large investment. It’s ok to try to save money where it can’t do any harm but trying to cut corners in some essential parts of the build can be extremely costly afterward.
One of the most common mistakes is not installing enough posts. They are most often sturdy, heavy and require deep and heavy concrete foundations. That makes them expensive, and people often place fewer poles than needed. The winds will cause it to vibrate, then move just a little bit, and in time that movement radius will increase.
This will soften the ground around the poles’ foundation, and the fence will tilt. In the worst-case scenario, a stronger wind will blow it away. Increasing the number of poles makes the whole construction sturdier and more resilient.
The usual pole density is one pole every eight feet, but that depends on the type of fence, material, and terrain. (You should always consult about that with the contractor or manufacturer).
Conclusion
Your new fence is supposed to last many years, and you should do it properly. That means that you shouldn’t cut corners on important construction work. But there’s also no need to overspend if you don’t have to. Good planning will help you avoid costly mistakes.
