Fencing in a yard is a lot more complicated than just determining the right materials and dimensions. This is especially true if you live in a planned community or suburb. If you live close to the city and you’re interested in erecting a fence, here are some steps you need to take before you get started.
1. Get a Professional Survey of Your Property
Before you do anything else, you need to get a professional survey of your property. If you’re lucky, you may already have this information on hand, especially if the surveyor laid posts or flags to signal where your property lines are. Otherwise, you’ll need to purchase another.
The reason you need a survey is to make sure that you build the fence on your property and your property alone. Even if you aren’t planning to fence your entire yard, you may still go too far by accident and end up building on someone else’s lawn.
2. Get a Permit
Not all states and communities require building permits for fences, but some do. If this is the case, be sure to call your local courthouse or building authority to get that permit before you start working. Most permits are free, but some require a small upfront charge for administrative filing purposes.
3. Investigate HOA Restrictions
Appeasing your state and city requirements aren’t the only things you need to worry about. You also need to check with your Home Owner’s Association (HOA). Some HOAs have strict guidelines on fencing materials and sizes, so make sure to find out before you make any purchases.
4. Notify Local Agencies
This is another step that varies by state and community. Some (but not all) states have organizations that monitor excavations, even those as small as erecting a fence. If you aren’t sure about your own state’s regulations, call your local courthouse or building authority.
5. Talk to Your Neighbors About Erecting a Fence
If you’ve cleared the new fence with your HOA, odds are that your neighbors won’t have an issue with it, either. You shouldn’t assume, though, especially if your fence is going up directly on a shared property line. Always check with your neighbors to make sure they know where the fence is going and won’t be angry with you for putting it there.
6. Think About Materials
Now that you’ve taken care of the legal issues, you can start thinking about the fun part: the fence itself. The first thing you need to consider is what material the fence will be. If your only concern is privacy, wood or vinyl fencing is best. If you have pets, something stronger like chain link is a better choice.
7. Determine Heights
Another thing to consider if you have pets (or children) is getting your fence to be the right height. Most fences are 4 ft. to 6 ft. tall, so you might need to make special arrangements if you need something higher. If you just want a decorative fence, choosing a shorter height will be more cost-effective.
8. Adjust for Gates
When calculating fencing amounts, don’t forget to include your gates. If you don’t want an external entry to your fence, this won’t be necessary, but, if you want to access it from anywhere beyond your own house, it will be. Make sure that the gate material matches the rest of the fencing and meets the correct dimensions.
9. Calculate Pricing
Once you’ve figured out the total amount of fencing materials and gates you’ll need, do some research online to calculate a price estimate. This will help you stay within budget when you’re ready to start building. It will also make sure that, if you hire someone to erect the fence for you, they don’t overcharge.
10. Hire a Professional
If you’re handy with a shovel and a posthole digger, this step may be unnecessary. For most people, though, you’ll need to hire a professional to install the fence for you. Make sure to use an accredited company or contractor with great customer ratings.
Everything You Need for a Fence in Largo
If you’re interested in adding a fence to your property in Largo, look no further. Gulf to Bay Fence has everything you need. With a Home Advisor rating of 5-stars, you know we have the skills and experience to meet all of your needs.
Contact us today for more information.