Building a fence might seem easy, but there are actually a lot of things that you have to consider before you go and break ground. Here are a few things you need to do before you go about building a barrier around your home.
Have your land checked out by a land surveyor
Contact a professional licensed land surveyor before doing anything. You want to make sure that you are building the fence on your side of the line dividing your property from your neighbors’. The last thing you want to do is encroach on other people’s property and create a problem with your neighbors.
Another reason why you should contact a land surveyor is that they will also be able to coordinate with utility companies to check for gas, water, and power lines. Although these utility lines are usually buried deep underground, it’s best to have the land surveyor check with the utility companies so they can tell you how deep you can dig when you are building your fence.
Getting a professional to survey your property may cost you a few hundred dollars, but their fees will be pennies compared to potential legal fees should you end up hitting any utility lines.
Get an expert to build the fence
In order to save money, some homeowners might think about going the DIY route and building their fence themselves. Unless it’s a white picket fence, there’s a lot more that goes into constructing a fence than meets the eye. To help you avoid problems in the future that may arise due to poor construction, it might be in your best interest to hire a fence contractor. They have more experience in building fences than you do, so leave it to the professionals.
Know your rules and regulations
Most people don’t know this, but fences are actually regulated by the government as well. Different counties and cities have different rules regarding what you can and cannot do when building a fence. To add to that, your homeowners’ association may also have a few things to say regarding the fence you are planning to build, such as what your fence will be made out of or how it will look. Additionally, you may have to look at getting a permit for building a fence, so do your research and avoid getting fined for not knowing the law.
Speak to your neighbors about your plans
When building a fence, you’re not just creating a more secure home, you’re actually also affecting your neighbors. Before you go ahead and break ground, let your neighbors know about your plans. Your relationship with your neighbors will definitely be affected depending on the height or the materials you use to make your fence. Failing to communicate beforehand with your neighbors could also lead to serious consequences; you may even have to settle your problems in court.
Keeping these things in mind should allow you to get a fence for your house without any hassle and without any regrets and problems in the future.
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