Home Renovations: Installing a New Fence

Installing a home fence is a smart project that offers several benefits. Fencing can add privacy, increase security, and ensure that pets and children can’t leave the property. Well-designed fencing projects often provide a 50% return on investment. Metal and stone fences can increase the return to 70% or more.

Some homeowners install their fences, but it is a labor-intensive project that takes careful planning, specific tools, and a certain amount of skill. With these issues in mind, many people hire professional fence installers. For best results, DIY installers should plan carefully, choose the best materials, ensure they have the required tools, and follow the appropriate instructions for their project.

Preparing the Home for a New Fence

Before beginning a fencing project, it’s essential to determine the amount of fencing needed, which is necessary for design purposes and figuring costs. Professionals like the team at Northland Fence provide online tools customers can use to create a layout for their proposed fences and estimate costs.

During this process, it’s essential to identify property lines, utility easements, and buried lines or pipes. Digging a post into a cable line or water pipe could create a neighborhood disaster. A mistake can mean tearing down existing work and starting over. Municipal authorities have the information needed to avoid these situations.

It is typically necessary to get permits when adding a new fence over a certain height, usually six feet. Since each region is different, homeowners need to check with the local city or county representative and get any required permits before starting work.

Choosing the Best Materials

Suppliers offer a wide range of excellent fencing materials, and homeowners can choose fencing that works best for their needs. The most popular fencing materials are wood, vinyl, steel, aluminum, wrought iron, and bamboo. According to Better Homes & Gardens, it’s wise to consider issues like maintenance when selecting materials.

For example, a classic wood picket fence is good-looking and adds a homey touch, but it takes work to keep wood beautiful. Wood fencing needs to be repainted regularly, and wood may rot or warp. Metals are more durable but can also be more expensive. Vinyl is low-maintenance, affordable, and is made in designs that mimic natural materials.

It is also possible to mix fence materials if cost is an issue. For example, adding a wood picket fence to the front yard and connecting it to a backyard chain link fence is cost effective. It can also minimize maintenance since the chain link does not need repainting.

Gathering Tools for Installation

Professional fence installers invest thousands of dollars in equipment that allows them to provide high-quality results. A homeowner needs at least the basic tools to install a sturdy fence, and fencing suppliers will advise the exact tools needed for each project. At a minimum, fence installation requires:

• Measuring equipment
• Posthole auger
• Circular saw
• Toolbox items, including a claw hammer, screwdrivers, wire cutters, pliers, and heavy-duty gloves

Getting the Installation Right

Every type of fencing has unique installation requirements, and it’s crucial to follow the correct instructions to get the best results. Fencing professionals who supply materials are happy to help, and many provide how-to guides on their websites.

The Internet is a goldmine for DIY projects, including fence installation. For example, HGTV provides a library of videos explaining how to install a range of fences. Videos give step-by-step directions that explain how to install cedar, picket, and horizontal fences as well as how to add a gate.

Installing a home fence provides many benefits, and it’s a project that homeowners can tackle themselves. While it’s a labor-intensive project, DIY installation can turn out very well with careful planning and the right tools.