3 Top Considerations Before You Build a Fence

A good, high-quality fence can bring a lot of value to your property. It can improve the look of your home as well as provide added security, privacy, and resale value. When compared to other home improvement projects, a fence provides considerable bang for your buck.

Before you start digging post holes in your yard, there are some factors you’ll need to think about if you want to have the best possible fence for your property and your needs. A well-built, well-maintained fence can be a great addition to your home. However, with the sheer number of options out there, it’s important to spend some time thinking about what kind of a fence you want before you get started.

Start with these top considerations before you build a fence:

1. Narrow Down the Purpose

Prior to doing anything else, you’ll need to determine exactly why you want to build a fence on your property. A fence can be purely decorative, or it can serve other purposes. In fact, a fence is one of the easiest ways to add privacy to your backyard. Figuring out what you want your fence to do for you and your home is extremely important when determining the materials you’ll be using and the dimensions of your new fence.

A chain-link fence is one of the best fences for dog owners and is suitable for keeping pets and children from running out into the street, but it won’t provide you with much in the way of privacy. A stone fence will dramatically improve the curb appeal and resale value of your home. However, the cost of materials may prevent you from building it high enough to keep your dog in your yard or block noise from your neighborhood.

2. Consider the Cost of Maintenance

Another important consideration is how much your new fence will cost you to maintain it. Wooden fences will require periodic staining and sealing to protect them from the elements. If maintenance isn’t something you want to deal with, you may prefer vinyl panels because they require very little maintenance.

3. Check Local Laws and Regulations

After you decide on the materials and dimensions of your fence, the next important step you need to take is to find out whether there are any local laws regarding your fence. This includes investigating where your property’s utility lines are and consulting with your neighbors to ensure your new fence won’t become a point of contention.

There’s a lot to contemplate when building a fence on your property. Taking the time to think about those details beforehand can save you a lot of trouble. The following checklist details many of the most important aspects to consider when building a fence, so make sure you do all of the necessary planning before you get started.

Author Bio: Chris Buenz is the owner of First Fence Company in Chicago, IL. With over 18 years of experience in both fencing and sales, Buenz is well versed in the Chicago-area business market.