Borders and Boundaries: How to Fence off Your Property in-Detail
A fence can be a great way to keep pets or children in your yard or to keep pests out. It can also dress up your yard and add to the overall value of your landscaping. However, some people have experienced problems with their fences either through unhappy neighbors or through poor planning. Here are some tips to ensure that you will be happy with your fence and that your neighbors will be happy with you.
Get Your Yard Surveyed
Your first step should always be to locate a recent survey of your yard or to have your yard re-surveyed. This will show you exactly where your yard begins and ends and will ensure that you stay out of your neighbor’s yard. Never guess with the limits of your yard because you could end up in legal trouble.
Check into Local Fence Laws
Next, you should learn if your municipality has any specific fence laws. These could include specifications about how high, how thick or how long your fence can be. If you live in a homeowner’s association, you may even have to get approval for the design of your fence to ensure that it meshes well with the rest of the yards in the community.
Speak to Your Neighbors
While this step is not a necessity, it can help to keep your neighbors happy with you. Politely let your neighbors know that you are putting up a fence within your yard. However, you should know that even if they are not happy with it, there is nothing they can do as long as you are following local and HOA laws and are building within your boundaries.
Choose the Right Fence Materials and Design
Your fence materials and design will depend on personal preference as well as on climate and your ability to maintain the fence. Some companies, such as City Wide Fence Co., know that wood fences with concrete anchors are most popular in areas that see very cold winters, while vinyl is more popular in warmer climates. You will also want to consider how thick or private your fence is. For example, a cedar wood fence can be used for complete privacy.
Create Openings
A fence is unhelpful and can be downright dangerous if it does not allow you to get through it. Every fenced-in area should have at least one large opening. Ideally, the fence should have two openings, and at least one should be wide enough to allow large equipment, such as a riding lawn mower, through it.
By starting with the right information and doing your homework before you begin to build, you can ensure that your fencing project goes smoothly. Once your yard is fenced in, you can enjoy privacy and beauty from the comfort of your backyard. Plus, you can keep your neighbors on your side throughout the event.