Fencing mistakes can derail your progress and cause endless frustration, not to mention lost time and wasted money.
Before you start fencing your property, make sure you don’t unwittingly commit one of these common errors.
1. Assuming You Know Where Your Property Boundary Is
Even if you and your neighbor come to a verbal agreement on where the property line stands, nothing is certain without the official plans to back it up. If you build a fence on your neighbor’s property and they eventually sell their home, you may be forced to take it down. Don’t assume you know where the property boundary is — double check!
2. Skipping Over the Details in the Planning Stage
Planning is pertinent to many projects, but it’s especially important when building a fence. If you are purchasing 8-foot fencing sections but you will have an extra 3 feet to fence at the end of one side of your property, you need to make sure your fencing sections are custom cut to fit your needs. Accounting for these details is key to fencing success.
3. Not Checking Local Zoning Laws
This is one of the costliest fencing mistakes you can make — not OK’ing your choice of fencing material with your local zoning office or HOA. If you don’t get a permit before building or if you build a fence out of a prohibited material, you will have to tear it down and you might be subject to fines.
4. Forgetting to Call the Utility Company
Before you start digging a hole to place a fence post, you must call the local utility company. You could unknowingly strike a pipe and cause major destruction. This would derail your fencing project, and it could cost you thousands in repairs.
5. Not Securing Fence Posts Correctly
Your fencing project needs two types of posts — anchor posts and line posts. Both must be securely embedded in the ground, but it’s especially vital that anchor posts are firmly installed. After all, your fence is only as strong as the posts that hold it up.
6. Placing Gates in the Wrong Spot
When you’re considering where to put a fence gate, think about the natural flow of foot traffic. If your gate is in an unnatural spot, you’re just making it awkward and inconvenient to use — it’s a decision you’ll regret later. Think carefully about where a gate should be placed for maximum efficiency.
Utah Fence Warehouse provides high-quality, affordable fencing materials for any project. We can also help with installation, so you avoid these common fencing mistakes and end up with the beautiful finished product you envision — one that is functionally and structurally sound (and perfectly legal). Visit our showroom to view our products and call today with any fencing questions. We are here to help.
