Before you buy a fence, you have to make sure that you have measured the area to install the fence accurately. This is because it is the backbone of the whole project. If you make a mistake in measurement, then the entire project might fail.
A measurement mistake might not be easy to fix. As a matter of fact, repairing it might also require a lot of money. Hence, it is necessary to get it right at the first time.
How to measure your yard for a fence?
Here are some tips which will help you to measure the fence in the right manner.
Check You Plat
A plat is actually a plan or map of a land area showing the proposed or the actual features. In case you do not have a plat already, you should get one as soon as you can. This will enable you to confirm the property line. This way you will not build a fence on somebody else’s property.
As a matter of fact, you can review the plat taking the help of a neighbor. Make sure that you are on the same page before you start digging. Keep in mind that a mistake at this stage might be pretty dangerous. In case you build on the neighbor’s property accidentally, you might be confronted with a lawsuit. Hence, you should not risk it.
Research on the Restrictions and the Local Zoning Codes
At times, the cities and the neighborhood have strict guidelines when it comes to fencing. Thus, you need to make sure that you have reviewed these codes properly as it might limit the replacement of your fence.
Even though these usually occur with the fences that are installed in the front yards, it might also be applicable to the backyard fences. Check the different regulations before you start digging. This way you can be sure that you will not have to rebuild or remove your fence in future.
Account for Obstructions and Slopes
You have to consider if there are any permanent obstructions along the property perimeter. If yes then you will have to work around these while taking the measurements. This will include the pipes and the utility lines that have to be marked prior to the measurement of the fence.
Moreover, many fences have contours and slopes which will have an impact on the measurement of the fence and also its installation.
For deciding the slope percentage, you need to run a string from the starting of the fence line till its end. Thereafter, measure the height and the length. Then you have to divide the height by the length and also multiply the result with 100.
Measure Carefully
Before you start measuring, you need to mark the corner post simply by placing the stake at the meeting point of the
fence panel feet at a right angle. Thereafter, measure the perimeter of the area that you plan on enclosing making use of the stakes.
Keep in mind that the tape measure has to be stretched in the right manner. This way you can be sure that the slack is not going to affect the measurement. Divide the perimeter of the area into fence length panels that you will be using.
Thus, you can figure you the total number of panels that you will be using. At this period, you might also place stakes on the end posts and the line posts.
For doing this, you will have to start at a corner, measure the length of the panel, and ultimately place the stake.
Keep in mind that precision is the key. When you are done measuring, you need to measure again to double-check. You have to take this process seriously. Do not assume that the original measurement is correct.
