If you’re planning on installing a fence around your property, there are few things you’ll need to know about your land first. Here’s some pointers on what you need to know.
Putting a fence in your yard is a large step toward increasing your property value as well as your security. A fence will also give your house a more appealing look on the lot. You might have a specific look in mind but you need to know where to start when it comes to ordering the right fence.
Each plot of land is different, which means that the type of fence you order may differ than the nice fence you just saw your neighbor two blocks down order.
Before Measuring Your Land
The first thing you need to know about your land before ordering a fence is the size. Errors in measurements can be very costly, so it is important that they are done correctly the first time. These three items should be looked at and considered before any measurements are taken.
They will be key in providing you with a successful fence ordering experience and, ultimately, a beautiful fence fit for your land.
1. Look at Your Plat
The plat is the map of your land and will show you the proposed and actual features that are on your land. The plat will also allow you to see where your property line is.
If you do not have a plat readily available to you, then you can get one at your county courthouse. All you need to do is bring in your deed for the land to the appropriate office and the clerk can give you a copy of the plat.
2. Know Where Your Property Lines are Located
This information is important because you would not want to build your fence over your property line and onto your neighbor’s property. There are also laws about how close to the property line a fence can be built.
When determining where your property lines are, it is helpful to do this with your neighbor. This is due to the fact that if the fence sits right on the
property line then it will be jointly owned by you and your neighbor.
So, before any large changes happen, like ordering a fence, you have to discuss it with your neighbor. Your neighbor then has to give you their consent in order to build the fence, even if they are not helping you with the costs.
Talking about this with your neighbors before you order a fence will give you the green light and also will reduce the chances of lawsuits.
3. Accounting for Obstacles
Obstacles on the perimeter of your land can include a wide range of things. There may be rocks that you have to move out before measuring for the fence. Trees may need to be cut down or planned around. These obstacles can also include any utility lines and pipes that are underground. These will have to be properly marked off before any type of fence constructing can be done.
If Your Land Has Slopes or Hills
Before
ordering a fence for your yard, you will need to know if your property has slopes or hills. When building a fence on slopes or hills, the fence still has to remain level the entire way down.
The first thing you will need to do is measure of the slope percentage.
This will tell you how steep your slope or hill is. In order to measure this, you will need to run a string from the start of the fence line down to the end. Make sure that the string is at the height that the fence will be.
Next you will take the height and length measurements.
Then divide the height by the length and multiple that result by 100. This will give you the slope percentage, which will impact how much fence you will need to order.
A second thing that you have to consider when
building on a slope is that you will need to make sure you are ordering fence panels that can accommodate your slope.
There are some fence panels that can be
racked, meaning they will be able to follow the slope gradually, while there are others that will need to be “stair-stepped”. As the name suggests, “stepping” a fence means that each individual panel will be level, but each consecutive panel will be installed slightly higher or lower than the last to accommodate the grade.
Consider
speaking with a fencing expert to determine which is a better fit for your property.
Summary
Before you can even place the order for a fence, there are many things that you have to consider. Although it may seem like a lot to do, the more information you have the better the building process will go.
When it comes to ordering the correct fence, you want to make sure that you know all you need to know about the land it will go on. This will reduce the margin of error and leave your land with a properly and beautifully built fence.
