DIY is a great thing. You can usually save a few bucks and learn a new skill! But there are a few projects that should be done yourself very carefully. Your fence can make a huge difference when it comes to the value of your property. If you’re looking to sell your home, this will make a world of difference when it comes to the curb appeal of your home. That’s why when it comes to putting in a fence, you want to make absolutely sure it’s done correctly. Don’t miss out on opportunity or an easy increase in home value with these common DIY fence installation mistakes.
Not Checking Zoning Laws or Property Lines
Before you even begin planning what kind of fence you’ll have and how you will install it, you need to do a little bit of homework. First, you need to check with your city or county to make sure there are no zoning laws you should know about when it comes to your property and installing a fence. There may be boundary requirements or height limits, for example. You’ll also be able to find out if your fence should be on the property line, or how far inside the property line it needs to be. If you have an HOA, you need to check those requirements as well.
While you’re at it, you need to make sure you know your property lines. If you don’t, you can hire a surveyor to come mark your property. It’s a small price to pay to make sure your fence is installed in the right place. A simple mistake of installing your fence a few inches one way or the other can lead to some serious litigation.
Not Planning
Once you have the OK from your city and neighbors (if necessary) you can begin planning. This is another place where it’s easy to make mistakes. To install your fence correctly you need to take the time to make correct measurement, buy the proper material, and make sure everything is prepped and ready to go before you begin installation.
One part of planning is to make sure you know where to put your post holes and any custom cuts in your fence that would throw off your pattern.
It’s also important to know the grade of your yard and plan accordingly! If you don’t adjust the panels of your fence for an incline or decline, you’ll end up with an unsightly fence that could have large gaps!
Bad Posts
Another way to common mistake to make when you’re installing your own fence is improperly installing your posts. The longevity of your fence has a lot to do with how well your posts are installed. They need to be deep enough so that they stay anchored, with a layer of gravel or concrete to help. You also need to make sure the posts properly set before you even in stall your fence rails.
DIY projects are great, but if you DIY a fence make sure you avoid common installation mistakes. If you’d rather avoid the risk, hire a professional like those with Outback Fencing to install your fence for you!