Howdy! If you are planning to build a fence on your property, you will want to make sure you make the right choice. A good fence will last for many years and will help to protect your property from intruders and wild animals. It will also help to keep pets and kids inside the garden where they belong! I'm Tony and this is my fence blog. Last year, I spend a couple of months working alongside a fence contractor as he installed a wooden fence on my property. I learnt a lot of neat stuff which I would like to share with the rest of the world.
Building a fence is a task that you should handle with a lot of care. However, mistakes happen, especially when you are doing it yourself. These mistakes can compromise the ability of the fence to serve you as a protective barrier. They also shorten its life and give you additional repair costs. Here are three of the most common fencing mistakes people make when they do it alone and ways to avoid them.
Erecting the Fence on Your Neighbour's Property
Most homeowners generally believe that they understand the boundaries of their property. However, the visual property line that you have been using could be on your neighbour's property. Encroaching is a mistake that happens often and creates legal tension between you and your neighbours. You might even have to bring down the entire fence, which will be an expensive loss. The best way to establish your actual boundaries is by conducting a property survey. Speak to a land surveyor before bringing the fence contractor, and ensure that you plan to build on your legal property line.
Digging Too Shallow
The fence posts need to be rooted deep enough in the ground to withstand the entire fence's weight and external forces. The general rule is that you should bury at least one-third of the length of the post into the ground. It ensures that your fence can endure storms and icy weather conditions. If you dig too shallow, the weight of the snow will bring your posts down in the winter, and you will have to erect it again. Also, you have to keep the fence level all around the property. Some people find this challenging, especially when the property has an uneven gradient. However, a competent fence contractor will know how deep to dig on every side of your property for the best results.
Buying Substandard Tools and Accessories
Fencing is a job that needs both the right tools and expertise. You might have simple tools to help you dig the holes and mix the cement for the posts. However, you might not have levelling tools and other highly specialised equipment to ensure the fence stays level. Fence contractors know all the items and tools that help achieve excellence in construction, and they always use them.
The best way to handle your fencing project is to get a professional contractor for it. They help you in assessing your terrain, buying the right tools and installing the fence. Get in touch with a local fencing contractor to get started.