Should you install your fence or leave it to the professionals?

 

Here at Danielle Fence & Outdoor Living we know the ins and outs of how to source the best materials, provide top quality service and install a fence that will last a lifetime. But we also know that not everyone is as experienced. If you are considering purchasing one of our “do it yourself” fence kits, then read on to find out if YOU should install your fence or leave it to the professionals!

What are DIY Fence Kits?

First of all, lets cover what our DIY fence kits are. Each fence kit comes with everything you will need to complete your new fence. This includes the top and bottom rails, pickets, gates, hardware and any necessary screws and fasteners for your project. After you pick up all of your materials from us, you are ready to start breaking ground and installing your fence.

You can find some examples of our DIY kits here: https://www.daniellefence.com/diy/

What is the planning process?

Before considering installing one of our DIY kits yourself, lets first figuring out all the necessary steps leading up to installation day.

A full list of the necessary planning documents can be found on our website.

The Layout

The first thing you need to think about during the planning process is the layout of your fence. Where do you want your fence to start and stop? Where will the gate be located? How big will the fence be? Usually our team will do the leg work to plan out your fence but with a DIY kit, these are all things that need to be considered before you decide to install the fence yourself.

HOAs, NOC’s, and Permits

We all know about the notorious home owners association, and that any outdoor project could come to an abrupt halt no matter how far along you are. So, don’t make the mistake of ignoring your neighborhood rules. Save yourself many headaches and contact your HOA.

The same rules apply to submitting an NOC or notice of commencement. The notice of commencement is a form used to notify a city or county of a construction project that is getting ready to begin. If submitting an NOC applies to you, then make sure you submit the necessary paperwork before you start your fence.

Lastly, we all know about permits and just like HOA’s and NOC’s, make sure you complete these preliminary steps prior to the install.

 

Property Pins

After the initial planning period is done, its time to find the property pins. The property pins can be found either above or below ground and are used to make sure that your new fence is not built on your neighbor’s property.

Utility locates

Now, depending on the property some utilities are located underground. You can visit www.sunshine811.com to schedule your utility locate at no cost.

Clearing the area

This step is when things start to get interesting! It is time to clear the area and prepare your property for a new fence. This includes trimming any trees and bushes that impede into the fence line, as well as removing an existing fence, tree roots, or concrete.

Picking up your product

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the tedious part of the process. You were approved by the city and HOA, locked down the necessary permits, cleared all the obstacles and now it is time to drive down to Danielle Fence and pick-up your materials. For this we recommend bringing a truck and trailer depending on how big the job is and the amount of material needed. Just note, that once your materials order has been processed, it usually takes about 3 to 5 days for everything to be ready for pick-up.

Time to put it in the ground

Now if you’ve made it to this point of the article, then we know that you’re serious about installing your fence. But even though you have the drive and passion to undergo this sometimes-challenging task, there are still some helpful tips that can smooth the process and give you the outcome that you want. This is the point when your decision to install your own fence and not leave it to the professionals could pay off!

Below we have listed these tips:

• Measure twice and install once!

  Before you get too far into the installation and have already dug multiple holes, make sure that each hole is mapped out before-hand and they are spaced evenly.

• Level looks better…

  Make sure your post, bottom and top rails are level! This is a crucial piece of the puzzle if you want a fence that looks great! When you insert a post into the hole and fill up with dirt and concrete, check that the post is plum. Slight changes in the angle of the post will be seen once the fence is complete. We all know how it goes…When you see it once, you never stop seeing it.

• Cleaner cuts!

  There will come a time during the install when you will have to cut your pickets down to size (vertically) in order to fit the last one between the post.
  When this time comes, make sure you are using the right tools to achieve cleaner cuts and prevent headaches as you attempt to cover the gaps later.

• Ask for help!

  The professional doesn’t send a crew to the jobsite for nothing. It always makes things easier to have someone assist you on this project.

• Have fun!

  After all, you are building this fence on your own. You are adding the gate, placing the posts, and adding the hardware. This all comes with a huge feeling of accomplishment when you see what your own hands were able to achieve. So, don’t get to frustrated when problems arise, just keeping pushing and gives us a call if you need to!

Now that you have all of the knowledge you need to make an informed decision, what do you think? Should you install your fence or leave it to the professionals? The answers to this question depends on how much effort you are willing to put into the initial planning portion of the process and how experienced you are with working on projects of this caliber.

To get started on this process for yourself or have our experienced team take the weight off your shoulders and install your new fence, give us a call at (863) 425-3182 to request a quote.