There are a number of actions that you will want to take into consideration if you plan on installing a fence yourself. We realize that everyone’s DIY experience is different so we have put together a list of actions to take to help you on your pending project. This list is by no means complete, every project will have its own unique needs, but these are the most common items that our customers have dealt with. We hope that this list will help you to prepare for your installation and make the process as easy as possible.
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You will need to clear away any obstructions from the area where you plan to install your fence. Common obstructions include bushes, tree roots, existing fence, and concrete. Cutting back bushes and trees isn’t always the solution. Removing any roots and root balls will be the best. This will prevent the plant from regrowing into your new fence.
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We sell full panels and do not cut them to size. If you need a section that is smaller than our panels then you will need to cut them yourself or find someone who can do that for you. We recommend using a fine tooth saw to cut your panels.
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A Homeowners Association is a group that makes sure homes in their community follow the rules for their neighborhoods, including the kind of fence that can be installed (i.e. style, color, and height). If you live in an HOA community then you will need to get approval from them before you can install your fence. Typical HOAs require a fee, property survey, layout, and an application submitted to them to review and (hopefully) approve.
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A Notice of Commencement is a form used to notify a city or county of a construction project that is getting ready to begin. If your project has a value greater than $2,500 then you may have to submit a notice of commencement to the municipality that you reside in.
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You might be surprised to learn that building permits are not exclusive to buildings. Even a fence, in some cases, needs to be permitted and approved by your local municipality, regardless of size The requirements of a permit vary considerably, depending on where you live and the size of your project, as well as its type of material, height, and overall location. In some areas, a fence of any height will require a permit. A permit often needs additional documentation, which can include a property survey, sketches, project plans, and photos of your property. You can contact your local municipality to find out if you need a permit for your DIY fence installation.
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Do you have an above ground or unscreened pool? If you answered yes to either of these then your fence needs to meet pool code. Pool code involves a number of different factors, including fence height, the direction a gate swings open, the type of self closing latch used on a gate, the distance from the bottom of your fence to the ground, and the spacing of pickets. We recommend that you research ‘Florida Pool Codes’ if you have an above ground or unscreened pool to make sure that you meet the pool code requirements.
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Property pins sometimes referred to as land survey pins, are markers that show the boundaries of your property. Pins can be found above ground or underground, but they are important to locate so that you do not install your fence on your neighbor’s land.
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Some utilities are underground so you will need to have your utilities located and marked before you start your installation. You can visit www.sunshine811.com to schedule this, at no cost to you. Locates are good for 30 days after they have been completed and marked.
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Are you on a corner lot? If so, you may be subject to zoning requirements. You will need to check with your local municipality on what regulations may be in place.
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Is your yard flat? Does it have a slope or incline? We ask this because this information helps us to ensure that your fence and gate will fit correctly. When you have any amount of sloping or incline, we need to know so that we can customize your gates to fit perfectly and have no gaps in your fence. You can show us any of these slopes or inclines in your photos so that we can design your gates properly.
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Once your order is processed, it takes between 3-5 days for your order to be considered ready for pickup (this isn’t always the case with special orders). When it is available, your sales representative will contact you and let you know. When you arrive, we ask that you park in our designated DIY pickup loading zone. We ask that you bring either a truck or a trailer to pick up, depending on the number of materials that you ordered. We will help get your order loaded for you, but we do ask that you bring your own tie down straps as we do not provide these for you.
Your items will be wrapped for your convenience.