When looking for a new home, we all have our own list of criteria: carpet or no carpet, bigger kitchen with granite countertops, a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc. But, do we consider residential gates and fences?
With tons of fence styles available out there, as a new homeowner, you should be well informed about fences before buying a home. For instance, did you know that a decent aluminum fence will not only enhance the home’s appearance but also comes with a return of investment of around 65%?
According to experts, the return of investment solely depends on what type of fence you’re considering, but simply having a fence is always better than not, especially when homesteading.
That said, even if you’ve bought a new home and found that it doesn’t have the fence you always wanted, never fear. Today, you can build one easily! Between the many fencing services, it’s no surprise that the fence industry brings in tons of money every year. People really have come to realize the benefits of having a fence.
All things considered, below are some essential things you should consider before deciding on a fence.
Cost Considerations
Replacing fencing around your property with wood and metal backyard fence is one of the best gifts you can give to your home. Combining metal frames and posts with wood pickets for the fence interior provides your backyard fence with an ultra-modern look.
Aluminum or steel fence posts— combined with solid metal frame panels— strengthen your fence and make it durable while wood provides visual warmth.
Alternatively, stained wood and colored metal give your privacy fence a whole new dimension of elegance.
It’s important to note that any fence higher than 2 meters will require planning permission including trellises, except for plants growing along the top of a fence.
Some fences are less expensive than others. When you combine different types of fences, it could be even cheaper. Having the same type of fence all the way across the front-and backyards looks organized and clean. However, it will cost you a lot.
Speaking of costs, a lap fence panel fence 8x panels would cost you around $450 for material and $500 for labor. On the other hand, a close board fence panel supply & fit will cost you around $1200 for material and labor.
Here are some other important cost factors when choosing types of fences:
- Material: Wood and vinyl fences come in panels that are easier to replace compared to repairing damage to a chain-link fence. Wood and chain-link fences cost less than vinyl, while vinyl costs less than brick or stone fences.
- Length & Extent of Damage: Did you know that replacing a full panel takes less time compared to repairing a small part within a panel? It may require you to replace multiple panels, based on how far the actual damage spreads down the fence, increasing overall costs.
- Height: Usually, taller fences are more expensive as they require plenty of material. On the other hand, fences with nonstandard panel heights will require additional labor to adjust them to the correct size, further increasing costs.
Material Considerations
When you’re looking at types of fences and considering a fence replacement, we recommend you to check the materials of your current fence, especially if you’re thinking of a wood fence replacement due to rotting.
Find out the type of wood used. Keep in mind that not all types and grades of wood are built equal. If you’re planning to replace wood fences, go for western red cedar, oak, black locust, and pressure-treated southern yellow pine, as these are some of the highest quality materials for wood fences you can find. They are also low-maintenance.
Some may want to replace their fence once and never worry about it again. If that’s the case, you may want to consider a much higher grade of material like vinyl or ornamental aluminum.
Underground Utilities
Whether you’re moving the fence slightly or even when you’re following the same line as before (you might have to dig the posts in a little deeper for the new fence), we recommend you figure out whether there are any chances of hitting something like a pipe, cable or drain.
Thus, it’s always better to check up on any underground utilities in proximity to the location of the fence before choosing types of fences that might not work.
Research
In some areas, there are certain rules concerning how a fence should be built. Therefore, it’s important that you understand these rules before deciding on the fence to avoid unnecessary trouble down the road.
Consult your local neighborhood or homeowners association and municipal building code officials about any rules or codes that may apply in building a fence around your house. Some rules and codes may restrict specific types of fences, depending on looks, heights, or materials.
City or neighborhoods can also set rules dictating that the best-looking side, one without the rails and posts, should be facing the public property.
Also, it’s crucial to ask how far the fence should be from the property lines or sidewalk. Again, all this is to make sure you don’t have any trouble after the fence is up. You don’t want to be forced to remove/replace the entire fence now, do you?
We also recommend you identify whether you’ll require a permit for building the fence before choosing types of fences that they might not approve of.
Wrap Up
Because installing a fence requires special tools and is extremely labor-intensive, hiring an expert who has good references and the proper licenses can save you plenty of headaches.
Lastly, before you decide to replace a fence, here’s a final checklist you may want to follow.
- Make sure you’ve checked the deeds to identify who’s responsible for the fence
- Closed panel fences work best for maximum privacy
- Picket or palisade fences will last longer than a panel fence in windy areas
- Pine and Cedar fences look great and last longer, but require regular ongoing maintenance
- Consult your neighbors before doing any kind of fencing work to avoid disputes
If you have any thoughts or suggestions about choosing different types of fences, feel free to leave us a comment down below.
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