Picking the Right Fence for Your Newly Remodeled Home

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The final step in home remodels involves picking the right fence for your yard. Adding a fence can improve security, increase property value and help to accentuate newly remodeled architectural features. The addition of a fence can also enhance the functionality of your yard.

Step 1: Develop a Plan of Action

The first step in purchasing a fence for your remodeled home involves defining your specific needs as a homeowner. Before you decide to contact a fencing specialist, identify functional concerns related to your home and yard. How might a fence improve the utility of your home? Try to answer the following questions before making any purchasing decisions:

  • What fence height will satisfy your needs?
  • Would you like the fence to span the entire perimeter or a smaller subsection of your yard?
  • Where should gates be placed for access?
  • Do you have animals? How might this consideration factor in fence design?

Answering these questions will prepare you to begin discussing potential construction options with contractors. Beginning from a well-researched position can help builders better meet your needs.

Step 2: Set Your Budget

Fencing options can vary substantially in terms of material and labor cost. As a general rule of thumb you should expect to pay more for higher quality building materials (cedar, wrought iron) as well as more complicated fence design patterns.

Ultimately, your budget will dictate fencing options. You may find you need to make tough decisions regarding gates and other features that contribute to overall cost.

In some cases, neighbors may be willing to pay part of the fencing cost, particularly if fencing options contribute value to their homes. Approaching neighbors early in the construction process has the additional benefit of resolving potential property disputes, a common issue that many homeowners face.

Step 3: Matching Your Fence to Your Remodel

Picking a fence for your house involves carefully assessing how the design of the fence will compliment and otherwise enhance the architectural features of your newly remodeled home. Several important questions must be addressed as you prepare to contact a construction company:

  • What fencing material best compliments the exterior of your home?
  • Where does your house sit relevant to the proposed fence location? Will fencing be secured to the home?
  • How might fencing be designed to prevent against blocked sight lines from windows or other vantage points?

Although fencing is often a secondary consideration, well designed fences can bring out the features of your home. An experienced fencing specialist will be able to help you develop specific solutions to meet your needs. Where, for instance, will you need to work around potential obstacles such as gutters and steeped roofs? How can fences be built to work with existing landscaping? Alternatively, where will trees, plants and other landscaping elements need to be relocated?

As you prepare for the construction process, research options and estimates thoroughly. If you select wood fencing, for instance, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with fencing styles like shadowboxing.

Step 4: Specific Concerns When Meeting with a Contractor

Contractors will provide mock ups of potential fence designs, review functional concerns, and attend to local fencing ordinances. In many municipalities, ordinances dictate limits for the proposed height of fences.

It is also important that you consider the impacts of local weather conditions on fence design. Will your fence need additional support against wind? What materials work best to preserve against inclement weather? Local contractors are uniquely suited to address these concerns because of their familiarity with regional weather patterns.