Time and again, it’s been said that a beautiful fence gives your home character and adds to the curb appeal of your property. Before you can build one, you need to determine the right materials and proper amount of supplies to get.
If you intend to do the project DIY, you’ll perform everything, including measuring your yard. On the other hand, you can opt to hire a fence company in Westchester, NY, to get the job done on your behalf. Before enlisting professional help, you might want to make preliminary calculations to help you set a more accurate budget and prevent instances wherein you have to run back to the store mid-construction.
In this blog, we’ll show you the steps on how to measure your yard and other helpful steps to determine the number of fences you’ll need:
Understand your Local Zoning Codes and Restrictions
Certain cities implement fencing restrictions, depending on where you live. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with the codes that must be followed. Consider this a significant part of the fence installation process since some of the said restrictions may limit the placement and fence style options you can choose from. Also, note that these regulations may apply to both backyard and front yard fencing. The best thing to do in this case is to obtain the approval of your homeowner’s association for the specifications you have in mind.
Verify Your Property Lines
To have a precise measurement of your yard’s perimeter and the length of your fence, you must first verify your property boundaries. This step is an essential part of fence etiquette, and if neglected, may upset your neighbors. As a responsible member of your community, you must ensure that the area you want to enclose with a fence is, in fact, your property. You can refer to a relevant plat map to see how your property is laid out. Otherwise, you may need to consult a land surveyor or your county’s records office.
Pinpoint Utility Lines and Potential Obstructions
After verifying the location of your property lines, the next thing you need to do is search the area for utility lines and all possible obstructions. If there are trees or other objects along the perimeter that you can’t or won’t move, you need to adjust your plan and build around them.
In addition, slopes and contours in the terrain may also affect your fence measurement, requiring you to consider alternative strategies for building a fence on a slope. Utilities such as gas, cable, electric lines, and other less noticeable obstructions that run under your yard should also be considered before you can proceed with your fence project.
Choose a Fence Style
You may already have a general idea of the fencing style you want at the onset of the project —- from shorter picket fences to taller dog-ear board fencing or even an elegant horizontal fence. Keep in mind that each will require a different quantity of materials depending on your desired length and height.
If you’re working with a fence company, you may provide them with images for reference. Their team will be able to recommend the most durable and visually appealing fence solutions for your budget. If you’re unsure where to begin looking for a design, drop by your local fence yard to look at the displays and acquire ideas.
Mark and Measure Your Yard
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the local zoning codes and restrictions, confirmed property lines, pinpointed obstructions, and picked your preferred fence style, you’re now ready to start marking and measuring your yard.
Some of the steps and guidelines to remember are as follows:
- Determine the measurement of your yard’s perimeter in feet. Divide the result by the size of the fence panels you plan to purchase. Performing this step gives you an idea of how many panels you’ll require. Most pre-cut fence panels are 6 or 8 feet long.
- Stake each corner of your yard to mark the location of your corner posts. A corner is any point where two fence panels meet at a 90° angle.
- Mark your line posts starting at the corner posts. These line posts should be spaced at intervals equal to the length of your panels—typically every 6 or 8 feet. End panels may need to be cut if there’s a section of your yard that’s not divisible by the length of your panels.
- Finally, make sure to mark the end posts. End posts are needed wherever the fence ends, whether at your house, a tree, or an entrance or exit point.
After taking measurements of your yard, you now have a better idea about the budget you need for the project. Once you get into the essentials of building, you’ll want to mark the location of each corner and line post. You’ll also connect the stakes with a string. More detailed measurements are needed if you have slopes and curves in the yard to consider.
Key Takeaways
Whatever your reason for putting up a fence, whether it’s for functionality or aesthetics, it takes careful planning and preparation to ensure a successful installation.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to figure out and do things by yourself. You can always hire professionals to ensure the accuracy of your fence measurements.
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