Texas State Fence Co. BLOG

McKinney fence company owner, Sean Eubanks with Texas State Fence Co., offers guidance on preparation, design and layout when building your own fence.

Preparation

The first thing you must do is check with local authorities to make sure that you know what the building codes and home owner association policies are.  Be sure to contact local utility companies and find out where underground utilities are buried. The last thing you want to do is start digging and run into a utility line. It is also good advice to consult with your neighbors and make sure that you are not overlooking a concern that would impact your design or layout decisions.

Design and Layout

1. Determine the number of posts, panels, and gates that you will need for your fence. If you have a survey from when you purchased your home that is a good starting point but it best if you verify the measurements along your actually fence line to make sure that you have an accurate measurement. Be sure to measure 6 inches inside of your property line to prevent encroaching on your neighbors property.
2. Take into consideration the width of the posts, panels and gates that you will be using. If you are purchasing from a local fencing supply or lumber supply house check with them for exact measurements on the fence panel that you are purchasing.
3. Adjust the layout to accommodate as many full panels as possible. If you have to trim a panel try to place it in the furthest corner of the yard or behind a natural visual barrier such as a tree or tall shrub. Some panels can be easily trimmed but others can not be trimmed without significantly altering the design of the fence.
4. Stake out your property boundaries and be sure to place the fence post centers at least 6 inches inside of the property line. By the time you add the post, and the fence panel you will want to still be entirely on your own property.
5. Stretch a line made of heavy twine or string between the stakes and pull it very tight to mark the layout of the fence line.
6. It is important to measure the fence panels and gate prior to digging the post holes. Place your Post Holes in the following order along the fence line:
     a. End/corner posts, then
     b. Gate posts, then
     c. Line posts.

Other Articles in the Series:

1. 1st Article: Allen Fence Company provides instructions for D-I-Y fence builders

In the next article we will discuss Installing Fences on slopes, digging postholes, setting posts, and other pertinent issues.

McKinney fence company owner Sean Eubanks started his company, Texas State Fence Co., to provide quality outdoor fencing and landscape hard structures to clients in North Texas. Texas State Fence Co. provides all types of fencing along with automatic sliding gates, swing gates, security fencing, outdoor kitchens and enclosures, patio covers, arbors, and gazebos. Sean also provides maintenance and repair of fences that have been damaged by weather and wind.  For more information please contact Sean Eubanks at 972-898-1307 for visit his website.