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Basics of Fence Installation

 

Tips for Hiring a Local Fence Company

While a lot of property owners like their aluminum fence installation Soddy-Daisy TN as a Do-It-Yourself project, other homeowners prefer to have their walls built by reputable contractors. What happens when people have fence company bloomingdale ga install their fences for them?

Estimator visit

Fencing firms usually divide their field staff into two: the builders and estimators. Estimators measure around the intended enclosure with long-measuring devices like wheel-type measuring equipment or measuring tapes. Estimators will confirm certain aspects like materials, easements, property lines, and style of fences or encasements with property owners. The job of these professionals is to estimate and move on to the next job. However, a lot of estimators have experience working on-site and have an excellent working knowledge of this type of job.

A simple tip: 

If you need something done and cannot meet with estimators, some firms will use unsupervised estimators onto the property. Because of liability issues, some firms will not allow their workers to go inside the client’s property. And it is also a question of whether clients want to allow contractors onto their properties unsupervised. 

Get fencing permits

Some places need property owners to get fencing permits before installing their barriers, whether they do it themselves or hire contractors. If so, homeowners should apply for these permits as soon as possible so that the permitting process does not slow down the contractors.

Before the installation

While these professionals will usually arrive as soon as possible, builders will take a lot longer. The usual wait time is at least two weeks, but this will still depend on the client’s area, the company, the season, as well as other important factors. If timing is crucial to you, ask if the firm is experiencing backlogs from other jobs earlier in the interview process. Ask if they have all the necessary materials on hand, as well as if you need to expect any seasonal slowdowns because of the weather.

To know more about permits and approvals, check out https://www.thespruce.com/permits-for-fences-1822353 to find out more.

Fortville Fencing Company | Fencing Installation | Richmond Exteriors

Make sure to mark utility lines

Early in the installation process, the company needs to call the local utility marking services to visit the client’s property. These services are usually free. They will mark the yard so that fencing firms can avoid any utility lines when they start digging.

Posthole digging

Before fences are installed, contractors will call clients to arrange a date to dig the post-holes. A crew will dig these post holes. For projects in soft soil, workers may use a handheld or manual post-hole digger. For more significant projects, workers will use auger-style diggers. This machine can dig down below frost lines if there are any. Keeping the bottoms of these posts below frost lines helps prevent posts, as well as fences from heaving upward in below-freezing situations.

Set brackets in concrete

Either the post holes are dug sooner or later, galvanized brackets need to be set in homes and straightened until they are completely vertical or upright. Concrete can be an excellent material to use and can be mixed up wet and poured into these holes. Dry concrete can also be poured in these holes, as well as around the brackets, with water added after.

A simple tip:

Setting posts into concrete can help accelerate the dry-rot process. It is why it is best to use galvanized steel, which will help elevate posts above the soil. Make sure to confirm with the contractor what kind of construction method they plan to use before starting the job to make sure you are satisfied with their process. 

Quick-setting concrete will usually harden within one hour. Because of scheduling, contractors may let brackets set for at least one day before installing the posts. At this point, don’t be alarmed if the posts look too high. Usually, they start high and are cut down to the desired size later.

Build encasement

Once posts and brackets are firmly in place, the contractor will install the horizontal pieces called stringers, gates, vertical fencing materials, and everything that comprise the enclosure. If the client chooses to build horizontal fences, these stringers are not used. Instead, post-holes are spaced much closer (usually six feet apart instead of eight feet). 

It allows horizontal boards to be run from fence post to fence post. Another option for vertical fences is to use panels or pre-built sections, complete with boards and stringers. These panels fit perfectly between posts, usually attaching them with metal brackets.