Fence me in: build a picket fence Bizpals

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Fence Me In: Building a Picket Fence

Is there any more attractive kind of fencing than a picket fence surrounding your home? Dating back to colonial times, the picket fence is a classic American design that forms an effective boundary to your property without obscuring your house and it adds great curb appeal as well. The picket fence is versatile enough to suit many styles of house and sets off landscaping and flowers beautifully. If you've always thought about building a picket fence, let this be the year that you put your dream into practice. It's a somewhat complicated project, but definitely within the scope of an experienced DIY-er. Or you may prefer to hire a reliable fencing contractor to help you to fence in your property.

Fencing Paperwork

Before you begin designing your fencing project, you should check whether you need a permit. According to the California Building Code, you don't need a permit for a fence under six feet high. But you should always check with your municipality to see if they have amended the building code in any way. You should also contact your local Planning office to determine the proper setbacks. Setbacks are the minimum distance that a building or other structure (such as a fence) can be put in relation to a property line or another structure. Setbacks can vary depending on your local zoning, and they will affect your design process, so find out what they are. And before digging begins, you need to identify the location of gas, electrical, phone, and water lines. You don't want to find yourself without water because you dug a post hole in the wrong place and broke a pipe. To have your underground utility lines marked, call 811; it's a free service that could save you a world of trouble.

Fence Design

The basic design of the picket fence is a simple one. A horizontal bottom and top rail are attached to fence posts dug into the ground. Panels are attached to the rails, the pointed tops of the panels being what gives the picket its name. Traditionally, a picket fence was made of wood and painted white, but these days a vinyl fence is also an option. Vinyl fences are easier to maintain than wood, which needs to be painted regularly and may warp or rot. On the other hand, vinyl tends to be more expensive than wood and is not as environmentally friendly. If you decide to work with a contractor, the contractor will be able to give you advice on the various fencing options.

Working with a Contractor

If you decide to work with a fencing contractor on your project, the contractor should be able to advise you on whether your design will work well for your property, and also on whether you have complied with local setbacks. If possible, get more than a single estimate for your project; ideally, get at least three estimates from different contractors. Once you've decided on a fencing contractor, make sure to have a written agreement in place before the job begins. The contract should cover issues such as the exact scope of the project, the materials to be used, warranties, the start date and completion date of the project, etc.

Installing the Fence

The process of installing the fence begins with marking where the posts will be placed. If you're digging the post holes yourself, it can be hard work, so you may want to consider renting an auger. Once the holes have been dug, pour in fast-setting concrete, install the posts and use a plumb level to make sure your posts are level. The next step is to install the fence panels attaching them to the posts. If your picket fence is going to have a gate, you’ll need to install gate posts, attach the hinges, hang the gate and lastly, install a latch. During the process of the installation, keep pets indoors; it will be less stressful for the pets and prevent them from running into the street.

If you've decided to build a fence on your property, use our Services directory to find top fencing contractors to get the job done. And use our system of reviews to evaluate the work of your contractor. Use BizPals to help you get that picket fence you’ve been dreaming of!
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