YOUR LINK TO THE LOCAL EXPERTS
The Saturday Life section connects you to practical know-how from local people who know.
Sure, we love to be neighborly. However, if your backyard is your private oasis or an extension of your indoor space, it’s not too relaxing to be constantly on display. The wooden privacy fence is one of the most popular and eye-catching options to screen a backyard and is available in a wide range of price points.
Investigate first
As with any major home improvement project, research is paramount, even before you start calling contractors. Fencing is an area prone to scams, so it’s always best practice to do a search online and investigate potential contractors using resources such as the Better Business Bureau.
“My general recommendation is to do your research. The more knowledge you have, the better,” said Tim Bell of BellBrook Fence Company in Kettering. “The more information you have, the more likely you are to get a better price and a better product.”
According to the American Fence Association, when you do begin calling contractors, consumers should always “insist upon product samples, written contracts, certificates of insurance, references and an AFA contractor.”
Bell also cautioned consumers to investigate the contractor’s headquarters. Although there are many reputable home-based businesses, he said that freestanding, larger companies can generally “get more material that is higher in quality” due to shipping and storage concerns.
Pricing factors
A wide variety of factors go into pricing a privacy fence. Of course, the size of your yard and the quality of the materials are key components. Other factors in the yard, such as steep slopes or inclines, can present challenges that may add up.
Think carefully about why you’re putting up your fence and how long you’ll use it. “We ask how long they’re going to be there,” Bell said. “Will they move soon?” If you’re looking for quick curb appeal, a lower cost fence that lasts for a few years might be the way to go. If you’re planning to stay for 20 years, consider making more of an investment.
Of the many types of wood suitable for fencing, the one most popular in our region, according to the AFA, is “Southern yellow pine … this strong, durable wood is also economical.”
Other considerations
If you have a flat, square yard or are looking to save on labor costs, a stockade fence may be for you. Stockade fencing is the term used for prefabricated panels of fence. However, another method offers a higher level of control.
“Stick building is very customizable,” Bell said. When a fence is “stick built,” it is assembled entirely onsite, not preassembled in panels. If your terrain is irregularly shaped or hilly, this is probably the best option for you.
Before you choose the design, it’s important to gather information about city or township ordinances or homeowners’ association rules. “Start with all of those and make sure the design can be approved,” Bell cautioned. You should also consider tracking down the exact boundaries of your property or having a survey done to find them.
Having property line and permitting information ready to give to a contractor will save their time and your money.
Adding extras
If you’re building a fence, chances are you’ll also need a gate or pergola to allow access into your yard. The considerations with are the same as with the rest of the fence: quality of materials and durability.
“We expect a lot from wood,” Bell said. “Especially out in the weather — hot summers, cold winters, humidity, rain — the better everything is built, the longer it will last.”
Many styles of gates and pergolas – and fences, too – are available in alternate materials like PVC that may hold up better in extreme weather. However, Bell said, “Keep anything that will destroy the finish away. They take abuse with lawn mowers and weed whackers.” He recommended mulching around PVC elements to protect them.
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