While looking at your yard, you notice that your fence has seen better days, and it's definitely time for a replacement. When you're replacing or installing a fence, you have a lot of choices to make. You need to choose the material, whether wood, vinyl, or aluminum, and decide to install the fence yourself or hire a professional fence installation company to do the work.
While the DIY approach might seem like the best move for your budget, there are plenty of reasons not to do the work on your own. Hiring professional fence installers can give you peace of mind and help save your back (and sanity). It might cost more, but you do get more bang for your buck when you work with the pros.
Take a look at a few reasons to skip DIY.
1. You Need the Right Approvals and Permits
Depending on where you live, there might be some red tape to sort through before you install a new fence or replace an existing one. If you live in a community with a homeowners association (HOA), you might have to get HOA approval before the project begins. While every HOA is different, yours might require you to work with a professional company when installing a fence.
You may also need specific permits, depending on your location and your local government's rules. A professional fence company will ensure that all the permits are in place before the project gets underway.
Then there's the issue of property lines. If you're installing a fence for the first time, you must ensure it's placed correctly. The same is true when replacing a fence; it could be that the original wasn't on your property line. A professional fence company will review your site plans and confirm your property lines before work begins.
2. You Want a Warranty
In a perfect world, your fence will look beautiful and function well from the minute it's installed. Reality might look a little different, though. A bad storm could knock the fence over, or poor workmanship can cause it to fail prematurely. If you install the fence on your own, you're the one who has to make repairs when something goes wrong.
But if you hire a professional installer, you can choose a warranty that protects fence materials and workmanship. If something happens to the fence after installation, whether due to a storm or poor construction, you can call the installer and ask them to come out to fix it. The peace of mind you get knowing that your fence is protected is well worth the extra cost.
3. You Want To Work With an Experienced Team
Installing or replacing a fence looks easy — from a distance. How hard can it be to dig a few holes and attach a few posts, you might ask yourself? Once you get down to doing the work, you're likely to discover that building a fence is a lot of hard work. That's especially true if you want the job done well. When you hire a fence installation team, you benefit from their experience and know-how.
They'll help you choose the right fence for your yard and give you pointers and tips based on the layout of your yard. If there's anything underground, such as pipes, that would interfere with the project, they'll let you know and discuss your options.
4. You Want a Fence That Will Last
A properly installed and maintained fence can last for several decades. While maintenance is up to you as the homeowner, proper installation doesn't have to be. You can give your fence a head start and ensure it lasts by hiring a team that knows what they're doing and how to install a fence for maximum longevity.
5. A DIY Backyard Fence Is a Lot of Work
Fence installation is harder than it looks. It requires digging holes for the posts and ensuring those holes are at the appropriate depth. Depending on your soil type, digging a hole can be pretty strenuous. Once you've dug the holes, you need to fill them with cement to provide the posts with proper support. Improperly placed posts can cause a fence to fail early, ultimately increasing the cost of your fence project.
Most yards aren't entirely level, so you also need to understand grading and sloping to install a fence properly. If that all sounds like too much, your best bet is to go with the pros, not DIY.
If you're ready to replace or install a fence in the Greater Indianapolis area, HOA Fence Company can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the benefits of going pro when installing a fence.
