Common Fence Installation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Most fence problems are not built in the last hour of the job. They are decided in the first week, before anyone picks up a shovel. Here are the seven mistakes we see most often around Lexington, Columbia, Irmo and Chapin, and what to do about each one.

1. Guessing at the property line

A fence that sits on the wrong side of the line is the most expensive mistake on this list. It can start a dispute with a neighbor, and it can mean pulling the fence out and building it again.

Know where your line is before the layout. Your deed, your plat and a survey are the places to look. If the markers are gone or the line is unclear, have a surveyor mark it. We wrote a whole post on building on or near a property line if you want the details.

2. Skipping the local rules

Height, style and placement rules can differ from one town, county or neighborhood to the next. Corner lots and pool yards tend to raise the most questions. An HOA may have its own say on style and color.

Check before you buy anything. Your town or county office and your HOA can tell you what applies to your address. The homeowner pulls any permit the town requires, so ask early and tell us what you learn. We will plan the schedule around it.

3. Picking the material by looks alone

A fence is something you live with every day, so the material should fit the job as well as the yard. Wood gives you privacy and a classic look, and it asks for more upkeep over the years. Vinyl keeps its finish with very little care. Aluminum is open, so it does not block a view and it does not rust. Chain link is the practical choice for big yards and pet runs, though it gives little privacy.

Start with what the fence needs to do. Privacy, pets, a pool, a view you want to keep, or a line to mark. Then pick the material that does that job and fits the upkeep you are willing to take on. If you are not sure, we will tell you what we would build in your yard and why.

4. Setting posts the quick way

Posts hold everything up. A fence with shallow or poorly set posts leans, sags and eventually fails, even when the panels are good. Posts need to go in deep enough for the height of the fence and the soil in your yard, and they need to be set solid in concrete.

You cannot see a post hole once the fence is up, so this is a place where the crew you hire matters. Ask how they set posts and watch for crews that rush it.

5. Not planning the gates

A gate that is too narrow turns into a daily annoyance. Think about what has to go through it. A mower, a trailer, a wheelbarrow, a truck or farm equipment all need real room. Think about where you walk, too. A gate near the back door gets used far more than a gate in the far corner.

Also plan the swing. A gate that opens into a flower bed or onto sloping ground can drag or hit things. Tell us everything that needs to get through, and where, and we will size and place the gates for it. Our custom gates page shows what is possible.

6. Buying on the lowest number

A low quote can leave something out. The crew may use lighter material, skip steps or leave a mess. When you compare bids, compare what is in them: the material, the post spec, the gate hardware, who does the work and what warranty comes with it. A proposal that spells these out lets you compare like with like.

7. Trying to do it all yourself

Digging, setting, aligning and hanging gates takes the right tools and a good eye. A fence that is a little off at the first post is a lot off at the last one. Some homeowners are glad they did it themselves, and some wish they had called a crew. If you are thinking about it, be honest about the tools, the time and the cleanup.

A short checklist before you sign

Know your line. Know your rules. Know what the fence has to do. Ask how the posts are set. Plan the gates. Compare what is in each proposal. That covers most of it.

When you are ready, send us the form or call or text 803-609-9760. We will walk the yard with you and answer every question.