Why Planning and Budgeting Are Necessary When Building a Fence

The majority of individuals, however, will picture the end appearance of the fence when complete. Maybe it’s a tall wooden fence to discourage prying eyes from looking over, or a modern metal fence to add value to the property. Others might simply be looking for a simple chain-link fence for security and convenience. But for any of those to occur, one big thing has to happen. That is proper planning. Right after that is another requirement: cost estimating.

The majority of individuals, however, will picture the end appearance of the fence when complete. Maybe it’s a tall wooden fence to discourage prying eyes from looking over, or a modern metal fence to add value to the property. Others might simply be looking for a simple chain-link fence for security and convenience. But for any of those to occur, one big thing has to happen. That is proper planning. Right after that is another requirement: cost estimating.

It can be dull or too technical, but the fact of the matter is that planning and having some sense of how much your fence will set you back can save you a lot of trouble. A well-built wall will last for decades, serve its purpose, and even appreciate the value of a parcel of land. A poorly planned fence, on the other hand, is a waste of time and money and also may cause legal problems. That’s why builders, property owners, and homeowners should never downplay the significance of planning.

Let us walk through why planning and budgeting are so essential in building fences.

Planning Enables You to Get a Clear View of What You Actually Need

Before breaking ground and buying materials, planning makes you ask questions and give the right answers.

• Why do you need a fence?
• What are you looking to keep out or separate?
• Do you desire more privacy?
• Are you trying to protect children or animals?
• Are you marking property boundaries?

They are simple questions, but they decide the whole building and structure of your fence. If you are keeping pets, you will need a wall that is deep in the ground so that the pets cannot dig under it. If you want privacy, then you will need a tall fence with no gaps.

Planning also helps you select the optimum material for your region. A wood fence, for example, is pleasing to the eye, but can’t hold up in a very humid climate. Vinyl fences are lasting, but more costly upfront. Metal fences are strong but will rust unless they are treated properly. By making the wrong choice ahead of time, through early planning, you can do so.

Local Rules and Property Lines

One other reason that planning is necessary is so you can be sure you are complying with local ordinances. Most neighborhoods and towns will have zoning regulations and community regulations that will inform you how high a fence you can get, where you can place it, and even what materials you can use to make it.

Not checking will lead to a penalty or a request to take it down. That is a waste of all the money and time you used in erecting it. There are some communities or homeowner associations with rules on the color of fences, material, or type. A simple check during planning will place you on the correct side.

It’s also a smart move to verify property lines. One common mistake people make is constructing a fence a few inches onto their neighbor’s land inadvertently. This results in conflicts and even lawsuits. A smart approach is to obtain a copy of your property survey or have someone verify your lines before construction.

Budgeting the Right Way

Planning and budgeting are companions. Once you have determined what kind of fence you want and where you want to install it, you need to figure out how much it is going to cost. Budgeting ahead of time means that you are the master of your project and won’t be blindsided by surprise unpleasantness in the future.

When people skip this all-important step, they are broken halfway through the project. Or they simply cut corners on materials to save money. Worse, they may hire the lowest bidder and end up with substandard work.

A proper cost estimate should not just account for the cost of materials. It should also account for:

• Labor costs
• Permits
• Equipment rental
• Delivery charge
• Trash removal
• Unforeseen repairs or replacements

Without knowing the entire cost, it’s incredibly easy to lowball. That can lead to delays, anxiety, or even having to redo it.

Saving Money by Planning Ahead

Believe it or not, taking the time to plan and estimate will reward you in the end. You might think it’s faster to simply “go with the flow” and figure it out as you go. But it usually results in wasted materials, more trips to the hardware store, and mistakes that are more costly to fix.

If you’re planning ahead, you can even buy at discounts, bulk buying and discounted deals. You can take the time to shop around, hold out for a special deal, or buy recycled material if that would be appropriate for your project. All these little tricks can be done so you can manage on budget without sacrificing quality.

Time Management and Scheduling

A well-planned fence project also stays on schedule. You’ll know when to order materials, when to book workers, and how long each step should take. This helps avoid delays that come from waiting on deliveries or missing key tools.

In case it rains during the middle of your project. If you anticipated it, you would have already accounted for a bit of extra time for inclement weather. If you don’t have a schedule, even a small delay like that can throw everything else off.

Time equals money on any construction project. The more organized your timeline is, the smoother your fence installation will go. This is important as well if your fence is a component of an overall project, like new house construction or backyard renovation.

Quality of Work

Planning and budgeting are also huge considerations in the quality of the finished product. If you know what you are going to receive, you can hire the right crew to do the job. You can have trained installers, not the cheapest ones you can afford.

Responsible installers will be mindful of your budget and design. They will work to the design, put in the materials you chose, and achieve your timeline. That reduces the odds of problems when doing the job or afterward. A strong, attractive fence is what results from good planning up front.

Safety Matters

Don’t forget safety. An ill-built fence may prove dangerous to children, your pets, or even neighbors. It may be knocked over, sharpened to the extent that it cuts, or cannot sustain wind or storms.

Planning ensures the fence becomes safe, is placed in the correct orientation, and is built to endure. Costing out earlier allows you to invest in the appropriate materials, tools, and hardware to make it safely.

You don’t want to find out later that you needed to use bigger posts or some other form of concrete. Planning saves you those costly lessons.

Peace of Mind

All is less stressful when you have your fence project planned and you know how much you are spending. You don’t need to be reckless with decisions or face unplanned expenses. You also feel more at ease negotiating with contractors since you know what is required.

Planning causes you to unwind because you’re in control of the project. And that feeling of being at ease is worth as much as the fence itself.

How a Professional Can Help

Even with all of this information, it can still be a task to estimate and budget for fences. This is where the professional comes in. At Marhama Group LLC, we always say call in the professionals who have the skills to plan and budget. With professionals on your team who know how to plan and budget, you do not have to stress over little mistakes that turn out to be huge headaches later on.

Among these helpful services you can avail yourself of is a fencing estimator service. It will give you a fairly good estimate of how much your fencing project would cost, depending on location, material, and size. That way, you will be better equipped to plan, stay within budget, and circumvent wasteful expenses or delays.

Final Thoughts

Fence construction may seem like a simple task, but it needs to be thoroughly planned. From choosing the perfect kind of fence to adherence to local building codes and preparing a budget, everything counts. Skipping planning or budgeting can mean expensive and stressful mistakes to correct.

Regardless of whether you are fencing your residential backyard, a business property, or a large estate, proper planning is what will make it possible. And cost estimating gets you on the right path so that your project is finished on schedule and within your budget.

We prefer doing it right the first time at Marhama Group LLC. That starts with a solid plan and a correct estimate. If you are going to be installing a fence, spend a few minutes now planning. You will thank you later when you have a wall that not only looks good but functions well and lasts for years.