Adding a Picket Fence

The trusted and traditional picket fence. It's become almost a cliche when talking about fencing options for your home. But there's a reason a picket fence may be a valuable addition. Many people want the advantages of having a fence on their property without installing a large, thick, and obscuring privacy fence.

Picket fences can be for more than just show. While it's true that they are charming and ornamental, giving you a nice aesthetic wood fence around the home, they can also be functional.

The picket fence allows you to be able to look through it and allows for others to see your home and landscaping. But it can also keep children and larger pets within your boundaries. They may be able to climb under or over, but not without some difficulty. It could be the difference you need in case you have to take your eyes off them. The fence could act as enough of a barrier to prevent people from trespassing, cutting through your yard, or allowing their pets to use your yard as a toilet.

Of course, if you're worried about needing to constantly paint your fence, you can always have a vinyl picket fence installed to cut down on any maintenance requirements. If you would like to explore your options to put in a picket fence, you'll need to consider these factors:

• Board Width: how wide will all of the boards on your new fence be?
  
• Board Height: consider how high your fence will be (and consider that there may be zoning laws that affect fence heights in your neighborhood)
  
• Fence Color: white is the old standby, but you can choose from a variety of colors and stains
• Protection: spend a little extra for treated lumber to avoid problems of wear and tear from the weather
• Spacing: you should even plan out how far apart the boards on your new fence will be placed for the best look

We have a large network of fencing companies at ConstructionDeal.com so when you're ready to add a cozy picket fence to your home, stop by and find an installer for free. It'll save you time because you'll have companies call you instead of you calling them. And it will save you money because you'll have more than one fencing company bidding on the job and you can choose the best price.

Fencing Contractor Insurance

Does your fencing contractor have insurance? It's an important question because many companies and homeowners will hire a fence company to come out and install a fence on their property without the necessary liability coverage.

Most homeowners and businesses falsely believe their insurance will cover the costs if a worker is injured during the project. In all likelihood, if the fencing contractor doesn't carry the liability insurance, you will be responsible. Many states do not require insurance but it can still be a good sign of a quality fencing company if the contractor has the coverage which will protect you.

Ask for with every fence builder who bids on your job.

It's also important to have several fence companies to choose from - post your project with ConstructionDeal.com and we'll send you multiple offers to complete your fence project. It's a free process - you give us your request and sit back and wait for fence contractor to contact you! Just make sure they're following the license, insurance, and bond requirements for your state.

Building Codes: Check Before Installing a New Fence

Some helpful information from About.com: "Building codes and local zoning ordinances may restrict your fence installation, both in terms of height and design.

No one is unequivocally happy about restrictions, but some of the restrictions in this case are sensible. For instance, fencing on a corner lot should not be so high as to obscure drivers’ views at the intersection of the two roads your property abuts -- this would create a safety hazard. Here are some matters to check on prior to fence installation:

• In some locales, you will need to obtain a building permit prior to the fence installation.
• Have a surveyor determine precisely where your property boundary lies, unless you're already positive about this.
• Alternatively, just make sure the fence lies well within the confines of your own property, rather than near the border.
• Contact your local utility companies to help you determine the location of underground gas, water and power lines. The service is usually free. Whereas if you damage a power line while making a fence hole, repairing that damage most certainly will not be free!"

If you're not sure about your local building codes, or you need to obtain permits and get some surveying work done - consider ConstructionDeal.com.

We've got a network of experienced fence builders and designers who know your local area and can help complete your project. It's a fast, free, and easy way to find a fencing company!

Installing a Concrete Fence

Looking for a low maintenance fence that can be fabricated to have any look you want? You might consider a concrete fence. A concrete fence might be an great option for a homeowner or business owner that wants a strong, durable, and maintenance-free fence.

A concrete fence can be built on location or can be made in sections off-site and shipped to the home or business for installation. Because a concrete fence can be built to suit whatever your needs are, you have lots of options. The fence can be 8 to 10 feet high, with any thickness desired, and can be colored and textured.

You can have a variety of edges on the fence - curved, slightly rounded, or straight edged. The fence can be painted and can also be made to look like it was made out of brick, wood, or tile materials. For extra sturdiness, the fence could have a zig-zag pattern. Not that a straight concrete fence is not sturdy, but the zig-zag pattern can be nearly indestructible (if you need that sort of protection.)

The concrete fence might cost more than a chain link or wood fence to install, but if it is properly installed could last far longer. And that could save you money, in the long run. It's also important to plan ahead for your future needs with the fence. Unlike a wood or chain link fence, a concrete fence can be created with electrical lines built in. You could run electrical lines to support lights/lamps along the wall or to add electric gates or security cameras. It's a good idea to talk with the fencing contractor about what your options are and what to plan for.

It would also be a good idea to talk to the contractor about graffiti removal. A solid color or solid surface concrete wall could be an attractive target for vandalism. It's important to plan ahead for any problems down the road to make it easier to remove it.

If you need to find a fencing company to do any type of fence installation project, consider ConstructionDeal.com. You can post your project for free and receive as many bids as you would like - this could save you time and money from having to track down a fencing company on your own. And multiple bids means you'll keep your costs in check.