Key Takeaways
- Know your property lines before the fence is planned — a survey or plat map settles it.
- Underground utilities must be marked before digging; call 811 a few days ahead.
- Clear what you can move from the fence line; the crew handles the heavy work.
- Plan for pets and kids to be inside or away on installation days.
- A good installer walks the layout with you before the first post goes in.
One of the nicest things about a professionally installed fence is how little you have to do. Still, a few simple steps in the week before installation make the project smoother, faster, and free of surprises. Here's the short list we share with every customer.
1. Be sure about your property lines
The fence should go on your land — all of it. Most homeowners have a plat map from closing that shows the boundaries; corner pins are sometimes findable near the surface. If there's any real doubt, especially on older or rural properties, a survey is far cheaper than moving a fence later. Talk to your neighbor too. A two-minute conversation before the build beats a tense one after.
2. Get utilities marked — it's free
Fence posts go two feet or more into the ground, and gas, water, power, and fiber lines are often shallower than people expect. Calling 811 a few business days before any digging gets underground utilities marked at no cost, and it's required before excavation. We'll coordinate the timing with you as part of scheduling — just don't let anyone put a post in the ground until the flags are down.
3. Clear the line where you can
Walk the planned fence line and move what's movable: planters, hoses, trampolines, firewood, the stuff that accumulates along a boundary. You don't need to tackle anything heavy — clearing brush, old fencing, and overgrowth is work we can include in the project. If a favorite shrub sits right on the line, flag it and tell us; small layout adjustments are easy before posts are set.
4. Plan for pets and kids
Installation days involve open trenches, power tools, and — ironically — a yard with no fence for a stretch of hours. Plan for dogs to be indoors or elsewhere while the crew works. If the whole point of the project is a dog fence, we get it: we'll tell you exactly when the yard is secure and gate-checked so you know the moment it's safe to let them out.
5. Walk the layout before the first post
A good crew never starts digging on assumptions. Before installation begins, we walk the marked layout with you — every corner, every gate location, which way gates swing, which side faces out. Five minutes of walking prevents every version of "I thought the gate was going over there."
What you don't need to do
You don't need to dig anything, haul anything, remove the old fence (that's part of a replacement project), or babysit the crew. Point us at the plan, keep the dog inside, and go about your day. We'll find you for the final walkthrough.
Not sure which fence fits your property? The estimate is free — and so is the advice.
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