Homeowner’s Dilemma: How Do I Know If My Property Needs a New Fence?

Fence replacement can be a significant expense and is traditionally a low-return home improvement. You should do this project only when necessary, so timing is crucial to make every penny count. Signs You Need to Install a New Fence These red flags indicate that you should start planning a fence replacement project: •  Irreversible damage: All fence materials are subject to wear and tear, but some structural and cosmetic defects are beyond repair. Rotting wood, metal corrosion, warped vinyl sections or glaring gaps between too many aluminum posts suggest it’s time to retire your fence. •  Poor stability: Unstable posts are a security risk. Unfortunately, changes within the soil due to tree root growth, underground water movement and soil erosion linked to near excavation activity can ruin a perfectly good fence. •  Recent intrusion: A fence is a primary defense against criminals, as it blocks the view of prying eyes and complicates ingress. Falling victim to a burglar may indicate that your property needs a new fence that can more effectively discourage prowlers. •  Outdated design: A good fence complements your house exterior, whereas a bad one decreases your property’s curb appeal. A new fence installation project may be essential to update your home. •  Unreasonable maintenance: Regular touch-ups are necessary to keep your fence in good shape. However, replacing a high-maintenance structure can be a prudent financial decision that saves more cash on upkeep over the long term. •  Compliance: Changes in the local building code, zoning law and homeowners association (HOA) guidelines can render your fence out of fashion. While you may not be legally required to do anything, adhering to new standards can improve your property’s beauty, privacy and security. Factors to Consider When Replacing Your Fence This upgrade is less complicated than other home projects. Still, consider the following to avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions: •  Aesthetics: Choose a structure that aligns with your property’s architecture and matches your siding, roofing and other home exterior elements. •  Security: Look for features that make your fence more challenging to bypass to be a less desirable burglary target. •  Lifespan: Check a fence’s expected service life to gauge its value based on its cost. •  Maintenance: Determine whether a fence’s upkeep requirements are reasonable with your home maintenance budget and lifestyle in mind. •  Material: Note every fence material’s strengths and weaknesses to select the option that offers the most acceptable trade-off. •  Regulations: Familiarize yourself with the local building code, relevant zoning law and HOA rules to ensure your fence’s location and specifications comply. •  Permit: Contact your municipal government’s relevant department to pull a fence permit. •  Installation: Decide whether to do the project yourself or leave some or everything to credentialed professionals. •  Budget: Set the highest amount you want to spend to avoid going over budget, and prepare a contingency plan to prevent cost-related delays. Installing Your Fence vs. Hiring Pros Tackling a fencing project without the labor cost can minimize your expense. Although building sweat equity can increase your property’s value and, by extension, your net worth, being a do-it-yourselfer has hidden risks that can hurt your pocket. Depending on the fence material, installation may require specialized skills and tools that cost money to acquire. Failing to do the job correctly the first time costs you a fee when an inspector deems your work not up to code. Installation corrections can entail additional supplies. You’re liable for any property damage or injury that may arise while replacing your old fence, driving up your future homeowners insurance rate after filing a claim. Discarding old fencing material involves hiring a junk removal service or hauling the debris to the nearest landfill or recycling facility. Either option costs money. Alternatively, hiring an experienced, licensed fence installation company allows you to trade most of the hidden fees do-it-yourselfers deal with for a one-time labor charge. Contractors often get discounts from manufacturers, so any markup shouldn’t inflate the fence material’s price too much. While you still have to pay for the fence construction permit, a contractor can secure it on your behalf for a fee. Top Fence Replacement Contractors Countless fence installers operate in the United States, and these three stand above the rest. 1.   Illinois Fence Company — Best Overall Image: Illinois Fence Company  Illinois Fence Company is a dream residential fence contractor. It offers a full range of services, specializes in diverse materials, has deep knowledge of local regulations, extends credit and adds a personal touch to every customer interaction. Key Features Description Materials offered Wood, vinyl, aluminum and chain link Services provided Fence custom design, removal, installation permit assistance and dirt hauling Warranty Lifetime warranty on certain materials and a limited warranty on labor. Service areas 17 Chicagoland suburbs Financing 12 months at 0% interest and five years at 8.99% interest Pros: •  Has 40-plus years of combined family experience•  Maintains a straightforward fence installation process•  Provides an online fence calculator for price transparency Cons: •  Serves homeowners living within its service areas exclusively 2.   The American Fence Company — Best in Fence Design Support The American Fence Company is an experienced fabricator and installer with over 50 years in business. It also sells fence materials to do-it-yourselfers and other contractors. Key Features Description Materials offered Vinyl, wood, chain link and ornamental steel Services provided Complete fence installation, custom ornamental steel fabrication and gate automation Warranty Limited warranty on vinyl cracking, chipping and peeling Service areas Select markets in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin Financing Numerous options through Wisetack Pros: •  Understands the Midwest climate •  Has an intuitive drawing tool called Draw My Fence •  Maintains 20-plus acres of inventory worth $20 million Cons: •  Operates exclusively in its home region 2.   Superior Fence & Rail — Best in Fence Customization Superior Fence & Rail is a national franchise company with over 250 installation crews operating daily. It fabricates and rigorously tests every fence locally to withstand harsh weather conditions. Key Features Description Materials offered Aluminum, steel, wood and vinyl Services provided Design support, custom fabrication, installation Warranty Five years for aluminum in noncoastal locations and one year for coastal installations within 1 mile of saltwater Service areas 37-plus states coast to coast Financing Numerous options through 13-plus lending partners Pros: •  Has presence in all major metropolitan areas •  Sells fence materials to do-it-yourselfers •  Boasts rosy reviews and high ratings on Angi, the Better Business Bureau, Birdeye, Facebook, Google and HomeAdvisor Cons: •  Cannot guarantee consistent service between franchises Watch out for Fence Red Flags Image: Illinois Fence Company Putting off a necessary fence replacement project can jeopardize your privacy and security. Pay attention to signs of wear and consider these top-notch companies when you decide to install a new fence.