Fencing for a backyard that feels like your own.

Start with what the fence needs to do.

Privacy beside the patio. A defined space for the dog. A more finished edge to the yard. The purpose of a fence helps shape its height, openness, material and gate locations.

Tell Damond whether you are planning a new fence or considering changes to an existing one. Include the approximate length if you know it, along with the areas you want enclosed and the look you have in mind.

Balance privacy, appearance and upkeep.

A solid style creates a different feeling from an open picket or ornamental design. Think about the view from both sides, how the fence meets your home and deck, and the care you want to take on over time.

Bring examples of the materials and profiles you like. Damond can confirm the available options for your project before a particular material or system becomes part of the proposal.

• Privacy: which views need screening and where openness would be useful.
• Appearance: color, board or picket spacing, posts and the way the fence ends.
• Maintenance: care instructions and finish requirements for the proposed material.
• Pets: the opening size and ground clearance appropriate to your household.

Plan the gates as carefully as the fence.

Mark the routes you use every day, including the path from the driveway to the yard. Consider the opening needed for lawn equipment, deliveries and future backyard projects.

Changes in slope affect the line of the fence and the space underneath it. Gate swing, latches, nearby landscaping and access to utilities should be discussed with the layout.

Establish the boundary before the build.

Bring any survey, easement information and HOA requirements you have. An existing fence is not a substitute for confirming the property boundary. Discuss the location and applicable approvals before setting the layout.

Utility locating is another early step. Georgia 811 provides the notification process for underground utilities before digging. Tell Damond about irrigation, outdoor power, drainage or other buried features you know about so those can be addressed in the planning, too.

What belongs in the project scope?

Length, height, material, gates, slope, access and removal of an old fence all affect the work involved. Compare those details when reviewing proposals.

Confirm the fence layout, gate sizes, hardware, finish, demolition and disposal included in the price. Discuss how access, work areas and any temporarily open sections will be handled during construction.

Questions before you begin.