There are multiple reasons that you might decide to install a fence and you’ll have a myriad of styles, colors and materials from which to choose. The first step before contacting a fencing specialist is to identify why you want a fence.

Safety and Security

A fence provides safety for children and pets, protecting them from incursions by human trespassers and a wide variety of unwanted wildlife. Fencing is effective for concealing valuables encompassing lawn care equipment, ATVs, PWCs and motorcycles from burglars.

Privacy

Homes are being constructed even closer together than in the past, inhibiting the ability to enjoy time with family and friends. A fence provides a private space for you to enjoy good times away from the prying eyes of neighbors and passersby.

Set Boundaries

Fencing is a great way to establish property boundaries, but it’s always best to consult with your neighbor first. Depending on local laws, they may be responsible for part of the upkeep costs – an expense for which they might object.

Ornamentation and Curb Appeal

If you’re planning on selling your home, a fence can add significant curb appeal and ornamentation all in a single package. Fences are an attractive attribute for buyers and viewed as a money-saving bonus.

Hiding Eyesores

Everyone partakes of modern conveniences, but those services often come with equipment that’s unappealing to the eye. A fence can hide or camouflage eyesores that include satellite dishes, HVAC units, emergency generators, and electrical boxes. They’re also effective for concealing electrical vehicle charging stations and trash bins.

Complying with HOAs

HOAs can dictate many things and a common rule is keeping “clutter” such as children’s toys and outdoor furniture out of sight. A fence alleviates that concern, but always consult with the HOA to ensure the fence you want conforms to the organization’s guidelines.

Swimming Pools

Pools and spas must be surrounded with an appropriate fence and gate to prevent access by children. Before installing a pool or spa, consult with a fencing specialist to determine what meets safety standards and your aesthetic preferences.

It doesn’t matter whether a fence is being installed for privacy, safety, child or pet containment, or aesthetic reasons, it’s essential that the installation be performed by an experienced company that’s fully licensed, bonded and insured. Locating that company can be difficult and the following are some tips for finding an experienced fencing company.

Research

Anyone looking for a fencing professional will need to perform their due diligence. Some red flags to look for include a company that’s recently changed its name and a poor rating with the Better Business Bureau. Make sure that the company has a physical business address.

Recommendations

Ask family, friends and co-workers that have had a fence installed about the company that did the work. Find out if they were happy with the results. Many companies will place a sign on the fence indicating the name of the business that performed the installation. Alternately, individuals may also consider asking the property owner of a recently erected fence about the company and their experience with the installer.

Quotes

Get quotes from at least three fencing companies. The quotes should include the cost, an itemized list of what the company will do, a timeline for completion, the size of the crew required, and when the work will begin.

Services

A professional fencing company will be aware of the ordinances and regulations governing the installation of a fence. Many locales have specific rules regarding the type, color, materials and height of fences. The company will also be able to pull the necessary permits and contact underground utility lines. Each fencing job is different and the company should send a representative to walk the property to be fenced so an accurate estimate can be provided.

Contracts and Warranties

Don’t engage a fencing company without a contract. It should spell out in detail the scope of the project and the terms of payment. Some companies require a down payment or offers payment plans, while others may require half down and the remainder upon completion. Make sure the company provides a warranty on its work, materials, and how disputes are addressed.

A multitude of fence design options are available and choosing just one can be difficult. The first step is deciding the purpose for which the fence is being erected. With the wide range of materials available, it’s possible to combine form and function into stunning fencing that serves it’s intended purpose and enhances property value.

Depending on the usage, individuals can fence all or a portion of their property. Homeowners can choose from wood, aluminum, chain link, PVC and SimTek® materials. Fencing is offered in multiple colors and varying heights to accommodate multiple requirements. Individuals can also select fencing that emulates the appearance of wood and stone.

Kids Safety

Children are naturally curious. A solid fence is an ideal way to keep them safely contained within a specific area and secure from prying eyes. Chain link is an effective barrier, but doesn’t provide a decorative element or prevent others from seeing in.

Noise Buffer

A solid fence is an effective noise barrier to reduce the sound of traffic and that of nearby neighbors. An added advantage is that it reduces the amount of sound emitted to neighbors and passersby. Some materials are more effective than others.

Pets

The most often used fencing for dog containment is chain link and it can be equipped with an underground cable for dogs that dig. Solid fencing is particularly beneficial for canines that are overly excited by outside stimuli. Chain link can be fitted with a special tarp to block the dog’s view, but lacks aesthetic value.

Privacy

A solid fence prevents others from seeing in and can be highly decorative. It’s equally effective for entire properties or just to enclose a family area.

Security

Chain link is great for security, but isn’t very decorative. Aluminum provides security and an aesthetically appealing appearance. Solid fencing materials can be an equally effective barrier and prevent intruders from finding handholds with which to climb over.

Wind Barrier

SimTek® is an excellent wind barrier that can withstand sustained hurricane force winds up to 110 mph. It’s durable, environmentally-friendly, isn’t damaged by salt water or UV rays, and is almost maintenance free.

Installing a fence around your home or business may seem like a productive way to spend the weekend, but it’s no walk in the park. There are multiple factors that will determine exactly how the fence will be erected, from the type of soil that’s in the yard to any sloping of the land – and then there are permits. It’s wise to engage a professional fencing company for a myriad of reasons.

The Right Fence

There are so many different types of fences and materials from which to choose, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. A professional fencing company will take the time to consult with potential customers and help them ascertain which fence is right for their particular needs, whether it’s safety, security, privacy or some other purpose.

Legal Issues

Every municipality has its own rules and regulations about the height and appearance of fencing. Those guidelines can be even more stringent for individuals that are part of a homeowner’s association. Failure to comply with prevailing standards can result in legal issues and orders to alter or remove the fence completely.

Permits are part of those rules and regulations. A professional fence installer will know the permits that need to be obtained before work can begin and be able to pull them quickly and efficiently. In many instances, professionals are also cognizant of the standards in the area where the fence will be erected.

Save Time and Money

Proper installation of fencing requires more than a shovel or a posthole digger. Equipment can be rented, but it can be extremely expensive and the average individual may not be able to operate it effectively. Professional installers have all the equipment needed and are experienced in its usage.

Value and Aesthetics

A properly installed fence increases property values, looks great, and increases curb appeal. The work will be completed quickly and to all specifications. Quality products are used and the installation is performed correctly the first time.

For decades, the standard in fencing has primarily consisted of vertical pickets and uprights. It’s a tried-and-true design popularized by the white picket fence model depicted in films and TV. Fencing design professionals originally introduced the horizontal fence in the 1950s and 1960s.

After a substantial run of popularity, fencing again returned to the vertical model. Today, individuals are seeking ways to express a greater sense of style in their fencing. The result is that those that want something new and trendy have reimagined horizontal fencing in multiple ways.

Aside from the unique appearance of a horizontal fence, they’re also quicker to install and they’re often less expensive since less material is needed to achieve the same effect as a vertical fence. They typically buffer more street noise than vertical fencing and a horizontal fence tricks the eye into perceiving a larger area than there actually is, which is handy for anyone trying to sell their home.

There are no hard and fast rules for today’s horizontal design. Individuals can incorporate different types of materials in their fencing. People are combining alternating colors and planks of varying widths for visual interest. No one ever said fence planks have be perfectly aligned and many are opting for planks that are staggered and uneven.

There’s also no rule that says fencing has to be constructed of the same type of wood. Fashionable homeowners across the nation are designing fencing that utilizes planks of different wood types. Pine, cedar and redwood are the most popular material combinations.

Once widely used for furniture, bamboo is quickly becoming a preferred fencing material as it weathers well in outdoor environments. An additional benefit is that bamboo is a renewable and eco-friendly resource.

If none of those options are appealing, there’s also louvred models – an entirely new direction for fencing. The louvres can be adjusted – just like louvred windows – to allow for specific levels of privacy.

Individuals have so many options to think about and consider when they decide to install a fence – and soil type typically isn’t one of them. The truth is that the type of soil will have a definite impact on the installation process of any fence. It’s just one of the many reasons that professional fence installers typically like to perform an on-site examination of the area to be fenced.

Florida has many different types of soil and they can vary significantly over relatively small areas. Professional fencers typically set fence posts in concrete, but it’s important for individuals to understand the soils involved and how it will impact the cost and time it will take to erect the fence.

Clay

Soil comprised of clay is often likened to concrete when its dry. Clay soils are dense, difficult to work with, but tend to hold fence posts solidly in place. It may need to be moistened to make it malleable to digging. The problem with clay is that it tends to shrink when it dries out and that can affect the appearance of the fence.

Sand

A soil with a high concentration of sand is far from ideal for installing a fence. The only real solution for erecting a fence in sandy soil is to embed fence posts in concrete.

Rock and Gravel

A certain amount of rocks and gravel in the soil can aid in providing stability to a fence. However, it’s a soil type that adds an extra level of difficulty when digging fence post holes, even for powered post hole diggers.

Silt

This soil type is very easy to work with for installation. However, it can cause substantial problems when it becomes saturated after heavy rains. Silt can take on a more fluid consistency that doesn’t bode well for fence stability.

Peat

Individuals that have peaty soil or reside near areas that tend to be wet or damp may experience a lot of difficulty when installing a fence. The soil provides little support and even concrete footings for fence posts may not be sufficient.

There are many reasons why you might want to erect a fence on your property and the reason you want a fence will have a significant impact on the type of fencing that’s selected. It’s a good idea to consult with a fencing professional before making any decisions.

There’s an array of new fencing options of which you may not be aware that are beautiful and effective alternatives to traditional materials. What you want to accomplish with the fence will also be important. The following are the top five reasons that you may want to consider adding a fence to your landscape.

Boundaries

Fencing is an excellent way to establish boundaries and prevent trespassing. Accidental trespassing is quite common. Fences are also effective in deterring incursions by neighbors that don’t respect property lines.

Curb Appeal

Whether you’re planning on selling your home or living in it for many years, you may want to erect a fence for the beautification factor. In those instances, the aesthetics of the materials and design are of paramount importance to frame the property and display it to its best advantage. Fences are also great for concealing unattractive elements on the property ranging from generators and air conditioning units to trash cans and utility boxes.

Safety

A fence is an excellent safety measure if you have children or pets, providing them with a safe space to play. It keeps them from accidentally wandering into outdoor dangers such as pools, ponds, cliffs, and dangerous embankments.

Security

Whether it’s teens using your yard as a shortcut or an individual intent on burglary or other mayhem, a fence provides a security barrier. Fences also keep dangerous wildlife or domestic animals from wandering into the yard.

Privacy

The distance between homes is decreasing and privacy is at a premium. A fence prevents neighbors and passersby from peering into your yard or eavesdropping on conversations. Fencing frees families and enables them to be themselves while outdoors.

Installing a fence is more difficult than most people anticipate. Many begin a fence installation as a DIY project, only to discover that it’s turned into a multi-weekend project that feels overwhelming. The importance of hiring a fence professional can’t be overstated for speed, accuracy, and quality.

Expertise and Experience

A fencing professional will have performed numerous installations under a variety of conditions and in multiple types of landscapes. A professional will ensure that the fence is straight, level, and doesn’t encroach on the neighbor’s property line.

Tools

It requires more than a shovel or a posthole digger to erect a fence. There are specialized tools involved that a professional fence contractor uses regularly and with which they’re familiar that will ensure the job progresses faster.

Rules and Regulations

Each municipality has its own guidelines with which fences must comply and state mandates may also come into play. A fence professional will be cognizant of all the prevailing laws and will be able to obtain the obligatory permits required.

The Right Fence

A professional will be able to help clients choose the best fence for their needs. They’ll be able to introduce individuals to the different types of materials available that will achieve the intended goals and that will also provide an appealing aesthetic.

Quality

Hiring a fence professional will ensure that clients receive high-quality workmanship and quality fencing. As professionals, they’ll be licensed, certified, and if any problems arise they will make the needed changes or alterations at no additional charge.

Cost Savings

Last but not least is the savings that hiring a professional provides. They already have access to the needed tools, saving clients the cost of renting them or buying items that will only be used once. Their expertise and experience will prevent problems and costly mistakes. It also means clients will avoid the potential for expensive legal issues.

Zepco Fence, Inc. has been providing quality fence installations since 1981. Our goal is simply to provide our customers with the best quality materials and installations at the best prices possible. When you choose to do business with Zepco Fence, Inc., Jerry and Sherry will create a design tailored specifically for you. In addition, we can work within any budget.

The most important part of any job we do is the installation. We never use sub-contractors. Our fence crews have been with us for two generations and they are the best in the business.

From the very start of your job, we will find your property pins to be sure that your fence is installed in the right place the first time. We make sure that all posts are dug deep with plenty of concrete and we build all of our fences to surpass South Florida hurricane codes so that they will withstand the worst that nature can throw your way. It was not uncommon after Hurricane Wilma to see fences still standing with our orange Zepco Fence, Inc. signs still on them! Don’t shortchange yourself with cheap materials and shoddy installation. Don’t let your investment blow away with the next storm!

When you call Zepco Fence, Inc. you will meet with Jerry and Sherry. They will fit your needs with the right fence at the right price. Then our staff will take over. We will make sure that all utility easement and permit paperwork is properly filed and that your permit is secured. After installation, we call inspections to ensure a stress-free experience. From start to finish, we will be on the job to make you, our customer look good.

Let us add you to our list of satisfied and repeat customers.