People add fences to their properties for a number of reasons, whether for privacy or to keep pets and children safe and contained. Having a fence installed is a great idea, but there are several things that need to be done before the project can start. Remember to do the following things before having a new fence installed on your property:

Know Your Property Lines

The very last thing you want to do is build a fence without knowing exactly where your property lines are. Doing so is just asking for a problem. In the event that you have a fence built that encroaches on your neighbor's property, it will have to come down at your expense. Contact a local government agency to get a copy of your lot plat that shows property lines. If for some reason a lot plat is not on file, you will need to hire a land surveyor to create one.

Don't Surprise Your Neighbors

While you're legally able to have a fence built on your property without permission from your neighbors, it is still a good idea to let them know about your plans. This can prevent unhappy surprises, and it is also a goodwill gesture to let them know what days and time the fence construction will be taking place. There is no reason to let a new fence cause bad feelings or problems with your neighbors.

Choose Your Contractor Carefully

If you want to protect yourself financially and also ensure that the job is done right, make sure you hire a licensed fence contractor. A licensed contractor will be bonded and insured, so if he or she is hurt on your property, you will no be held responsible. In addition, if you have any disagreements with your fencing contractor or if you are not happy with the final product, you can contact your state's registrar of contractors for assistance in reaching a resolution.

Contact Utility Companies

No digging for a fence installation should begin before you have spoken to the local utility companies in your area. Electric, gas, telephone, and internet lines are often buried under residential property, and if you don't know where they are their is the risk of hitting one of them during construction. It is a good idea to contact the utility companies several weeks before your contractor is scheduled to begin the project in order to ensure that they can examine the placement of lines in advance.