Essential preparation steps Jacksonville homeowners need before fence installation, from utility marking to property line verification.
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Before any digging begins on your property, underground utilities must be properly marked and identified. This isn’t just a good idea—it’s a legal requirement that protects you from serious liability and safety risks.
We handle the 811 call-before-you-dig service for our clients, but understanding the process helps you prepare appropriately. We contact 811 at least two full business days before your scheduled installation date to request utility marking.
The 811 service covers public utilities like gas, electric, water, and telecommunications lines. However, you’re responsible for identifying private utilities on your property, which we’ll cover in detail next.
Here’s where many Jacksonville homeowners get caught off guard. While 811 handles public utility marking, private utilities remain your responsibility to identify and mark. This distinction can make or break your installation timeline.
Public utilities include the main service lines that connect your home to city services—gas, electric, water, sewer, and telecommunications. These lines typically run from the street to your home’s meter, and 811 coordinates with local utility companies to mark them with spray paint or flags before your installation date.
Private utilities are everything beyond your meter or any systems you’ve installed yourself. This includes underground sprinkler systems, pool equipment lines, landscape lighting, invisible dog fences, French drains, and any electrical lines running to sheds, workshops, or outdoor structures. Even lines that feed water features or extend power to gates fall into this category.
The challenge is that private utility damage isn’t covered by the 811 protection system. If we hit your irrigation system or landscape lighting during installation, you’re responsible for repair costs. That’s why creating a detailed map of your private utilities before installation day is crucial. Walk your property and note where lines enter and exit the ground, where control boxes are located, and the general path utilities take across your yard.
If you’re unsure about private utility locations, consider hiring a private utility locating service. The upfront cost is minimal compared to repairing damaged systems and dealing with installation delays.
Installing your fence on the wrong property line creates expensive legal headaches and neighbor disputes that can last for years. What looks obvious from ground level often isn’t accurate, especially in established neighborhoods where original survey stakes may have been moved or removed during construction projects.
Property pins are small metal markers installed by surveyors that mark the exact corners of your lot. These pins are typically buried a few inches underground and can be difficult to locate without the right equipment. Above-ground stakes that may be visible in your yard aren’t reliable—they’re often moved accidentally during landscaping or construction work.
Professional property surveys cost between $300-$600 in the Jacksonville area, but this investment protects you from much larger problems down the road. A surveyor will locate your property pins and mark them with flags or stakes, giving us clear boundaries to work within. Some surveying companies offer “property pin location” services that cost less than a full survey if you just need boundary verification.
If you’re installing a fence along a shared property line, communicate with your neighbors before work begins. Even if you’re installing the fence entirely on your property, letting neighbors know about the project timeline helps maintain good relationships and can prevent misunderstandings later.
Don’t rely on existing fences, driveways, or landscaping features to determine property lines. Previous property owners may have installed features incorrectly, and you don’t want to compound existing boundary issues with your new fence installation.
A clean, accessible work area allows us to work efficiently and reduces the risk of damage to your existing landscaping. The goal is creating clear pathways and work zones while protecting valuable plants and outdoor features.
We need access to the entire fence line plus several feet on either side for equipment and materials. This means temporarily relocating outdoor furniture, planters, decorations, and anything else that could interfere with installation work.
Consider the logistics of material delivery and equipment access. Fence materials are delivered on large trucks that need space to maneuver and unload. Post-hole diggers, concrete mixers, and other installation equipment require clear pathways to reach all areas of your fence line.
Overgrown vegetation along your planned fence line needs to be cleared before installation begins. This includes removing weeds, trimming back bushes and tree branches, and cutting down any unwanted vegetation that interferes with the fence path.
Pay special attention to tree roots near your fence line. Large roots can interfere with post installation and may require special equipment or techniques to work around. If you have valuable trees near the fence line, discuss root protection strategies with us before work begins. Sometimes slight fence line adjustments can preserve important trees while still meeting your privacy and security goals.
Remove any existing structures along the fence line, including old fencing, posts, decorative borders, or temporary barriers. If you’re replacing an existing fence, coordinate removal timing with us—we prefer to remove old fencing as part of our service, but sometimes want it cleared beforehand depending on the project.
Don’t forget about underground obstacles like old concrete footings, buried debris, or large rocks that could interfere with post-hole digging. If you know about these obstacles, mark their locations and discuss them with us during the planning phase. Early identification prevents delays and allows for proper planning around challenging areas.
Consider seasonal factors when planning vegetation removal. In Jacksonville’s climate, certain times of year are better for major landscaping work, and you want to coordinate fence installation with your overall yard maintenance schedule.
Installation work can be hard on existing landscaping, but proper preparation minimizes damage and protects your investment in outdoor improvements. The key is identifying vulnerable areas and taking protective measures before work begins.
Delicate plants near the fence line should be temporarily relocated if possible. Container plants are easy to move, but established flower beds, shrubs, and garden areas need protection in place. Use tarps, plywood, or temporary barriers to shield plants from equipment traffic and construction debris. Mark sprinkler heads and irrigation lines with flags so our installation crews can avoid damage.
Protect hardscaping features like patios, walkways, and driveways from heavy equipment and material storage. Plywood sheets can distribute weight and prevent cracking or surface damage. If materials need to be stored on your driveway, discuss placement strategies with us that minimize impact on your concrete or asphalt surfaces.
Consider your outdoor lighting, both permanent fixtures and low-voltage landscape lighting. Installation equipment can damage light fixtures, and trenching for fence posts sometimes conflicts with buried lighting cables. Map your lighting system and discuss potential conflicts with us during the planning phase.
Swimming pools, hot tubs, and water features require special attention during fence installation. Pool equipment, decking, and surrounding landscaping need protection from construction activity. If you’re installing pool fencing, additional safety and permitting requirements may apply, so discuss these specifics with us early in the planning process.
Proper preparation sets the foundation for a successful fence installation, but the real payoff comes on installation day when everything runs smoothly. You’ve protected your property, verified boundaries, and cleared the work area—now we can focus on building a fence that enhances your property for years to come.
Remember that fence installation is a collaborative process between you and us. Your preparation work eliminates common delays and complications, while our expertise ensures proper installation techniques and long-lasting results. When both sides do their part, you get the privacy, security, and property enhancement you’re looking for without the stress and complications that plague unprepared projects.
For Jacksonville homeowners ready to move forward with professional fence installation, H & W Fence Company brings over 40 years of experience to every project, handling the complex coordination while you enjoy the results.
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