You have selected your fence, approved the estimate, and scheduled the installation. Now, there are a few things you can do to make sure your property is ready when the fence crew arrives.
But doesn’t the Fence Company handle the prep before installation? Yes. A professional fence company will handle the layout, post installation, materials, construction, and final details. Your “prep” role here is simply to make the work area accessible and address anything the installation team needs to know before the project begins.
A little preparation can help prevent avoidable delays, protect items around your property, and give the crew the space they need to complete your new fence properly.
***Note: Any recommendation listed here comes from what we’ve gathered after more than 9,000 fences installed.
So, let’s go into how to get ready for fence installation day:
1. Confirm the Fence Layout
Before work begins, make sure you understand where the new fence will be installed.
Review the approved layout, including the fence line, gate locations, gate widths, and any areas where the fence connects to your home, garage, or an existing structure. If anything has changed since your estimate, contact your fence company before installation day.
For example, you may have decided that a gate would work better on the opposite side of the yard or realized that you need a wider opening for lawn equipment. These details are easier to discuss before materials are installed.
If you have questions about the property line, address them before the project begins. Existing fences, tree lines, landscaping, and areas that have been maintained over time do not always represent the legal property boundary.
2. Clear the Area Along the Fence Line
Your installation crew will need room to move materials, dig post holes, set posts, and build the fence.
Walk along the planned fence line and remove portable items that may be in the way, including:
- Outdoor furniture
- Grills and fire pits
- Planters and garden decorations
- Children’s toys
- Sports equipment
- Lawn tools
- Hoses and sprinklers
- Trash and recycling containers
You don’t need to clear your entire yard. Focus on the area where the fence will be installed and any paths the crew may use to bring materials to the work area.
If there is an existing fence or old fence materials along the installation area, let the installers know ahead of time that removal or takedown will be needed. In our case, the North Smithfield Fence crew offers a professional fence removal and disposal service that allows our team to clear the existing structure and prepare the area before installing your new fence.
This kind of prep that gives the installation team clear access, helps reduce unnecessary interruptions and protects your belongings from accidental damage.
3. Trim Overgrown Plants Near the Installation Area
Bushes, vines, low tree branches, and overgrown plants can make it difficult to access the fence line.
Trim back vegetation that extends into the installation area. If vines are growing on an existing fence that will be removed, they may also need to be cut back or removed beforehand.
Pay particular attention to dense shrubs and plants that make it difficult to see the ground. Clear visibility helps the crew evaluate the installation area and work around existing landscape features.
You do not necessarily need to remove established trees or large shrubs. If landscaping is close to the proposed fence line, discuss it with your fence company. In some cases, the layout may be adjusted to preserve an important feature. In others, removing or relocating a plant may provide a better long-term result.
4. Mark Private Utilities and Yard Features
Public utility marking services identify many underground utility lines, but they may not locate privately installed systems.
Before fence installation day, let your contractor know about underground features on your property, such as:
- Irrigation and sprinkler lines
- Invisible pet fences
- Landscape lighting wires
- Private electrical lines
- Drainage systems
- Septic components
- Pool equipment lines
- Detached garage or shed utilities
If you know where these systems are located, mark them clearly and share that information with the installation team.
Even if a private line is not directly on the proposed fence route, knowing where it runs can help the crew work more carefully throughout the property.
5. Make Sure the Yard Is Easy to Access
Think about how the installation team will reach the fence area.
Unlock gates before the crew arrives and move vehicles that may block the driveway, side yard, or another access point. If your property has a narrow entrance or limited parking, communicate those details ahead of time.
Fence materials can be long, heavy, and difficult to move through tight spaces. A clear path helps the team transport posts, panels, rails, tools, and equipment without unnecessary obstacles.
If you will not be home during the installation, confirm how the crew should access the property and provide any necessary gate instructions in advance.
5. Plan for Children and Pets During Fence Installation
Even when an existing fence is being replaced, sections may need to remain open while the work is completed.
Plan to keep children and pets away from the active work area. Dogs should be kept indoors or in another secure location while gates and fence sections are removed or installed.
This also gives the crew room to work without worrying about a pet leaving the property through a temporary opening.
Remember that a yard may not be fully enclosed until the project is complete. Ask your fence company when it will be safe to allow pets to use the fenced area without supervision.
6. Mow the Lawn Before the Crew Arrives
If the grass is tall, mowing the yard a day or two before installation can make the fence line easier to see and access.
Shorter grass may also help reveal small obstacles, landscape edging, exposed roots, or other features near the installation area.
Avoid mowing while the crew is working or immediately after materials have been placed around the yard. Completing regular lawn maintenance beforehand keeps equipment out of the installation area and gives the team more room to work.
7. Discuss Slopes, Drainage, and Other Yard Conditions
Every property is different. Sloped areas, rocky soil, retaining walls, drainage paths, and uneven ground can all affect how a fence is installed.
Many of these conditions will be reviewed during the estimate, but contact your fence company if you notice something that may affect the project or if changes have been made to the yard since the original visit.
You should also mention areas that stay wet after heavy rain. Proper drainage matters because a fence should not unintentionally block water flow or create new drainage concerns.
Sharing these details before installation allows the team to plan around the conditions of your property.
8. Avoid Last-Minute Changes to the Installation Area
Once your fence installation is scheduled, avoid starting landscaping, excavation, paving, or other outdoor projects near the fence line unless they have been coordinated with your contractor.
New garden beds, patios, walkways, grading work, and drainage improvements may affect the approved fence layout.
If another outdoor project must happen around the same time, talk with both contractors about the order of work. Coordinating the projects can help prevent newly completed work from being disturbed and reduce the need for adjustments.
Preparing for fence installation does not require major work. Clearing the fence line, providing easy access, identifying private underground systems, and sharing important property details can help your installation team arrive ready to work.
North Smithfield Fence provides complete professional fence installation for homeowners throughout Rhode Island, Southern Massachusetts, and Northeastern Connecticut. From your estimate and material selection to installation and final walkthrough, our experienced team handles every stage of the project.
Schedule your estimate and get professional guidance on the right fence for your property.
