There may not be a more beautiful sight- that image of a meandering fence line gently cresting a hill and gracefully rolling over into a green valley. A fence line is more than just a boundary of protection- it is like the frame is to a picture, and that picture is of your farm!
One cannot stop their eyes from following a fence line that perfectly flows with the contour of the land. It is indeed pleasing to the eye, but not just anyone can turn a plain fence job into an inspiring work of art- and no two pieces of property are ever the same. Some land is flat as a pancake and easily fenced, other regions are full of varying elevations that make a fencer’s job more difficult. Hiring the right fence contractor to make your farm as attractive and functional as it can be is paramount.
A fence is a permanent fixture, a long-term investment that you will be looking at for years and years. This it is why it is so important that a farm finds the right contractor to install its fencing. One of the best ways to get the job you want is to ask the prospective fence contractor to provide a portfolio of their work so you can see for yourself. Ask to see the farms where the lay of the land closely resembles your farm layout. They say- “a picture says a thousand words” and in this case, they are exactly right. A fence that is erected properly cannot lie to your eyes and should produce an excellent first impression as someone enters your property.
If you plan to install your own fencing- this is when it is necessary to order an extra load of patience along with your fence posts and rails. If it were as easy as digging a hole and dropping in a post and make it look great- everyone could do it! The layout strings that stake out your intended fence lines must be exactly as you want them before your fencing project can begin. Where your string goes your fence line follows. Aside from quality treated wood products, determining and exacting your layout lines is the most important decision you’ll make before erecting your fence. The spacing of your posts and the actual post heights are also critical.
This is not an article of ‘how to’ put up your fence as much as it is how to deal with the un-level ground. Fence post heights must be adjusted by pulling them up or tamping them deeper into the soil. This is when someone with a good ‘eye’ will ‘eyeball’ the top board and make certain it is following the lay of the land. You simply cannot use a predetermined post height and roll with it throughout the job- unless you are fortunate to have nearly level property. Eying the top board or rail as you slowly install your fence will make certain your job is pleasing visually. Keep in mind- not everyone is good at this procedure.
Tightly ‘tamping’ your posts or setting them up in concrete will also assure you that the good work you did will stay in place for the long haul. This is only done after you have leveled and plumbed your post and made certain it is at the desired fence height. Mistakes made at this point cost time and money. If your fence post is too high you can always cut it off- but if it is too low, this means pulling the post out of the ground and starting over. No, putting up a fence is not rocket science, but it does take experience and a great deal of patience.
Again, hiring a knowledgeable fence contractor will all but eliminate these kinds of costs. Ultimately it is your money to spend as you wish- but a novice can rarely match the workmanship of a full-time fencer who has the eye to do the job right the first time.
