You know that feeling when you’ve finally decided to get a fence installed, but then reality hits? The crew’s scheduled to arrive next week, and suddenly you’re wondering if your yard is actually ready. Here’s the thing – most Monona homeowners think they’re prepared until installation day arrives and everything goes sideways.
Trusted local fence installation services serving Monona know that proper yard preparation makes the difference between a smooth project and a costly headache. The truth is, a little preparation goes a long way, especially when you’re dealing with Wisconsin weather and Lake Monona’s unique challenges.
Let’s walk through the seven steps that’ll save you time, money, and that awkward conversation with your fence contractor about why things aren’t going according to plan.
Step 1: Call 811 (Diggers Hotline) – No Exceptions
This isn’t optional, folks. Underground utilities are everywhere in Monona’s established neighborhoods, and you definitely don’t want to be the person who hits a gas line because you skipped this step.
The Diggers Hotline needs at least three business days’ notice before any digging starts. Here’s what makes this particularly important near Lake Monona – waterfront properties often have additional utility considerations that aren’t immediately obvious. That innocent patch of grass might be hiding your neighbor’s cable line or a water connection you never knew existed.
Pro tip: Take photos of those spray-painted utility marks. Wisconsin weather has a funny way of making them disappear right when you need them most.
Step 2: Locate Your Property Lines (Before Someone Gets Mad)
Most homeowners are basically guessing where their property actually ends. That old fence line? It might be completely wrong, and assuming otherwise is a recipe for neighborhood drama.
Survey stakes beat assumptions every time. If you’re dealing with a waterfront property, setback requirements from Lake Monona add another layer of complexity. Sometimes you need professional help – signs include missing property markers, conflicting information from neighbors, or that nagging feeling that something doesn’t look right.
The best approach? Have a conversation with your neighbors before installation day. Nobody wants to deal with boundary disputes when the fence crew is standing there waiting.
Step 3: Clear the Fence Line (More Than Just Moving the Garden Hose)
This goes way beyond picking up toys and moving that grill you haven’t touched in two years. You need to clear at least three feet on either side of the proposed fence line. That means furniture, decorations, sprinkler heads, landscape lighting, and yes, even those buried pet toys your dog’s been saving for a special occasion.
Don’t forget about the not-so-obvious stuff. Sprinkler heads are expensive to replace, and landscape lighting systems can turn a simple fence installation into an electrical project. Mark anything worth saving with bright ribbons or stakes – communication is everything when heavy equipment shows up.
Step 4: Mark and Protect Existing Landscaping
Time for some landscaping triage. What’s worth saving versus what you can sacrifice? That beautiful tree ten feet away from the fence line still matters because of its root zone.
Use bright ribbons, spray paint, or stakes to mark everything you want protected. Root zones extend well beyond what you can see above ground, so give your existing trees and shrubs plenty of buffer space. If you’ve got an irrigation system, those heads aren’t cheap to replace.
The key is clear communication with your contractor. They can’t read your mind about which plants matter to you.
Step 5: Check for Drainage Issues (Wisconsin Weather Doesn’t Mess Around)
Living near Lake Monona means dealing with unique drainage considerations. Spring thaw reveals all sorts of interesting things about your yard’s water management – or lack thereof.
Look for standing water, soggy spots, or that weird area where grass just won’t grow. These aren’t just cosmetic issues; they affect foundation stability and post placement. Sometimes you need to call in drainage experts before fence installation can even begin.
Seasonal considerations matter here. What looks fine in July might be a swamp in March, and your fence needs to handle both scenarios.
Step 6: Measure Twice, Fence Once
Basic measuring sounds simple until you realize your yard isn’t as flat as you thought. Slopes and elevation changes affect everything from material calculations to gate placement.
You need to account for access points, corners, and those tricky areas where your property line takes an unexpected turn. Accurate measurements save money on materials and prevent that “oops, we’re three feet short” moment halfway through installation.
Professional measuring makes sense for complex properties. Let the experts handle the math – especially when dealing with Monona’s varied terrain.
Step 7: Plan for Installation Day Logistics
Where can the crew park and unload materials? This matters more than you’d think, especially in established neighborhoods where street parking is limited.
Your pets are going to have strong opinions about strangers working in their territory. Plan accordingly. Wisconsin weather changes fast, so have backup plans for rain delays or unexpected storms.
Designate a point person for questions during installation. Nothing slows down a project like trying to track down the homeowner every time a decision needs to be made.
What You DON’T Need to Worry About
Good contractors handle permit paperwork – fence companies like Solid Fencing Co. take care of the bureaucratic headaches so you don’t have to. Don’t stress about exact post locations; that’s what you’re paying professionals for.
Material selection doubts happen. Last-minute changes are normal, and weather delays are out of everyone’s control.
Ready for Success
Proper preparation makes fence installation smoother for everyone involved. Here in Monona, successful projects come down to planning ahead and working with contractors who understand local challenges – from Lake Monona’s influence on drainage to Wisconsin’s unpredictable weather patterns.
The bottom line? Take these seven steps seriously, and you’ll be ready when that fence crew pulls into your driveway. Your future self will thank you when the project wraps up on time and under budget, with a fence that’ll handle whatever Wisconsin throws at it.
Ready to get that free estimate and start planning? The hardest part is behind you.
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