Does a Fence Add Value to a Home?

Real estate agents are people who give homes property value, some of them say that having a fence does not promise a return on investment when the property is going to be sold. With the question, “Does a fence add value to a home?” There are lots of factors that need to be considered first. Having a fence increases your home value depending on what materials it’s made of, its locality in your neighborhood, what home buyers want, and the fence’s overall condition.

Experts add that landscaped homes can be sold more compared to non-landscaped homes. Landscaped home includes those houses that have fences built around the house to bring the property together and make it more aesthetically pleasing. Even when ROI is uncertain, home sellers still install a fence to their property. They’re not wrong for a front yard fence adds curb appeal to the property. Additionally, buyers who have pets will appreciate backyards with tall wood fences.

How Much Does It Cost to Construct a Fence?

Fencing contractor companies estimate that as of 2022, fence installation will averagely cost around $3,500-$10,000+. Some factors that affect the cost of the fence include the length of the perimeter where the fences will be installed, the type of fence used, fence materials used, necessary permits needed, and if you will be hiring professional fencing contractors.

Fence materials typically cost between $20-$120 per linear foot, and an average backyard perimeter stretches between 150-170 linear feet while front yards are shorter in length. You should also consider the height of your fence. Front yard fences are about 3 feet high while backyard fences are 6-8 feet long.

Pros and Cons of Different Fencing Materials

There are a variety of materials fences can be made of, cheaper alternatives will insignificantly add to the value of the property and its curb appeal. A helpful decision when choosing a material is thinking about your location and climate if it always rains, if strong winds are present, and if it snows.

Wooden fence – generally cheap, good for privacy, high maintenance, only good in the short run.
Vinyl fencing – expensive, decorative, and with little to no maintenance. The majority of white picket fences are made from this material.
Aluminum fences – expensive, looks like wrought iron but is less durable and requires less maintenance.
Wrought iron fencing – expensive, decorative, high maintenance, and the most durable.

In addition to the list, there is also one particular fence that is made from living shrubs or trees, they are called live fencing or living fence often referred to as a hedge or a ‘green’ fence.

What do you need to do before Installing a Fence?

Before building a fence, it is important to know your property lines. Your home’s plat will provide you with details regarding the area of your property and its boundaries. If you do not have this, you could always go to your county assessor’s office or call a land surveyor to get you the correct measurements. This avoids any inconvenience when the time comes when you’re selling your property.

If your fence is outside your property line, this can bring major issues such as giving your buyers a false impression of where your property ends and enraging neighbors for trespassing beyond their property area.

It should also be noted to build around gas, electricity, water, and cable lines that are present in the length of the perimeter where your fences will be installed. Having your utility company come over to check your plan is also a good idea. Be sure to examine your yard and check out for tree roots, steep hills, rocky soil, and other obstacles present to avoid making the job complex and more expensive.

How to Hire a Professional Fencing Contractor?

If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, it’s best you ask help from a professional to do the fencing job for you. A true professional will make your property more attractive with the addition of fences. Asking your real estate agent or neighbors if they know someone is a good start but with the help of online reviews and references, you’ll find the best one for you. Interview potential installers to filter out the one that can attend to your fencing needs.

How to Fix Fences of Different Materials?

Before listing a property, it’s better to make sure that everything is in tip-top shape including your fences. Here’s how to fix different kinds of fences:

Wooden Fences – should be painted regularly to keep them fresh and in good condition. However, if the wood is rotting, you can either replace it or remove it.
Vinyl Fences – has to be cleaned, sanded, filled with expandable form, cut the foam, sanded again, apply plastic filler, sand for the last time, and painted to match colors.
Aluminum Fences – chain link fencing involves the use of the material aluminum. Fixing it requires fixing the rail and the post and applying paint for a uniform look.
Wrought Iron Fences – must remove rust and old paint, neutralize rust, and paint again for it to look new.

Going back to the question, fences are a big investment and it’s not a definite way of adding value to your property before listing it. It’s better to focus on indoor home improvements and landscaping. Homeowners generally add fences to their homes to set up privacy and let their fur friends run freely while in the safety and comfort of their homes.