Getting a fence professionally installed is a move that a lot of homeowners end up making. While the task can be done by an individual, it makes more sense to hire someone who can do it correctly (and not take weeks or months to complete it).

Cost is always going to be a factor, and there is no way around spending at least a little bit of money to make sure that it is done at a high quality. With that being said, there are some ways to keep fence installation cost down. Here are a few things to consider when budgeting for a fence company to install.

Fence material

A lot of fencing is going to be needed in order to properly in close part of a property. The type of fencing used can make a pretty big difference from a cost perspective.

The cheapest option for most people to consider is a chain link fence. These usually fall in the $10-$15 range per foot. A wood fence is about in the same price range, although it tends to be a few dollars more per foot.

For more premium options, vinyl and aluminum are going to be a little bit more costly. Vinyl usually runs for about $30 per foot, while aluminum is closer to $40 per foot. One of these four materials is likely to be used by just about any person putting up a fence. The material that makes the most sense is going to depend on how the rest of the property looks.

Fence installation cost

A normal fence company usually charges by the hour, and people should expect about $30-$50 per hour in most cases. Materials used are going to be roughly the same from company to company, but workers who know what they are doing and can be very efficient with time are going to be the best to go with.

One thing to keep in mind is that the more fence posts that actually need to be installed, the more expensive the overall installation will be. Every post needs to be set up with concrete, and that takes time and money.

Other special cases

It’s important to ask if there are potentially any special cases when a new fence goes up. For example, a hilly property might need special care in order to make the fence sit properly. Maybe special permits need to be polled to make sure that the fence can go up in the first place. Ask questions when discussing things with any fence company so that there are no huge surprises later on.

A crawl space is an important part of a building. This is where the plumbing, gas lines, electrical cables and duct work often run. When a home has been raised a few feet off the ground, a crawl space is automatically created. Unfortunately, many homeowners often fail to inspect the crawl spaces underneath their homes. When inspecting your home, you should never forget to inspect the crawl space. After all, it does not make sense to inspect the roof, gutters, basement and other parts of the house, but fail to check what is underneath the floor.

It is important to note that leaving off the crawl space inspection can lead to serious problems in your home. For instance, the floor of your home may be weakened due to excessive humidity underneath the floor. Mold and mildew may also start growing on your property. Below are some of the things to watch out for during a crawl space inspection:

1. Rodents

During winter, the crawl space in your home will be much warmer than the surroundings. As a result, rats, squirrels, raccoons and mice can make the crawl space their home. Since these rodents are known to reproduce fast, they will quickly form an army that can eat and damage your insulation, electrical wiring and PVC pipes. That is why you need to inspect and maintain the crawl space regularly.

2. High Humidity

Excess moisture in the crawl space will allow mold to grow in the crawl space. If you notice excessive humidity or mold in the crawl space during inspection, be sure to check your plumbing for any leaks. Please note that the high humidity in the crawl space can lead to water damage, which can compromise the wooden supports of the building and the insulation material.

3. Pests

If you notice a lot of roaches, termites or other types of pests in the crawl space, you should act fast to ensure the termites do not destroy the wooden supports and floor. Performing a thorough crawl space inspection prevents your home from becoming infested.

Depending on what you discover during your crawl space inspection, you should hire a pest exterminator and fix any water leaks that may have caused the water damage. Be sure to also replace damaged insulation and fix damaged PVC pipes and electrical wires. It would be best to hire an expert to inspect your home if you do not know how to do it.

Did you know that you can save a ridiculous amount of money by replacing the incandescent light bulbs in your home with the energy-saving LED light bulbs? If you are still sitting on the fence between incandescent and LED lights, you ought to know that LED technology, apart from being environmentally friendly, can cut down your electricity bill by over 50 percent. Here’s everything you need to know about LED lights and why it’s time to make the switch from traditional light bulbs to LED.

What is LED lighting?

Light emitting diodes, abbreviated as LED, refers to a technology where light is produced by passing a voltage to negatively charged semiconductors, which in turn causes electrons to combine and emit light. Nowadays, manufacturers combine multiple LEDs into a single light bulb for a superior lighting experience. Generally, LED technology tends to produce light bulbs that are long-lasting and more efficient compared to incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

Why choose LED lights?

Environmentally-friendly

Apart from the arguments of lifespan, efficiency and lower lighting costs, LEDs are the most environmentally- friendly lighting solution available on the market today. Indeed, apart from being recyclable, LEDs don’t contain mercury and other toxic substances found in conventional light bulbs.

Longer useful life

When you factor in the standard lifespan of a light bulb, regular CFLs and incandescent light bulbs pale in comparison to the LEDs. To put it into perspective, the average lifespan of a CFL life bulb is roughly 8000 hours, while incandescent bulbs barely go over 1200 hours. LEDs, on the other hand, can manage an impressive 50,000 hours before calling it quits. With such a long lifespan, LEDs make for an excellent investment in both commercial and residential premises.

Energy efficiency

Currently, LED technology is taking over the lighting industry by storm and with good reasons. When it comes to energy efficiency, LED has a significant lead over other lighting technologies. The demand for electricity is at an all-time high, especially for city dwellers, and with this high demand comes the rising cost of power. However, by opting for the ultra- energy efficient LED light bulbs, you stand to save up to 70% of energy costs.

A house is never just the four walls that you see on the outside. It is the love that lives on the inside. It is backyard BBQs and first steps walked. It is good morning kisses and bedtime stories… and so many things in between. Because your house is never just a house, but a home, it makes sense that you want a home that caters to your family, your lifestyle and your everyday life. Here are 3 reasons to not buy straight off the market, but instead cater your home to YOU with a custom home builder:

You Choose Counter Height.

If you are an at-home chef, and you are either short or tall, you may have trouble getting around the island and counters to really enjoy the cooking that you are doing. It is a little hard to chop a pepper or core an apple when the counter is either way too high or too low for you to comfortably prepare your meal. With a custom home, you can be picky. You can choose the height of your counters to perfectly coincide with what height that you need to make cooking a fun experience.

You Can Create an Adventure.

Do you have kids? Let the custom experts make your home an adventure for your children. From nooks and crannies to secret doors, a custom home has no rules. Should their closet lead into the library? A playroom? Should there be a slide that takes them straight down to dinner time? Whatever you can dream up, an expert team is able to make your dreams come to life. Talk it over with your kids and get them in on it too. Remember, this is where their memories are being made.

You Get All You Want and Nothing You Do Not.

We have all lived in a house where we had a room or area we didn’t know what to do with. In a custom home, you never have any unused spaces because you choose the spaces yourself. Win/win.

When you get ready to build a home sweet home… make sure it is just that – SWEET and yours.

A home built according to your needs will serve you much better than anything you could find on the market. However, planning and construction can be tricky. It will take more effort to ensure that everything turns out just the way that you want it to. Hiring an excellent custom home builder in Boise, Idaho will make the process a whole lot easier. Do the following while searching for the right one:

Get Trusted Referrals

You want a custom home builder that can deliver on their promises. The best ones to ask about this are people who have already built their own homes. They can tell you about their experiences with the companies that helped them. Ask them whether they would hire these again if they could do it all over. Get as many referrals as possible from trusted individuals such as your friends, relatives, and co-workers.

Perform Background Checks

Once you have compiled a list of builders, you can start performing a background check on each of them. Every business worth its salt has a website these days. They contain information on the company’s history, service offerings, past projects, and key people. Go ahead and visit them to learn more about what you are dealing with. See if their projects are similar to what you have in mind.

Set Up a Meeting

Trim down the list based on the result of your background check. Set up a meeting with each of the builders still up for consideration. Use this opportunity to step into their offices and get a feel for the way they do business. Tell them the detail of your plan and see if they can offer valuable comments and suggestions. You should be able to sense their eagerness to work with you.

Study the Bids

Based on your conversation, they should be able to have a good picture of the house that you want to build. Be candid about your budget for the project so that they can adjust accordingly. Ask them to submit a bid with a complete breakdown of the costs. There could be great variation in the type of materials, cost of labor, and length of construction. Study each of the bids carefully to find the best value for money.

If you live in Meridian, Idaho and need fencing for security, for privacy, to keep your children and pets safely inside, or want to enhance the overall look of your home, then Meridian Fence, the best Cedar Fence Contractor in the area, is the way to go. Serving Boise, Meridian, and other surrounding areas, they offer several types of high quality fencing available to suit all your needs.
Apart from  standard fencing, they are also more than happy to work with you and use your ideas to create custom fencing that is unique to you.

Fence Products

• Cedar — our cedar fencing is cheaper than other materials, looks stunning, and if well-maintained, will last for years and years. Cedar fencing is the first choice for many home-owners in and around Boise
• Vinyl — although higher in price than wood fencing, our vinyl fencing is incredibly durable, and an excellent investment that will actually save you money over the years
• Wrought Iron — wrought iron fencing is tough, looks beautiful, provides plenty of security, and comes in capped style, 2-rail, and 3-rail for extra stability.

They also install chain link fencing, which is not only less expensive but also provides significantly higher levels of security

Apart from installing our standard fencing, they also offer a service to stain, restore, preserve, or enhance your existing fencing. Every job is handled by our experts in a professional manner, and each customer is given a 2 to 3-year manufacturer’s guarantee on every maintenance-free stain project that we take on.

Why Choose Meridian Fence?
They are a professional Cedar Fence Contractor dedicated to keeping our clients completely satisfied, and we will deliver a service to you that is guaranteed to meet all your requirements, at a price that suits your budget. From the moment you make that first call to us, you will be treated with the utmost respect, and if you are not sure as to which type of fencing to order, our experts will help you all the way, to make the right decision.
Should you require any further information regarding their company or products, visit their website by clicking here

Vinyl Fence is cost effective and has multiple uses. It looks just as good in a residential neighborhood, as it does on a country ranch. With so many styles available, home owners can find just about any type of fence they want, in a vinyl version.

Cost and benefit

Vinyl fencing is a good investment. It costs slightly more than wood. But, in the long run, it will be cost effective. Typically, there is little to no maintenance. Vinyl is durable and can last much longer than wood fencing. It doesn’t rot or rust, which means it may never need to be replaced, unless it becomes damaged by forces of nature.

Styles

The picket style fencing looks just like the wood version. It can be installed with plain vinyl posts, or with decorative touches. It will look just as good on a stately manner, as it will look in front of a ranch house or older colonial home. The Cape Cod is a straight version with little decoration. The Danbury is a scooped version with plain posts. The Providence has a more defined scoop and is often used with decorative finials.

Semi-private fencing is used as a barrier and to keep pets in. It is often used in applications where complete privacy is not necessary, but some separation for the surroundings is desired. It comes in different heights.

Privacy fencing is used to maintain a more secluded feel, whether for a patio, yard with a pool, or a yard containing pets. It can be solid or designed with a lattice top, for a more decorative look. Privacy fencing comes in typical standard heights.

Porches and railing

Vinyl fencing looks good as an accent fence. It can be used on porches and with railings, to provide a safety barrier. It can also draw attention to the front of the home. When used around decks, vinyl fencing gives the homeowner and guests a sense of privacy and seclusion. Railing fence comes in two different heights.

Colors and variations

The typical color for vinyl fence is white. However, it may also be available in tan and other aesthetically pleasing colors. While there aren’t many color choices, vinyl fence can be painted, like its wood counterparts. Homeowners can match the fence to the home or paint a coordinating color.

Safety

Vinyl fencing is durable and built to last. It may never need to be replaced. Wood fence often requires replacement of rotting planks or posts, depending on the type of weather it’s exposed to. Vinyl looks good in a variety of settings. When used on ranches, for horse and livestock, it is safer than wood, which can cause splinters and scrapes. Vinyl is easy to clean. A wet cloth and occasional soap and water can help vinyl fence maintain its fresh, new look.

Durability, plenty of choice, and cost effectiveness are some of the many advantages if installing vinyl fencing. The ability to work in a variety of settings makes it a good choice for nearly any property owner.

When it comes to fence, fences and fencing, there are many different kinds to choose from. wrought iron fence, aluminium and metal fence, vinyl fence, dog run fence and picket fences are just a few types of fences. There are even pool fences, wood fences, fence posts, electric gates, privacy fences and gates.

Our team of fence installers and contractors will provide you with free quotes and they will complete your fencing in a professional manner. When you need a fencing contractor, then make sure you give us a call.

Vinyl Fencing
This kind of fencing is inexpensive, and it is easy to maintain, which is one of the reasons why it is a good choice. PVC is what the fencing is made out of, which means it won’t rot away or warp. Plus, you won’t need to paint it. They make for great privacy fences and picket fences.

Wood Fences
This type of fencing option is popular and it is because of its attractiveness. Let’s not forget to mentioned that you can choose from different types of wood, such as pine, redwood and spruce to name just a few. These fences are also durable, thanks to the metal that can be used to reduce rotting, as well as warping.

Aluminum And Metal
Fences made from aluminum and mtal are a great alternative to wrought iron. Not much maintenance is needed with aluminum fences, and they are quite durable. One of the best things about them is that they do not rust, and they are available in many different styles.

Wrought Iron
This fence lasts a longtime, and little maintenance is required with them.

Chain Link Fence
These fences are very common, and they offer a good amount of privacy. Not only that, but they tend to be inexpensive and they are low in maintenance. Go for this option if you want a good privacy fence that doesn’t cost a lot of money.

Steel Fencing
If you want a look of elegance, then steel fencing is the way to go. They are usually maintenance-free and they are extremely durable. Asides from that, they are usually finished with a coat of powder. If you need a strong fence that features a great finish, then consider having a steel fence installed.

Privacy Fencing
These come in various styles, as well as materials and colors. They are great for the backyard, and when you install one, then you are pretty much installing a new room to your home. There are a number of factors you will want to take a look at in regards to privacy fencing, so take that into consideration when you figure out what your price range is.

Dog Runs
If you have pets and you want them to remain in a single location either outside or inside, but you do not want to install an entire fence, then you will want to take a look at dog runs.

Picket Fencing
Picket fences are very common, and they look great. They have been features so many times in so many movies, paintings and so forth. Picket fences are available in various materials, but many people tend to get them in wood and vinyl.

Pool Fencing
Make sure you take the time to browse the different styles that pool fences are available in. Also, they can be made from various materials. You can fence in your pool for decorative purposes and/or for privacy purposes.

Gates
Gates allow you to control who enters your property and who leaves it, which is why they are a good buy. If you don’t want someone entering your property, then you can do that thanks to this type of fencing option.

Electric Gate
Electric gates allow you to get into a certain area all without the need to leave your vehicle. You will be able to open the gate with just a touch of a button.

Fence, Fencing and Fences : The Use, The Styles And The Materials
Fencing is used for various things and they are available in so many different styles and materials. However, you need a qualified professional that can tell you about the different types of fences and provide you with some good advice. You don’t want just anybody installing your fence.

Uses For Fences
There are many things fences are used for, including for privacy, protection of yards and livestock, for pools, preventing snow and sports. They are also used for decorative purposes, security and landscaping. Prisons, airfields and fixed machinery are also things fences are used for.

The Styles
They come in styles such as dog ear, gothic, pool and picket. Other styles include French Gothic and New England style to name just a few.

The Materials
Fences are available in so many different materials, and this includes wood, oak, cedar and even wattle. Other materials include chestnut and spruce, as well as pine.

Thanks to its durability and many positive qualities, vinyl fencing is a popular choice for residential and commercial uses. When still unsure about the decision to use vinyl, consider its benefits. Five in particular are worth reviewing.

Vinyl Material Strength
Vinyl fencing is known for its strength and durability. A weather resistant option, vinyl also lacks the problems with rotting, mold, cracking and warping that can be an issue with other materials. It sports an impressive wind rating, particularly compared to that of wood varieties of fencing. Vinyl fences can also endure heavy amounts of rain and a range of extreme temperatures. Additionally, vinyl is not susceptible to unsightly scratches in the way other materials are.

Economical Price
Depending on the exact product chosen and the decision to add a color, the price per linear foot for vinyl fencing can be more expensive than other materials. Despite that, vinyl often proves to be a more economical choice in the long term. Vinyl lasts longer than other types of fences, wood in particular. Vinyl fencing might also come with a warranty, further adding to its value.

Product Maintenance
Low maintenance is a benefit of vinyl fencing many come to appreciate. Cleaning is usually a matter of a little soap and water, a rinse with a garden hose often sufficient for minor jobs. Heavier dirt or stains might require extra scrubbing, something that might become necessary after storms or other unexpected circumstances. Cleaning solutions can be of help, environmentally safe products being particularly suitable for vinyl fencing.

Environmental Safety
Vinyl fencing is also environmentally friendly in some important ways. Although it is not biodegradable, vinyl fencing can be recycled. Vinyl fencing also has no need to be treated with toxic chemicals and does not require frequent repainting.

Style Variety
Vinyl fencing is available in a number of interesting styles, making it easy to serve a variety of aesthetic preferences. Lattice tops are available for fence panels, for example, or buyers can choose scalloped pickets. Private, semi-private and picket fencing options allow buyers to decide how fully to block sight lines. All choices present options that are attractive, functional and long lasting.

Today, fencing options are abundant, but the one most important ingredient in choosing the right fence for your home will always be making sure it suits your needs. So, ask yourself, is the goal of installing a fence to maintain a certain level of privacy, increase property value and curb appeal, or is it to keep your pets and children within the boundaries of their own yard?

Something else that must be considered when putting up a fence is the initial cost and the amount of maintenance it will require to keep it in good condition and looking good for years. Cost is often the overriding factor in selecting a good fence, but that doesn’t have to mean your selection will not perform according to your desires.

Here are some tips you may find helpful in deciding which fence is right for your home:

1. If you want a fence for the privacy and security, then you’ll want a full privacy fence.  Privacy fencing has no visibility between slats, comes in a variety of styles and materials.  The most popular are vinyl and cedar.  Privacy fence is usually more expensive that other fencing types, simply because they require more material.  Some HOA’s may not allow full privacy fencing, make sure you check the guidelines of your sub-division.

2. When full privacy is not important, many people opt for a semi-privacy fencing.  They still provide great security, but are more open,  and allow sunlight and air to pass through.

3. If looks or simple defining a property boundary is the main goal, then a picket fence is the way to go.  Picket fencing will not provide privacy or security, but they add a beautiful look and feel to a property – especially wide open or larger property spaces.

4. Fence maintenance can, over time become a big issue since not all fencing materials hold up to the weather in the same way. Vinyl fencing will cost more initially, but requires very little maintenance, and in the long run will be less expensive than cedar.

Choose The Right Fence Contractor

Specialized tools are required when fencing in a yard. You could do it yourself, but unless you have the skills and equipment to do the work properly you would be better off hiring a fencing contractor. Contractors understand how to secure building permits and can advise you on the right fence for the job and whether or not your HOA would approve. Be safe and call in an expert.