You've picked your material, agreed on a layout, and got on the schedule. The hardest part is done. But there's a short window between signing the contract and the crew showing up where a few simple steps on your end can make a real difference — in how smoothly the job goes, how fast it gets done, and whether anything unexpected forces a delay or a return visit.
Here's what to take care of before installation day.
Call 811 before anything goes in the ground
In Pennsylvania, calling 811 (PA One Call) before digging is required by law — but beyond the legal requirement, it's genuinely important. Utility lines for gas, electric, water, cable, and telecommunications are often shallower than people expect, and post holes go deep. 811 is free, and the turnaround is typically 3 business days. Your contractor may handle this, but confirm it explicitly — don't assume. If you're not sure whether it's been done, ask.
Once utilities are marked, leave the flags or paint in place. The crew needs to see them.
Know where your property line actually is
This is the one that causes the most problems after the fact. Many homeowners have a general sense of where their property ends, but "general sense" isn't enough when you're setting posts. Installing a fence over your property line — even by a foot — can result in a dispute with your neighbor or, in some municipalities, a required removal.
If you have a survey, pull it out. If you know where your survey pins are, mark them. If you're not sure, it may be worth having the lot surveyed before the install, especially on any side where the line isn't obvious. A good contractor will ask about this upfront and work from whatever documentation you have.
Talk to your neighbors before the crew does
If your fence runs along a shared property line, your neighbor is going to notice — ideally before a crew shows up with equipment, not after. A brief conversation beforehand prevents surprises, gives them a chance to raise any concerns while there's still time to address them, and keeps the relationship intact. You're not required to get their permission (in most cases), but a heads-up goes a long way.
Also worth confirming: which side of the fence faces out. The finished side typically faces the neighbor or the street. If you have a preference, make sure it's in your contract.
Confirm HOA approval if it applies to you
If you're in a community with a homeowners association, get written approval before installation day — not after. HOAs commonly regulate fence height, material, color, and whether a fence is permitted on street-facing sides of the property at all. An unapproved fence can mean a required removal at your expense. If you submitted an application, verify that approval came back in writing before the job starts.
Clear the fence line
Walk the planned fence line and remove anything that will slow the crew down: garden hoses, lawn furniture, potted plants, decorative edging, low-hanging branches, or debris. The crew will work along the entire line and needs clear access the full length of the job. If there are landscape beds or plantings near the line that you want protected, flag them or point them out when the crew arrives.
If you have a dog, plan for where they'll stay during the install. Gates will be open and sections of the yard will be temporarily open throughout the day.
Double-check gate placement before work begins
Gate location is one of the most common things homeowners want to change after the fact — and it's far easier to adjust before a single post goes in. Before the crew starts, walk the layout with the crew lead and confirm gate positions relative to how you actually use the yard: where you park, where you access the backyard, how equipment or deliveries come through. If anything looks off, say so then.
Plan to be reachable on install day
You don't need to stand in the yard all day, but being reachable by phone matters. Questions come up — an unmarked utility line, a grade change, a layout decision at a corner. A quick answer keeps the job moving. A missed call can mean the crew has to stop and wait, or make a judgment call that you'd have decided differently.
If you can be home for the start of the job, that's ideal. The first 20 minutes — confirming the layout, walking the line, pointing out anything the crew should know — sets the tone for the whole day.
After the install
Once the crew is done, walk the fence with the crew lead before they leave. Check that gates swing and latch correctly, post caps are in place, and the line looks right from both inside and outside the yard. Minor adjustments are much easier to handle on the spot than to schedule as a return visit.
If you're in the Pittsburgh area and have questions about what to expect from your install, give us a call. We're happy to walk through it before your project starts.