THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 18, 1995 TAG: 9502160225
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY MARY ELLEN MILES, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 122 lines
Here a fence, there a fence, everywhere a fence, fence. Yes, fences have become very popular in recent times. However, the days when you could just grab a bundle of wood, nails, saw, hammer, post hole digger, perhaps a few neighbors, and erect your own fence are extinct.
Municipal codes have accumulated over the years and potential fence builders would be wise to check their local zoning/permit office before starting. Fencing contractors will know this information or will do the checking for you, plus obtain any necessary permits.
Fencing contractor Harry A. Murphy of A. Murphy Fence Co. in Chesapeake cautions potential do-it-yourselfers to check community restrictions as well as municipal ones. And remember to contact Miss Utility 48 hours before digging. Failure to make that phone call could make you liable for damage to underground cables.
``Understanding building codes for fences is very important, particularly for fences around pools,'' Murphy says. ``Your local zoning office can be very helpful in interpreting fencing regulations.'' Virginia Beach in particular has requirements for houses that back up to a road.
These rules include landscaping with specific plants. Be sure to make allowances for landscaping in your fencing budget. Some contractors, like George Alcaraz, owner of GVG Inc. in Virginia Beach, have their landscape license, so they can be of help in such a situation.
Choosing a fencing contractor rather than sweating (literally, during our summers!) it out yourself, has several advantages, besides complying with code restrictions, says Murphy. Most companies provide estimates. ``Professional installation may be a lot less expensive (and certainly less painful) than you think,'' he says.
So, once you've decided to build a fence, you need to decide what type you want. Besides the traditional metal (the least expensive fence) or wood, vinyl fences have recently entered the scene. Vinyl may be the trend of the future. It is 100 percent maintenance free, but of course a higher price comes with such an advantage.
If vinyl indeed increases in popularity, and with the use of recyclable products in the manufacturing, the price will likely decrease in the future. However, if forests continue to be closed and the price of wood continues its seemingly unending upward escalation, ``the price of a wood fence may meet the price of a vinyl one,'' says Alcaraz.
Next, you need to pick a style of fence. Depending on your imagination and the feasibility, there are countless varieties. Some contractors, like Alcaraz, enjoy working for a creative client. An octagon window in a client's gate is one such example.
He recently built a wood rack into a fence, the first one he's done in this area. He created a new style diagonal fence for his own yard and deck. It's so unusual that many people come by and ask where his fence came from. Keep in mind what purpose the fence serves when choosing a style. Will it serve a strictly functional purpose, purely aesthetic purpose, or a combination of the two?
Thirty year fencebuilding veteran, Dick Overstreet, owner of Buyrningwood Farm Inc. in Virginia Beach, custom designs his cedar fences to match the style of a house. He explains that cedar is the ``best wood, because of its long fibers; it expands without splitting or warping. It's very durable'' Cedar and redwood have a natural oil that protect them from rot and insects.
There are different types of cedar but not all are equally good. ``Mother Nature cheats white cedar of its oils,'' says Overstreet. The greater the amount of oils, the greater the durability.
Western red cedar is the most popular in this area. As durable as this wood is, it still lasts longer if it's off the ground, a task accomplished by using a pressure treated pine base.
There are also different grades and thicknesses of wood; the thicker the better. Different types of wood do not necessarily grade on the same scale - No. 1 grade of one type and No. 1 grade of another may not both be the top grade. Pine, which needs to be pressure treated, can show imperfections, warp, split, etc. The thicker the wood, the less warping.
Pressure treating is an updated process of protecting the wood. The old process was called ``salt treating,'' whereby the wood was soaked in a preservative. Now a chemical is actually injected into the wood. The more pressure used in the process, the deeper the chemical will penetrate. The wood is treated ``to the very core, saturating every last fiber,'' says Murphy.
However, the wood in time may still show imperfections or shrink. Wood is pressure treated to different levels; the higher the number, the greater amount of pressure applied, the more durable the wood. Once again, the homeowner must make choices on the quality. Usually a one-year warranty is given from the manufacturer. Some contractors, like Murphy, offer a warranty on their workmanship.
After all the decisions have been made, if a fencing contractor is doing the work, an average job for an average yard will probably take two to three days, depending on the weather and the hardness of the soil, and cost will be at least $2,000. The fencebuilding season is year round; however, it seems to follow in part the same cycle as the real estate market, starting its busiest season during spring.
``People get ripped off it they don't know what they're doing,'' says Overstreet. ``A fence is a pretty big investment. One of the saddest things I've found is people spending from $2,000 to $5,000 on a fence and haven't even researched the products or the people involved.''
It's a good idea to make sure you choose a licensed, bonded contractor with liability and workman's comprehensive insurance. Your homeowner's insurance may not cover the fence builder. Feel free to ask for references.
``Respectable contractors are always willing to show off their work and are eager to provide references,'' says Murphy. Make sure to ask questions during your estimate and that your choices get written down. For instance, if the contractor has written ``Pine,'' make sure to also have him write down the grade and thickness.
Protect yourself and your investment, and you'll enjoy your fence for many years to come. ILLUSTRATION: [Cover]
LAWRENCE JACKSON
FENCING LESSONS
Contractor George ALcaraz aims for a creative touch in his
made-to-order fences. What homeowners need to know before putting up
a fence: Page 4
Fence builder Harry A. Murphy lines up railings on a job in
Chesapeake. Constructing fences is no simple matter.
Staff photos by Lawrence Jackson
George Alcaraz of Virginia Beach has invented a curved fence.
by CNB