Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Rail Fence Installation
Rail Fence Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Rail Fence Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Rail Fence Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Rail Fence Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Rail Fence Installation labor cost? What are the important Rail Fence Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Rail Fence Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Rail Fence Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Rail Fence Installation expect to pay between $4.80 to $6.49 per linear foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Rail Fence Installation work? | Design approval and/or permits from your local building authority are usually required for Rail Fence Installation. Verify requirements with your local building department before any Rail Fence Installation work begins. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Rail Fence Installation work? | The final appearance of the rail fencing will depend on the skill, techniques and relevant experience of the professional. Make a hiring commitment only after relevant experience and quality of recent Rail Fence Installation work have been verified. Include the apropriate quality checks (use the list below) when soliciting bids and in a signed contract. |
| Is Rail Fence Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Rail Fence Installation project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Rail Fence Installation requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Rail Fence Installation work? | This work can be completed in 1 to 3 days. |
Rail Fence Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Rail Fence Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Rail Fence Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- All rail fence from the same manufacturers lot
- The layout, location, style and finish appearance of ALL materials used in Rail Fence Installation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
- All materials, connectors and fasteners used for the Rail Fence Installation will be mechanically and electrochemically (non-corroding) compatible with the Rail Fence Installation
- A detailed rail fence layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- Vertical edges of rail fencing will be plumb to within 1/16 inch in 6 feet
- The rail fencing will be installed with no sagging - so that any horizontal edge does not vary from a straight line by more than 1/8 inch in 10 feet
- All rail fence ledges and floors exposed to water must slope away from adjoining walls and toward the nearest drain with a slope of no less than 1/16 inch per foot
Rail Fence Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Rail Fence Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the rail fencing work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review quantity calculations for rail fence and any associated construction materials; overage /waste should be less than 7.5% of calculated quantities
- Select, specify and order rail fencing; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Manage delivery of rail fencing; verify that delivered model #, grade, finish, size, options, and quantity match the order precisely; thoroughly inspect all items for damage and proper operation; make or authorize final payment only after complete order is delivered
- Confirm date (and time) for project start with subcontractor - one week and two days prior to project start
- Obtain a permit for Rail Fence Installation from local building authority; post permit on the jobsite as required
- Prepare area for safe, efficient work; move items that restrict work access or are vulnerable to damage; cover and protect items that cannot be moved
- Arrange for existing rail fencing to be recycled after removal (optional)
- Inspect installation quality and verify proper operation for rail fencing using the Quality Checklist on this page; create a punch list of final tasks that must be completed prior to final payment
- Remove debris, dirt and dust from all work areas; unless otherwise agreed, all demolition debris and construction waste will be removed from the site within 24 hours
- Inspect Rail Fence Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
