Before the design, the site.

A fence sets a physical line. If it lands even a few inches over the boundary, it can become a dispute — or a relocation after the concrete has set. On older lots and shared boundaries, a survey before anyone breaks ground is the cheapest insurance.

Every post is a hole, and utilities often sit just inches below grade. Locates are required before digging. Automated gates typically need a buried electrical run to the operator — the exact kind of work 811 exists to protect. We handle locates as part of the project.

Most Georgia cities cap front-yard fences around 4 feet and side/rear around 6 feet — then HOAs add their own rules, often restricting chain link on street-facing sides. Permits vary by city and county. Automated gates can trigger an extra electrical inspection. We confirm before final design rather than assuming from a neighbor’s fence.

Corner lots often have a “visibility triangle” near the intersection — fencing has to stay low or open enough for drivers to see cross traffic. It’s about the intersection, not just your property line, and it’s commonly missed.

Slope, drainage, and tree roots shape what’s buildable. Uneven runs usually need raked or stepped panels. For gates, messy grade is exactly why cantilever exists — no ground track to fight with mud or gravel. See the Gate Style Guide for how terrain changes gate type.

A swing gate needs room for its full arc — a 12-foot gate needs roughly 27 feet of clear driveway depth once you account for a car waiting. Sliding and cantilever trade that for lateral space. Measure the actual driveway before falling in love with a look.