A little preparation can help deer fence installation proceed smoothly and reduce avoidable changes once work begins. Before the crew arrives, confirm where the fence can go, identify plants and obstacles along its route, and decide how people and equipment will enter the enclosed area. Walk the property with your plans in hand, and note anything that may affect digging or fence placement. These checks help you make clear decisions before installation starts.
Confirm the Fence Boundary
Walk the proposed perimeter and compare it with your property records or survey. Mark corners, changes in direction, and the intended fence line. Do not assume an existing garden edge, hedge, or old fence follows the legal boundary. If the line is uncertain, resolve it before installation rather than asking the crew to guess.
Look for easements, shared driveways, utility areas, and neighboring access needs that could affect placement. In Pittsburgh, sloped ground and irregular lot shapes can make the route less obvious from a map alone. Flag any section where the fence may need a different alignment, and discuss it with your contractor before materials are set.
Clear the Installation Route
Remove movable items from the planned route, including garden tools, hoses, planters, lawn furniture, and stored materials. Trim back branches or dense growth that blocks access to the fence line, but check before removing established trees or valuable landscaping. Point out plants you want protected so the crew can account for them while working.
Check for roots, stumps, rocks, retaining walls, and changes in grade along the route. These can affect where posts go and how the fence follows the ground. Identify buried irrigation lines and private wiring, and arrange to have underground utilities marked before digging. Share what you know about drainage or recurring wet spots.
Plan Gate Locations
Choose gate locations based on how you use the property, not just where the fence line makes installation easiest. Consider regular routes to gardens, sheds, driveways, and outdoor work areas. A gate placed near a natural walking path is more likely to be used consistently, which helps keep the fence enclosure functional.
Think through gate width, swing direction, ground clearance, and the surface on both sides. Make sure a gate will not hit a slope, wall, vehicle, or nearby planting. If you expect to move a mower, wheelbarrow, or other equipment through it, confirm the opening will suit that use and discuss the hardware and placement before work begins.
Arrange Crew and Equipment Access
Identify a practical route for workers and materials to reach the installation area. Clear the driveway or access path, secure pets, and let household members know when work is scheduled. If the route crosses a lawn or garden, discuss how to limit damage and whether temporary protection is needed.
Tell your contractor about locked gates, narrow passages, steep sections, parking limits, or areas where equipment cannot travel. Confirm where materials can be unloaded and whether the crew needs access to water or power. Share any site rules or timing restrictions in advance so the installation plan reflects the actual conditions.
Before installation day, review the boundary, clear the route, finalize gate details, and confirm how the crew will reach the work area. Keep your notes and any property plans available for a final walkthrough with your contractor. If you have questions about site preparation, contact Steel City Deer Fencing to discuss your property.