MMC Blog

People value fences for all sorts of reasons. They enhance your privacy. They provide a safety barrier for children and pets. They can clearly delineate your property lines. They may improve your curb appeal. Because these benefits have a wide appeal, you might wonder if installing a fence on your property could increase its value. Does a fence add value to a home? Scroll down to find out.

Does a Fence Add Value to a Home?

When you spend a significant amount of money improving your property, you obviously hope that that investment will pay off when you someday sell your house. So, does a fence add value to a home?

Typically, yes. In most cases, a fence will increase the value of your home by a fraction of the price of the fencing. However, a new fence doesn’t come with a guarantee that you’ll receive a solid return on your investment. In addition, it’s important to keep in mind that the value will depend on numerous factors: the quality of the fence, the material, the style, how well it’s maintained, what local buyers want in a property, your area’s climate, your neighborhood, the location of the fence, etc.

In addition, keep in mind that because adding a fence to your property can increase its value, it can also cause your corresponding property taxes to increase. So before you purchase a new fence, we encourage you to run the numbers and figure out the likely rise in your tax bill.

Choosing a Fence with ROI in Mind

So if you’re interested in adding a fence to your property and you want to increase the likelihood that you get a good return on your investment (ROI), what should you look for? Also, what steps should you take before and after the installation? Review the following tips:

• Purchase high-quality fencing. Above all, make sure that you’re investing in a high-quality, durable fencing product that is aesthetically pleasing and will appeal to most people. Choose a fence from a respected manufacturer that you know you can trust.
• Check the property lines. Make sure that the fence is installed on your property, not your neighbor’s. To do this, you can use your property’s plat, which is a map of the plot of land and its boundaries. If you don’t have the plat, request it from your county assessor’s office or contact a land surveyor. Keep in mind that if your fence isn’t installed in the right place, you may confront big issues when you try to sell the property.
• Avoid utility lines. In addition, when planning where your fence will be stationed, make sure that you build around any important utility lines in your yard, such as a cable line, gas line, electricity line, water line, etc. Ask your utility company to come out and inspect your property to ensure that your plan is sensible.
• Maintain the fence. A poorly maintained fence won’t do you any favors. Be sure that you regularly clean your fence, check it for damage, and complete any other necessary maintenance tasks. This will vary immensely based on the fencing material you choose. For example, wood will require far more maintenance than vinyl or aluminum.

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With a little research, you can find a fence that increases the value of your home and also improves your day-to-day life for the remainder of your time living in the home.

When you need an expert who can help you select a fence, MMC Fencing & Railing is here for you. In our online shop, we sell aluminum and vinyl railing in a variety of styles and colors. So no matter what you’re looking for and no matter how large or small your budget, you’re sure to find something beautiful. Give us a call at 866-931-5002 to get started or to ask about installation options. We look forward to hearing from you!