How to Prepare Your Yard for Fence Installation in Ontario

The most important preparation steps are to confirm the proposed fence line, check your municipality’s rules, request utility locates before digging, and clear the installation route. Doing these items early gives your fence contractor better information and can help avoid preventable delays.

This checklist applies whether you are considering a wood, chain link or ornamental iron fence. Site conditions and local requirements vary, so use it as a planning guide rather than a substitute for municipal advice or a property survey.

1. Confirm the proposed fence line

Decide which area you want to enclose and whether the fence will be entirely on your property or near a shared boundary. An old fence, hedge or informal measurement is not reliable proof of the legal property line.

Review your survey or other property documents. If the boundary is uncertain, consider obtaining advice from an Ontario land surveyor before installation. Ontario’s Line Fences Act provides procedures for certain disputes about line fences; it is not a replacement for establishing the location of a property boundary.

If an existing fence is being replaced, discuss its location with the contractor rather than assuming the new fence should follow it. A fence can be old, offset from the boundary or affected by changes to the surrounding property.

2. Check municipal rules before choosing the design

Fence requirements are commonly set through municipal by-laws. Height, corner-lot sightlines, driveway visibility, location near a road or sidewalk, pool fencing and other conditions may affect the design. Ontario municipalities have authority to regulate fences and related structures through by-laws under the Municipal Act.

Contact the building, planning or by-law department for the municipality where the property is located. Ask about:

• Maximum height and permitted materials
• Setbacks from roads, sidewalks, driveways and other features
• Visibility requirements for corners and entrances
• Whether a permit, application or other approval is required
• Special rules for pool enclosures or properties with easements
• Condominium, subdivision or private-community restrictions

Fence Right’s fence installation process also recommends checking local requirements and private restrictions before installation. Do not assume that a rule in one Ontario municipality applies in another.

3. Request utility locates before excavation

Fence posts require digging. Before excavation, submit a public locate request through the Ontario Dig Authority. The service says public locates are free and required before digging. A single-address request should be planned at least five business days ahead; an advanced request for a larger area or multiple addresses may require 10 business days.

Do not start digging just because a request has been submitted. Ontario Dig Authority says excavation must wait until the notified infrastructure owners have responded and the locate package is complete. Review the markings, clearances and instructions before work begins.

Public locates may not identify privately owned services on your property. Tell the contractor about known or suspected:

• Electrical lines to a shed, garage, lighting or other outbuilding
• Irrigation and sprinkler pipes
• Invisible pet-fence wiring
• Septic components, wells and private water lines
• Drainage systems and landscape lighting

Ask the utility owner or a qualified private-locate provider how privately owned lines should be identified.

4. Make access practical for the crew

Installers need room to carry materials, dig post holes and work safely along the fence route. Before the scheduled date, move or protect:

• Outdoor furniture, toys, planters and decorations
• Firewood, tools and stored building materials
• Vehicles, trailers and recreational equipment
• Bird feeders, temporary structures and fragile items
• Branches or vegetation that obstruct the proposed route

Tell the contractor about narrow side yards, gates, steep grades, retaining walls, sheds and other access limitations. If a vehicle or equipment cannot reach part of the property, the installation plan may need to account for additional handling or a different approach.

5. Decide how landscaping will be handled

Mark trees, shrubs, gardens and other landscaping close to the fence line. Discuss whether each item will be removed, trimmed, relocated or worked around. Posts still need suitable excavation space, so plants cannot always remain untouched.

Consider future growth as well. Leaving workable clearance from a hedge or tree can make trimming, maintenance and fence inspections easier. Do not cut or remove a protected tree without checking the applicable municipal rules.

6. Confirm the fence style and gate locations

Gate placement should follow how you use the property, not just where there is currently a gap in the hedge or fence. Consider:

• A pedestrian gate for regular backyard access
• A wider gate for lawn equipment, bins or trailers
• A driveway entrance for vehicles
• Access needed for future maintenance or landscaping
• Latch position and bottom clearance if the fence is intended to contain a pet

Fence Right provides wood fencing and chain link fencing, as well as ornamental iron fencing. Ask how the selected material, height, grade and gate hardware will work together on your property.

7. Discuss soil, grade and drainage

Clay, rock, roots, wet areas and slopes can affect excavation, alignment and installation time. Before the estimate is finalized, point out areas where water collects, the ground is difficult to dig or the property changes level.

On a slope, ask whether the fence will use stepped sections or follow the grade. The appropriate layout depends on the fence style, the slope and the required bottom clearance. If drainage, a retaining wall or an easement is close to the route, raise it during the consultation rather than on installation day.

Weather can also affect scheduling. Heavy rain, saturated soil and frozen ground may make excavation or material handling more difficult. Your contractor can advise how current conditions affect the proposed start date.

8. Review the written project details

Before the work is scheduled, confirm that the estimate or contract identifies the main scope. Review:

• Fence material, height, colour or finish
• Gate locations and approximate widths
• Proposed fence line and any removal of an existing fence
• Access arrangements and site preparation
• Expected start date and estimated duration
• How unexpected rock, buried obstacles or unsuitable soil will be handled
• Payment timing and cleanup responsibilities

Fence Right says most installations are completed in a day, although unforeseen circumstances can require more time. Its installation page describes a consultation, permit and authorization checks, installation and a completion review.

9. Plan for children, pets and daily access

Post holes, tools and materials can create hazards during the work. Keep children and pets away from the installation area and decide how people will enter and leave the yard if the usual route is temporarily closed.

If the fence is for a dog, identify uneven areas and discuss the desired bottom clearance, gate latch and any areas where a gap could form. A contractor should know these requirements before posts are set.

10. Walk through the finished work

When the installation is complete, review the project with the crew lead. Check the fence line, height, gates, latches, post stability, ground transitions and cleanup. Confirm that the completed work matches the agreed design and that each access point operates as expected.

Fence Right’s installation process says the crew chief reviews the completed job with the customer and that fences come with warranties. Keep the estimate, contract and warranty information in your records, and ask the company to explain the applicable coverage for your project.

Ontario fence-installation preparation checklist

• Confirm the proposed fence line and review your property documents.
• Ask the municipality about by-laws, permits and approvals.
• Check condominium, subdivision or other private restrictions.
• Request public utility locates before excavation and wait for all responses.
• Identify private underground services, septic features and drainage.
• Clear the fence route and arrange access for people and materials.
• Discuss trees, gardens, slopes, rocks, wet areas and retaining walls.
• Choose gate locations and confirm the fence design in writing.
• Review schedule, payment, removal and cleanup arrangements.
• Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Complete a final walkthrough after installation.

What to do next

Start with the fence line, municipal requirements and utility locate timing. Then prepare a short list of access, landscaping and gate questions for the consultation. Fence Right offers a free estimate and lists service in Stayner, Wasaga Beach, Elmvale, Barrie, Midhurst, Phelpston, Anten Mills, Hillsdale, Wyevale, Collingwood, Blue Mountain and surrounding areas. Confirm service availability for your specific property when you contact the company.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a survey before installing a fence in Ontario?

Not for every project. A survey or professional boundary advice may be worthwhile when the property line is uncertain, the proposed fence is close to a boundary or neighbours disagree about its location.

How early should I request utility locates?

Plan a single-address request at least five business days before digging. Larger or multi-address work may require 10 business days. Wait until all required responses are complete and review the locate package before excavation.

Should I remove my old fence before the installer arrives?

Only if removal is included in the estimate or you have separately arranged it. Ask who will remove and dispose of the old fence, and make sure the route is clear before the scheduled installation.