Imagine that you just purchased a plot of land. You’re excited to start development and eager to define this new plot with a fence that provides both privacy and character to your property. But where do you start? How much will it cost? What materials should be used? Don’t sweat it! We've got your back.
The first thing you’ll want to do is get a more precise idea of where your property lines are located. But even if you have a metes and bounds survey, it’s not always clear where your property lines are at the onset of purchase; especially if your land is in a rural area. In any case, if you want to get off on the right foot with your new neighbors, it's best to double-check.
Assuming your property has been previously surveyed, you may be able to physically walk the perimeter in search of existing boundary markers. There are a few different type of markers, ranging from wooden stakes with an orange ribbon to land survey pins, and even 18 inch tall metal markers.
Notwithstanding erosion, these markers can usually be discovered at the corners of the property in question. However, if there aren’t any markers in sight, your next step will be to look over your property’s plat map. Drawn to scale, a plat map will provide you with the necessary measurements to determine your property lines.
To obtain your property’s plat map, you’ll want to contact your local tax appraisal district or county assessor. If you live in Travis County, for example, you can go online to the Travis Central Appraisal District’s (TCAD) website and perform a property search using your new address.
From there, you should be able to find the appropriate Property ID, which you can then take directly to TCAD to purchase a plat map for the generous price of $2.00 (pricing may vary depending on your assessor). Once you have your property’s plat map, you can start thinking about what kind of fence you want to build, your budget, as well as the materials you want to use.
Stay tuned to our blog for more helpful tips on getting started with your fencing project.
