Most fence problems we get called out to fix aren't about materials or workmanship — they're about something that should have been checked before the job started. A little homework up front saves real money and a lot of frustration.
Start with the property line. This is the single most common issue we see. Assuming the old fence, the tree line, or the neighbor's hedge marks your boundary is risky, and a fence built even a foot over the line can mean tearing it out. If there's any doubt, a survey is cheap compared to rebuilding. We always walk and mark the line with the homeowner before we dig.
Check your HOA next. Many Charleston-area neighborhoods — especially in Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, Summerville, and the newer Nexton developments — have written standards covering fence height, material, color, and style. Some require ornamental aluminum only. Some prohibit fencing in front-yard setbacks entirely. Approval can take a few weeks, so start that paperwork before you schedule the install, not after.
Then look at local permitting. Requirements vary between the City of Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and the unincorporated parts of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties. Height limits are typically lower in front yards than in back, and corner lots often have extra sight-line rules so a fence doesn't block visibility at an intersection. Pool fencing has its own safety code with self-closing, self-latching gate requirements.
Finally, settle the 'good side out' question. The convention — and often the HOA requirement — is that the finished side of the fence faces your neighbor and the street, with posts and rails facing in. If that bothers you, a shadowbox or board-on-board design looks the same from both sides and sidesteps the whole conversation.
We handle these questions on every job and build to whatever specs your neighborhood requires. Call Walter Handyman LLC at (941) 323-8919 and we'll walk you through it before anything gets built.