Proper yard preparation can reduce installation delays, improve drilling access, and help prevent layout problems before fence work begins. Clearing obstacles, confirming property lines, and identifying underground elements all help crews work more efficiently and reduce the risk of avoidable issues during installation. Blocked access, hidden private wires, and overgrown hedges can slow down the drilling process significantly.
To ensure a smooth, safe, and stress-free project, we have created this expert homeowner’s checklist. Here is exactly how to prepare your South Shore yard before the Duratech trucks arrive.
1. Clear the Access Path & Work Zone
Our installers need enough space to carry posts, mesh, and drilling equipment safely along the fence line.
- Clear Access Path: Please clear a work corridor of about 3 to 6 feet where possible along the planned fence line.
- Move Movable Objects: Relocate patio furniture, BBQs, children’s toys, potted plants, and garden hoses well away from the perimeter.
- Unlock Gates: If backyard access is needed through a side gate, please keep it unlocked and clear the path of bicycles, bins, or other obstacles.
2. Trim Landscaping & Expose the Ground
Overgrown landscaping is a major obstacle for a straight fence. Branches, thick bushes, and tall grass can block layout visibility, making it harder to run a straight string line and see the true slope of the ground.
- Trim Back Hedges: Cut back any branches, vines, or bushes that overlap the property line or the planned fence route.
- Expose the Grade for Pets: If you have a dog, Duratech’s specialty is custom-contouring the bottom of the Frost fence to the ground so your pet cannot escape. We can only do this if the ground profile is clearly visible. Please weed or trim tall grass along the fence line.
- Protect Delicate Gardens: If you have fresh sod or prized flower beds near the work zone, flag them clearly so our crew knows to be extra cautious.
3. Identify Private Underground Lines
While Duratech handles public utility locate requests through Info-Excavation for the project (Hydro-Québec, Énergir, Bell), Info-Ex does not locate private lines.
It is the homeowner’s strict responsibility to identify and mark any underground utilities that were installed privately. Before we drill to the required depth for your fence posts, you should clearly identify and mark any private underground utilities:
- Electrical wires running to a pool heater, shed, or detached garage.
- Underground sprinkler/irrigation pipes.
- Invisible dog fence wires.
- Propane lines for outdoor kitchens.
- French drains or septic field perimeters.
4. Confirm Property Lines and Permits
Never rely on an old fence line or hedges as proof of the legal boundary.
- Certificate of Location: Always refer to your official Certificate of Location (provided when you bought the home). If you are building exactly on the property line, it is highly recommended to discuss the layout with your neighbor in advance to avoid disputes.
- Municipal Permits: Many municipalities in Montérégie have different rules regarding setbacks, front-yard heights, and corner-lot visibility. Ensure you have your city permit approved before installation day.
- Pool Compliance: If we are installing a pool enclosure, ensure the layout meets the Quebec pool safety regulations before the September 2027 deadline.
What Needs to Be Confirmed Before Work Begins
| Item | Why it matters | Who handles it |
| Public utility locates | Prevents damage to buried public infrastructure | Duratech |
| Private underground lines | Helps avoid hidden wires, irrigation, or drainage systems | Homeowner |
| Municipal fence permit | Confirms the project meets local by-laws | Homeowner |
| Property lines | Prevents boundary disputes and layout mistakes | Homeowner |
| Clear access path | Allows safe movement of tools and materials | Homeowner |
| Gate placement | Helps confirm the final fence layout | Duratech with homeowner |
If anything is uncertain, it should be reviewed before drilling begins.
5. Setting Expectations: The Installation Timeline
Understanding how Duratech builds a fence in Quebec will save you from unnecessary worry during the process.
- Day 1 (Drilling & Posts): The crew will arrive, confirm the layout with you, drill deep below the frost line, set the steel posts, and pour the concrete footings.
- Duratech installation standard: It is normal to see bare posts after Day 1. To survive Quebec’s violent frost heave, the concrete must achieve maximum strength. We enforce a strict 14-day concrete cure before stretching the wire mesh. If the fence is tensioned too early, the posts may shift before the concrete has fully cured.
- Completion: Post curing and final mesh tension are separate steps. The posts must fully set first, and only then can the mesh be stretched to avoid long-term movement or misalignment. After the curing period, the crew returns to stretch the mesh, install the privacy slats, and hang the custom gates.
Drilling deep below the frost line and allowing sufficient curing time before stretching the fence can help reduce the risk of post movement, sagging, and premature alignment problems in Quebec’s climate.
2 Real South Shore Installation Cases
Case 1: The Hidden Pool Wire in Chambly
A homeowner wanted a black Frost fence installed around their new pool. Before installation day, they carefully flagged the underground electrical wire running from their house to the pool’s heat pump, which was not marked by Info-Excavation. Because of their excellent preparation, our drilling crew was able to shift one post by 12 inches, completely avoiding a dangerous strike and a costly electrical repair.
Case 2: The Multi-Unit Cleanup in Marieville
A property manager hired us to replace a massive perimeter fence. The challenge was tenant clutter – parked cars, BBQs, and toys blocking the entire fence line. By using this exact preparation checklist, the manager gave tenants 48 hours to clear a 5-foot buffer zone. When the Duratech crew arrived, the path was completely clear, allowing us to drill the entire perimeter in record time with zero damage to tenant property.
FAQ
Do I need to remove my old fence myself?
Not necessarily. Duratech offers old fence dismantling and disposal as part of our quoted services, but this must be discussed and priced during your initial on-site consultation so we can schedule the extra labor and truck space.
How much space should I clear?
Ideally, clear 3 to 6 feet along the fence line. This provides room for drilling equipment, material handling, and crew movement.
Should I be home during installation?
We highly recommend being home for the first hour of Day 1. This allows our foreman to walk the property line with you, confirm the exact gate placements, and review the location of your private underground wires. Once drilling begins, you do not need to be present.
What should I do with my dog on installation day?
For the safety of your pets and our crew, all dogs must be kept indoors or securely leashed in a separate area of the yard while heavy machinery and wet concrete are present.
What if my yard is uneven?
Uneven ground is common. Expose the grade clearly so the installer can plan the fence line and contour the bottom to reduce gaps.
Can installation happen in the winter?
Winter installation is generally not recommended in Quebec because frozen ground makes deep drilling difficult and concrete curing less reliable. Duratech’s installation season runs from the spring thaw (typically late April) through late November.
Do I need to move my sprinkler system before fence installation?
Yes, if your sprinkler lines run near the planned fence posts or along the drill path, they should be clearly marked before installation begins. If the system is in the way, it may need to be adjusted or moved to avoid damage during digging.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only. Duratech is not responsible for property line disputes; homeowners must verify their boundaries using a certified land surveyor or a Certificate of Location. Obtaining municipal fence permits and identifying private underground utilities remains the sole responsibility of the homeowner. Please verify all local by-laws before installation begins.
Ready for a Flawless Fence Installation?
Free On-Site Consultation: Les Clôtures Duratech
Proper preparation guarantees a beautiful result. If you are ready to secure your property with a fence built to survive Quebec winters, Les Clôtures Duratech is ready to help. We evaluate site conditions, access points, and terrain slopes upfront so there are zero surprises on installation day.
- Phone: (438) 830-3436
- Email: lescloturesduratech@gmail.com
Contact us today to schedule your free on-site evaluation!
