When to Install a Fence on Your New Build Home.
Building a new home is exciting — but figuring out when to install your fence can be confusing. Between grading, sod, and HOA approvals, it’s easy to wonder when the right time really is.
At Compass Fence Co, we work with hundreds of Minnesota homeowners every year, and here’s what we’ve learned about the best time to install your fence for lasting results.
1️⃣ Wait Until Your Yard Has Been Sodded or Seeded
Your fence should go in after your yard has been fully graded and sodded (or seeded).
This ensures your soil and grade have settled properly so your fence stays level and follows the natural slope of your yard. We recommend installing 3 weeks post sod installation.
Installing too early — before sod — can lead to uneven gaps later as the ground settles. Once the sod is in and the yard has had a little time to settle, your fence will align cleanly with the finished grade.
2️⃣ Make Sure Final Grading Is Complete
Before sod is laid, builders typically finish what’s called the final grade. That’s the last step in shaping the land so water drains properly away from your home.
If your builder says grading isn’t finalized, hold off on fencing until it’s done. Once sod is installed over a completed grade, that’s your sign the yard is ready for a fence.
3️⃣ Get HOA and City Approval Early
In most new neighborhoods, the Homeowners Association (HOA) and your city will have fencing rules.
These often cover:
Height limits (usually 6 ft max)
Approved styles and materials
Placement along property lines
Compass Fence Co provides everything you’ll need to make approval easy:
Style and material details
Contractor license and contact info for your permit
Since HOA and city approvals can take time, it’s best to start this process as soon as you move in — even before your sod goes in.
4️⃣ Best Installation Season: March through December
In Minnesota, our installation season runs March through December — as long as the ground isn’t frozen.
Spring through late fall is ideal for driven-post fencing because:
The soil is workable, allowing posts to drive deep and straight.
Weather is stable enough to ensure clean installs.
You can enjoy your new fence for the majority of the year.
We continue working well into December, weather permitting, to help homeowners close out their new builds before winter.
5️⃣ Plan Early for New Developments
If you’ve moved into a new neighborhood like Amber Fields in Rosemount, Sundance Woods in Dayton, or Spirit of Brandtjen in Lakeville, chances are your neighbors are planning fences too.
Booking early helps:
Coordinate layouts along shared property lines
Streamline HOA approvals
Save on materials and scheduling with group installs
Our team works directly with builders and HOAs in these developments, so the process stays smooth and stress-free.
🌟 Why Driven Posts Make All the Difference
At Compass Fence Co, our fence posts are driven 4 feet deep into the ground, not set in concrete.
Driven posts hold strong through Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycles and resist frost heave — meaning your fence will stay straight for years.
It’s also a faster, cleaner process that doesn’t disturb your new sod or landscaping.
🔧 Ready to Fence Your New Home?
Whether you’re moving into a new home in Rosemount, settling in Lakeville, or closing on a property in Dayton, Compass Fence Co makes fencing simple:
✅ No money down – payment due upon completion
✅ Financing available
✅ HOA and permit assistance included
✅ Family-owned, local, and trusted across the Twin Cities
Contact us today to schedule your free quote and fence layout:
📞 612-310-4279
🌐 CompassFenceCo.com
📍 Serving Rosemount, Lakeville, Dayton, Maple Grove, Otsego, and the entire Twin Cities metro.
