Chatelaine Fence Project — Elevated Installation Over Utility Lines

01. Project Overview

Project Type	Custom Fence Installation
Location	Greenville, South Carolina
Client	HOA
Industry	Residential / Private Property
Product System	Lightweight Fence Panel System
Timeline	5 days
Budget	$$

👉 Result: Installed 87 LF of fence in just 5 days despite underground utility constraints — without damaging roots or utility lines

A residential property in Greenville required a perimeter fence installation across an area with dense infrastructure: tree roots, water lines, and sewer systems ran directly along the installation path.
The client’s priorities were:

preserving the existing landscape
avoiding damage to utilities
completing the project quickly
achieving a clean, visually level result

👉 Solution: development of an above-ground stucco architectural fencing system with a customized support structure.

02. The Challenge

Context:

Residential community with mature landscaping
Fence line ran through areas with underground utilities

Constraints:

Budget: $15,000
Timeline: 5 days
No deep drilling or excavation allowed

Risks:

Damage to tree roots
Rupture of water or sewer lines
Structural instability without a traditional foundation
Misalignment and uneven fence geometry
Project delays due to on-site errors
Limited equipment access

03. The Solution (Engineering Approach)

Structural System

Developed a raised fence installation system (above-ground installation)
Point-load distribution without pressure on critical zones

Mounting Strategy

Offset support points relative to utility lines
Anchors installed in safe zones
Adjustable mounts to compensate for elevation changes

Fabrication

Pre-fabrication of panels to exact dimensions
Modular system for fast on-site assembly

Customization

Adjusted panel heights to match site elevation
Visual alignment of the fence line
Adaptation to existing landscape conditions

System Architecture

Layer / System Logic:

Surface-mounted support system (no deep foundation)
Anchor points positioned outside utility zones
Load-bearing vertical elements (posts)
Fence panel system
Leveling and fixation

👉 Result: a stable fence system without interference with underground infrastructure

Before / After

BEFORE:

Site with installation restrictions
Standard installation not possible
Risk of damaging utilities

AFTER:

Fully installed fence (87 LF)
Landscape and all utilities preserved
Clean, straight fence line

Implementation Process

Step 1 — Site Assessment (1 day)

Analysis of root system and utility locations
Identification of safe zones

Step 2 — Engineering (1 day)

Design of an above-ground installation system
Calculation of support points

Step 3 — Fabrication (3-4 weeks)

Panel preparation
Pre-assembly of components

Step 4 — Delivery (0.5 day)

Light logistics without heavy equipment

Step 5 — Installation (5 days)

No-dig installation
Alignment and securing

04. Results (Key Metrics)

87 linear feet of fence installed
5 days total project installation
0 utility damages
0 root system damages
100% avoidance of engineering constraints
Minimal site disturbance
Risk reduction of incidents = 100%

Value Analysis (TCO)

Parameter	Traditional Installation	Chatelaine Solution
Ground Work	Extensive digging	Minimal
Risk	High	Near zero
Installation	Slower	Fast (5 days)
Damage Cost	Possible	Eliminated
Flexibility	Low	High

Client Feedback

“Due to underground utilities, we thought a fence installation would be extremely complicated. The team engineered a solution that avoided all risks and still delivered a clean, solid result in just a few days.”

— Homeowner, Greenville SC