| Pros | Cons |
| Cost Savings | Time Consuming |
| Sense of Accomplishment | Physical Demand |
Complete Control | Expertise Gaps |
| Additional Tools Needed |
Thinking about installing your own fence? It’s possible, but you need to consider both the advantages and drawbacks of this approach. Plenty of our customers choose to do it themselves and order products wholesale from us to lower the overall cost of a new fence. If you feel up for the challenge, are generally handy, and have the time to put into the project, we can help you source the right materials for your job. But first, let’s consider the pros and cons of DIY fencing.
Pros of DIY Fence Installation
1. Cost Savings
Most people look to install their own fence to save on labor costs. Doing the work yourself allows you to only incur the material expenses, as long as you can endure the labor to put the fence together.
2. Sense of Accomplishment
Homeowners often get great satisfaction out of DIY projects. With completing a project as significant as a fence installation, you’ll see what you built each day for decades.
3. Complete Control
You can always control decisions related to design and material, but you can’t always control timing. In the busy fence installation season, while companies may be booked out for weeks, you can get going as soon as you have products — which we can deliver directly to your home within days.
Cons of DIY Fence Installation
1. Time Consuming
Installing a fence is a massive undertaking — particularly if you are tackling it alone. If inexperienced, it will likely take days or weeks longer than anticipated. Some are okay with chipping away at it throughout the summer, while others are replacing an existing fence or have pets and want it done as soon as possible.
2. Additional Tools Needed
While you might save on labor, if you don’t have the tools needed for the job, you’re going to end up offsetting the cost savings to some degree. Likewise, there’s a chance you won’t need these tools again, so it’s something to consider. This may include:
- Post hole digger or auger
- Crimping tool
- String line and stakes
- Wheelbarrow
- Post pounder
- Tamper
- Nail gun
- Fence stretcher
- Pipe cutter
3. Physical Demand
If you enjoy working outdoors under the sun, you will certainly get a workout from installing your fence. It can be a physically demanding project — from digging holes to moving material to countless repeated actions.
4. Expertise Gaps
You’ll likely run into a situation you didn’t foresee. That happens to experienced fence builders as well. However, if you’re inexperienced, you may not know what to do. Proper alignment, underground utilities, sprinkler systems, structural integrity, uneven terrain, local building codes, and identifying property lines can prove more troublesome than anticipated. There’s also the potential for mistakes to then fix, such as gaps between panels or incorrect measurements.
Our Thoughts on DIY Fencing
We love it — for those who are ready for it. If it makes sense for you financially, if you have the time, and if you have some relevant experience, we can help make sure you have the right materials for your installation. However, we always encourage our customers to think carefully if DIY is the right move for them. Of course, we are happy to help with installs if you get wary. Either way, we’re here to help.
