Almost any house can benefit from having a fence in their yard, whether it’s to corral the young kids, keep pets from wandering off, or simply for protection and aesthetic. However, fences can be a bit pricey and not everyone has room in their budget for professional fencing and installation.
Enter the DIY fence installation process. While almost any fence can technically be installed on your own without the need of a professional team, some fences are easier than others to do so. Fence installation is not easy and always requires at least 2 people, but it can be done if you really want to save a couple hundred bucks. Cost depends on the material, the type of fence, and the type of installation you want to go for. Let’s talk about the easiest ones.
Northland Fence continues to service our community by finding the easiest fence to install yourself. Check out our ideas below!
What Is a No Dig Fence?
The easiest fence to install yourself is a no dig fence. A no dig fence is very self-explanatory. The traditional fence installation of digging post bases that are eventually filled with cement. No dig fences are posts built with spikes on the end that can be pushed and hammered deep into the ground to secure their base.
No dig fences are the easiest fence to install because they require very few tools and less time than traditional cement bases. In reality these are the only type of fence that we recommend people try to install themselves.
They are remarkably sturdy and have low maintenance in many different types of materials. No dig fences are also easy to remove in case you make a mistake in posting, simply haul it up and move it to a different location.
How to Install a No Dig Fence
Installation of a no dig fence is the easiest fence to install yourself. All you need is the no dig post, your own strength, and a hammer or mallet.
Simply lay out your fence plan and ensure you have enough panels. Then detach the screw from the spike and using a hammer or mallet, create the hole in your yard. After that slide the panel and secure it to the spike in the ground. That part of the installation is much easier with two people, but can still be done with one person.
Then repeat those steps around the fenced area until you have installed all the panels. It is time consuming and can be very tiring for someone who doesn’t do this for a living. However, it can be rewarding to know you did it all yourself in the end.
Types of No Dig Fences
No dig fences can come in many different materials. In reality, almost any material can be attached to a spike for no dig fences. So the choice of fence material depends on your needs and willingness to keep up fence maintenance.
In the Minnesota weather, and especially the winters, there are some materials that stand up to the inclement conditions better than others. Here’s a breakdown of the most common fencing material and how it might fare for your fencing needs.
Vinyl Fence
Vinyl fencing is a great choice for any homeowner in terms of fencing material. It allows you complete visual privacy and protection. Vinyl fencing is the lowest maintenance fencing material only requiring a quick washdown now and again.
However, installing vinyl fence is not the easiest thing in the world. It requires a few specific tools and some basic carpentry skills to prevent slip ups from happening. The hardest part is putting in the posts and ensuring they are correctly lined up. If that’s good to go, then it’s just a matter of snapping everything together and locking it in place.
The problem comes if you set up all the poles and then realize that they are in the wrong locations. If this is the case, the rails won’t snap into place and the boards will not be able to interlock and you will have to start over.
Wrought-Iron Fence
Wrought iron fences are highly demanded by homeowners who are concerned about aesthetic appeal and inner privacy. These fences are great for pet protection and keeping the kids in the yard while remaining aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, wrought iron fences are strong and as long as they are coated in a high quality powder coating or galvanizing, they can fight rust and last a lifetime.
Installing a wrought iron fence is probably one of the easier ones to do yourself. There are only really three parts that you need to worry about and the panels come pre-fabricated. It’s simply a matter of putting the posts out and then attaching the panels to them with some brackets.
Chain-Link Fence
Chain-link fences are the most budget friendly of all the manufactured materials. It is easy to mass produce and therefore have the lowest down payment. However, they are not a great option for families with kids and pets. If not produced properly, chain link fences can have sharp points that can catch paws or fingers on the metal.
But, a chain link fence is one of the easiest fencing materials to install yourself. Similar to the wrought iron fencing, chain link fences come in pre-made panels and you simply need to hook them up to the posts once they’re installed.
However what makes installing a chain link fence difficult is the special hardware needed to hook the panels up to the posts. Plus the added optional addition of a top rail can complicate things even more. If your area is not enclosed, make sure you know the difference between an end rail and the other parts of the top rail as well.
Wood Fence
Wooden fences are not the best choice for almost any fencing need. They require a lot of maintenance and are often subject to rot, mold, and pest damage. While they may give you the small town feel that you are looking for, it is not worth the money drain that wooden fences need. There are other materials that can give you this same look for cheaper and better quality.
A wooden fence is the hardest type of fence to install. Since wooden fences are not pre-made into panels, every single post needs to be installed by hand. It is time consuming and laborious. On top of that, each post needs to be cut to the height that you want since there are a limited number of different heighted wooden fence posts.
Pros and Cons Of Installing Fence Yourself
Of course as with anything in life, and especially fencing, there are many pros and cons related to self fence installation. When it comes to making a final decision these should be weighed to ensure you are doing what is best for your lifestyle.
Pros
It is less expensive. Hiring a professional fence installation company can dig into your budget quite a bit. By installing a fence yourself, this extra fee is eliminated and all you need to worry about is purchasing the material.
You have quality assurance. Sometimes professional contractors want to rush to get the job done and get the payment in hand. This can lead to some installation mistakes or aesthetic slip ups. DIY fence installation ensures you get the fence looking how you envisioned it.
The final feeling is wonderful! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of self-satisfaction you get after completing a long and grueling project. That’s exactly what installing a fence is like. It takes time and often can be a bit grimy and dirty, but after you’re done and have a beautiful fence, you can know that you did that and boast to your friends and family,
Cons
It is time consuming. One of the biggest disadvantages of DIY fence installation is the amount of time it takes to install a fence alone. Many contracting companies have teams of contractors that make the process go quickly. If you have a busy lifestyle, DIY fence installation will take a demanding amount of time away.
Amateur mistakes can happen. Installing a fence is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Without professional advice, you may be subject to making some mistakes throughout the installation process. In the end, this could cause you to spend more on fixing it and eventually even maybe hire a professional anyway.
Why It Doesn’t Hurt to Have a Fence Installed by a Professional
In the long run, most of the time it is always better to have your fence installed by a professional. Fencing installers do this job for a living and have years of experience to help them do it right the first time.
While it does require having a slightly bigger budget than only buying the fence materials, most professionals who install fences are not going to cost an arm and a leg. It is worth the extra money to give you peace of mind that your fence is safe, sturdy, and correctly installed the first time.
Northland Fence is one of the most reliable fence installation companies in Minnesota. Our hundreds of 5-star reviews on google prove we value our customer satisfaction. We will not leave you with a fence that does not meet your expectations. To get guidance on fence materials and a free quote for installation, call us at (763) 316-4881!
FAQs About Easiest Fence to Install Yourself
Do you save money installing the fence yourself?
The short answer is yes, if it is done correctly. By installing a fence yourself you will save money on installation costs and company hiring fees. However, if you install a fence incorrectly it may be more money out of your pocket to get it fixed. Additionally installing a fence yourself will take up a lot of your time, professional teams have many people that makes the process go faster.
How do you prepare your yard to install a fence?
The three steps to prepare your yard for fence installation are to identify the property line, clean up your yard including removing decorations, and mark out the locations. After these essential three steps have been completed, your yard is ready for a fence to be installed.
Do you need to get permission to install a fence?
As a general rule you do not need permission to install a fence as long as it doesn’t encroach on other property and meets the guidelines set out by city ordinances. If you are worried about this process, you can always check with your local builders to find out more about your location’s specific requirements.