If you’re considering installing a new fence for your home, it can’t hurt to hire a professional contractor, but it certainly isn’t necessary. However, either option can be good under the right circumstances. Do-it-yourself home projects have grown in popularity over the years, both because of the allure of being able to add your own personal touch and the prospect of being able to save yourself some money in the long run. Below we have laid out some comparisons between having your fence installed by a contractor and doing the job yourself.
Hiring a Contractor
Contractors will have all the tools they need to complete the work, as well as valuable past experience. They would also come equipped with a fully staffed and skilled crew, whereas with a DIY project of this magnitude, you’d most definitely have to find some friends who are willing and able to assist you.
Of course, as with hiring any professional contractor to complete a job for you, affordability can become an issue. It’s important to take into account that not only are you paying for the materials, but you’re also paying for labor. Many companies, however, may offer flexible installment plans or financing, so the cost doesn’t necessarily need to be a deal breaker.
As mentioned above, since contractors have professional experience and all equipment needed, the job will be completed faster - within one to three days. DIY depends on the amount of free time you have on your hands and friends to help. They’ll also know how to handle the finer details, such as local permits and regulations, property lines, and exactly what the right materials and tools are needed to complete the specific project. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that if you choose to go with a contractor, you’ll need to make sure that you establish an agreement that stipulates exactly what the expectations are of that contractor for the job, including what the implications will be in the unfortunate event that things go wrong. This is unlikely to happen, though, so long as you go with a reputable company with a proven track record of successful installations and years of expertise.
DIY Fence Installation
The obvious benefit of considering a DIY fence installation project is saving money by not having to pay a company for any labor costs. So, if you’re an able-bodied and hands-on person, you can certainly save a lot of money doing it yourself. And, those who have personal first-hand knowledge after completing their own fence installation will also know better how to fix or maintain the fence in the future. Another benefit is you’ll get to know your yard well (the consistency of the soil, cable wiring where you didn’t know there was before, etc.). Doing it yourself will also come with a sense of pride and satisfaction, not to mention the freedom and ability to choose exactly what you want in terms of style that is completely your own.
Additionally, some contractor companies may be limited in the types and styles of materials they can provide, so if you’re somebody with something very specific and unique in mind, a well-thought-out DIY fence installation project may be the right choice for you, with an emphasis on ‘well-thought-out’. If you do not do your due diligence by researching and planning carefully, something could go wrong along the way, resulting in you having to hire a professional contractor anyway to make repairs, costing you more money in the end.
However, as noted above, contractors will know the ins and outs of obtaining the necessary permits, exactly what kinds of materials and tools to use, as well as come with a full crew to complete the job quickly and efficiently. Doing it yourself with no prior experience will not only mean spending a great deal of your own time and hard physical labor completing the project, but you’ll also need to spend a considerable amount of time beforehand conducting research and planning before you even begin. This means you’ll have to figure out on your own the right tools and materials to use, as well as double-check property lines and look into your local regulations to ensure you obtain all proper permits. But you don’t have to be an expert and building your own DIY fence does not necessarily have to be a time-consuming and enormous undertaking, because believe it or not, you can purchase pre-made DIY fence kits that come with instructions that anybody can follow.
No Wrong Answer
Ultimately, there are pros and cons to both approaches, whether you decide to commit to a full-blown DIY fence installation project for your home or decide to hire and pay for a professional contractor to do the work for you while you sit back and relax.
Whichever path you choose should align with your own unique and personal circumstances. If you’ve got some extra time on your hands, consider yourself crafty or have prior experience, are willing to put in some hard work and have a few loyal and willing friends, doing it yourself may be the right choice for you. However, if you’re not on a tight budget and you just want the job done quickly without having to worry about permits, regulations, and the possibility of costly errors, consider hiring a reputable contractor with a team who can take care of the work for you. Some people, though, will not be deterred by any unexpected challenges along the way, because the personal touch that comes with planning for and completing a DIY project from scratch is what gives them satisfaction. However, this is not to say that you can’t get customized results by working closely and communicating with your contractor.
Either way, there is no shame in wanting or needing professional help, and either option, if well prepared for, will result in a fence you can be proud to frame your home.
