After a while, you may look at your property and decide that you want to add a fence. But you will want to consider whether to do it yourself or hire a professional. There is no right or wrong answer; it will just come down to your wants and needs. Learning the pros and cons of both options can help you decide which option will be best for you.
Factors to Consider When Deciding
When deciding between your two options, here are a few key considerations.
Time
How much time do you have? If you want to go the DIY route, how much free time do you have to work on this project? Is this going to be a weekend project? Or is it something that may take you a while? You may also want to consider if there is a time frame by which you need it done. Knowing this will help you decide which route you want to take.
Price
What is your budget? If you have a limited budget, it may be best to do it yourself to save money on labor costs. If you have a higher budget, you may want to get it done by a professional to save you time.
Skill
Where are your skill levels? Some people may think that building a fence is easy, but it is a lot harder than you would think. Not having prior experience can make the process a lot longer and more complex. A professional will be able to get it done efficiently since they are experienced in this specific field.
Long-Term Maintenance
What will the quality of the work be like? If you decide to build a fence yourself, you might experience more wear and tear due to incorrect installation. If it is not your first time, you may not experience this. With a professional installation, you can expect a high-quality end product with minimal maintenance. Either way, fence maintenance is important to ensure that your fence will last for a long time. To learn more about fence maintenance, check out our blog “How to Keep Your Fence in the Best Shape”.
Design
There are different designs when it comes to fences: privacy, picket, lattice, and ornamental, to name a few. Each design is unique. Whether you decide to build it yourself or hire a professional, it is important to know what you want it to look like. Are you going to be able to recreate that on your own? Or is this something that may be beyond your expertise?
DIY vs Professional Installations
If you’re still unsure which route you want to take, here are a few pros and cons for both DIY and professional installations.
DIY
Pros
- On your own time – You can complete this project whenever you have time without worrying about a time crunch or getting progress statuses to someone immediately.
- Costs – Building a fence on your own lets you save money on labor costs. When doing it yourself you can expect to pay $1-$15 per liner foot.
- Customization – If you decide halfway through that you no longer like the layout you have and want to change it, you can. You do not have a team to report to, making it easy to make any changes you want along the way.
Cons
- Labor – If you choose to build a fence, you most likely will not have a team to help you, meaning that the project will not be done until you complete it. There is no time to relax unless you are okay with half a fence for a few weeks.
- Time – Chances are, you will be building this fence during your free time. With work, kids, or school, you might not have much free time, making it a challenge to find the time to work on this project.
- Experience – Unfortunately, you won’t wake up one morning and suddenly have 20+ years of fence-building experience like we do at Rugged Fence. Because of this, it may take you longer to execute your project. Although there are videos, blogs, and more information on how to build a fence, they may not be enough to create the desired outcome.
Professional
Pros
- Time – When you get your fence built by a professional, you will not have to worry about extensive research, sourcing quality materials, and doing the work. You can sit back and watch the magic happen.
- Peace of Mind – Getting a professional to build your fence can give you peace of mind, knowing you will get a quality product.
- Durability – A quality product is going to have more durability. If you choose a budget friendly option, you may experience that the product will deteriorate sooner than expected.
Cons
- Cost – A professional fence installation is more expensive than doing it yourself. On average, it will cost about $10-$30 per liner foot.
- Scheduling – Finding time to schedule your installation can be tricky. During a busy period, the company may have time constraints, limiting the days you can choose from.
- Communication Issues – Unlike doing it yourself, getting your fence professionally installed means you will most likely have a team there. This means there is a chance that you will have to go through multiple people to get a question answered or to put in a request for the project.
Next Steps
No matter what route you choose, it is important to know which one will work best for you. If you decide to go through the DIY route, make sure to do all your research beforehand to ensure you have the right tools and materials. If you choose to go through the professional route, make sure to research different companies and find one you can trust.
Rugged Fence is a great option if you are in the Northern Virginia or Shenandoah Valley area. We offer an array of fence styles to choose from and are highly knowledgeable about each one. As a licensed, bonded, and insured class A contractor, we can guarantee that you will love the work that we do. If you are ready to get your fence professionally installed, call us today!
