DIY Fence vs Professional Installation: Which is Better?

Need a new fence and think you might be able to do it yourself to save some money? Even if you are handy, installing a fence can be more difficult than you think. Not only do professionals have experience with all types of problems that may crop up, but they will also have the correct equipment, materials, and knowledge to ensure that your fence will last a long time. With a professional you will save countless hours of tough labor, frustration, and potentially a lot of money in the long run!

Digging Post Holes

Digging takes an extensive amount of time, patience, and experience to know how to handle every type of soil. Even if you happen to have some tools, chances are you will not have the correct equipment to get this job done right and in a timely manner. You can rent some equipment but without years of experience, you still will have problems with tough soil, tree roots, rocks or other obstacles that can derail your efforts.

Not digging a hole deep enough can result in an insecure fence more likely to bend and possibly snap in strong winds. Digging holes too deep or unevenly can result in further issues and just look terrible. Your effort to save money will result in an expensive repair when part of your fence has been blown down. A professional fencing contractor will know how to deal with all these problems to ensure the job is done correctly.

Staggering a Fence

No yard or piece of land is completely flat and there are inevitable dips that can complicate any fence installation. Fences need to be staggered property to ensure that all changes in elevation are accounted for and dealt with properly.

A steeped configuration is used when you have panels of fencing material with each section of fence set at a different elevation where necessary. This will leave gaps underneath the fence.T

Sloped configuration uses fencing with individual boards. Each board is set individually so that it touches the ground closely following the elevation of your yard. This technique will not leave any gaps underneath the fence. While this type of installation is very labor intensive, it needs precision and expert professional experience to make sure that the fence boards look even along the top of the fence.

Land Surveying

A land survey is all-important to ensure you do not have a property dispute with your neighbor when installing a new fence. A professional contract will require that you have a land survey done to ensure you avoid any costly property line disputes. It will also save you the time and money needed to move your new fence to the correct location!

Purchasing Quality Materials

There are thousands of types of fencing material out there and only those with years of experience can truly tell which ones are cheaply made and which ones will stand the test of time. In Florida, this is especially true as only a seasoned fencing professional will be able to tell you which materials will stand up better to Florida’s diverse weather conditions including extreme heat, salt air, and wind.

Without this experience you could end up buying cheap material that will break down prematurely causing you more money in repairs or reinstallation. A fencing contractor has experience with all the manufacturers of fence panels and hardware, and make the correct recommendation for your particular situation.

Returning Unneeded Materials

If you do not have years of experience in fencing installation experience, you have a very good chance of buying too much or too little fencing material. You may end up trying to get more only to find that it is out of stock or discontinued. You may purchase too much and are unable to return it.

With a professional contractor, you can be assured that you will only pay for the correct amount of fencing needed to ensure the job is done right. If there are any extras, your fencing professional will take it away and you will not be charged for it.

Increasing your property value

A professionally installed fence that looks great, offers sufficient privacy, and gives more security to your home will likely cause the value and interest in your property to increase. On the other hand, a poorly installed fence can take away from your home’s overall look and decrease its value.

An expert fencing contractor will conduct a thorough and quality installation, helping you resell your property at its maximum value when the time comes.

Summary

While it may be possible to install a fence yourself, hiring a professional is the safest and possibly most cost effective way in the long run. You will save the time and frustration of trying to dig fencing holes through tough soil, keeping the fence even, and ensuring it will look its best while lasting as long as possible.

Please contact us at Advanced Fence N More. We are licensed and insured and offer years of experience installing vinyl, wood, aluminum, and chain link fencing in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County in Florida.