DIY Fence Installation
Let's face it, we are currently in a recession. Many homeowners around the country are trying to save money by installing their own fence. So what are the first steps?
Before we get into how to build a fence, you need to answer these questions first:
Before we get into how to build a fence, you need to answer these questions first:
- What supplies and materials do you need?
- Where do you buy the materials?
- How do you dig post holes?
- How do you remove the existing fence?
- Where do you put the existing fence?
- How to build a fence?
- How to build a fence gate?
- and more...
What supplies and materials do I need?
Depending on the type of fence you want to put up, that all depends.
Vinyl Fencing
There are varying grades of vinyl fence as well as different styles. Please refer to our page on vinyl fencing for more information.
Click here to get information on the vinyl various styles and colors available
Aluminum Fencing
There are varying grades of aluminum fencing as well as different styles available. Please refer to our page on vinyl fencing for more information.
Click here to get information on the aluminum various styles and colors available.
Chain Link Fencing
You guessed it, there are many different chain link grades, colors, and thicknesses (gauges) available. Please refer to our page on chain link fencing for more information.
Click here to get information on the chain link various styles and colors available.
Wood Fencing
There are only a few different types of wood fences, but there are definitely a ton of different designs to choose from, as well as the option of staining/painting. Please refer to our page on wood fencing for more information.
Click here to get information on the wood various styles and types available.
We left off composite and steel fencing as they are less common and are usually reserved for commercial applications or a professional installer.
Vinyl Fencing
There are varying grades of vinyl fence as well as different styles. Please refer to our page on vinyl fencing for more information.
Click here to get information on the vinyl various styles and colors available
Aluminum Fencing
There are varying grades of aluminum fencing as well as different styles available. Please refer to our page on vinyl fencing for more information.
Click here to get information on the aluminum various styles and colors available.
Chain Link Fencing
You guessed it, there are many different chain link grades, colors, and thicknesses (gauges) available. Please refer to our page on chain link fencing for more information.
Click here to get information on the chain link various styles and colors available.
Wood Fencing
There are only a few different types of wood fences, but there are definitely a ton of different designs to choose from, as well as the option of staining/painting. Please refer to our page on wood fencing for more information.
Click here to get information on the wood various styles and types available.
We left off composite and steel fencing as they are less common and are usually reserved for commercial applications or a professional installer.
Where Do You Buy the Fence Materials?
Now that you've chosen your fence materials and have weighed the pros and cons, now its time to determine where you can buy these materials. Often people are quick to think turning to your local big box store such as Menards, Home Depot, or Lowe's for those fence materials. While those options can be great, they are often lacking when looking for superior quality materials such as high quality vinyl, commercial grade chain link, composite fence material, and so on.
So...where do I buy the fence material??
From us! We sell fence material to the general public because we have access to all of the higher-end fence material you can't find at your local big box store. If you are looking to take on fence installation yourself, more power to you! We can help you in this process by providing the materials you need for the project as well as providing driveway dropoff. Sound great?
But that's not all...
To take it a step further, we can assist with running the string line, identifying property lines, and making the post holes on your behalf. Read more about those additional services below.
Commercial grade fence materials are not available to be purchased by the general public. This is due to the fact that fence material distributors require you to operate a business and register with them as a contractor. They won't sell to any person off the street, so for that reason you can use us as a go-between to get those materials you want while saving some money and installing the fence yourself.
So...where do I buy the fence material??
From us! We sell fence material to the general public because we have access to all of the higher-end fence material you can't find at your local big box store. If you are looking to take on fence installation yourself, more power to you! We can help you in this process by providing the materials you need for the project as well as providing driveway dropoff. Sound great?
But that's not all...
To take it a step further, we can assist with running the string line, identifying property lines, and making the post holes on your behalf. Read more about those additional services below.
Commercial grade fence materials are not available to be purchased by the general public. This is due to the fact that fence material distributors require you to operate a business and register with them as a contractor. They won't sell to any person off the street, so for that reason you can use us as a go-between to get those materials you want while saving some money and installing the fence yourself.
How Do You Dig Post Holes?
That can be a loaded question, and why would you want to do it yourself? A lot goes into a fence installation, and the post holes are often the most difficult part to get right. Spacing, alignment, depth, underground lines, the list goes on for the amount of things to worry about when digging post holes.
If fence post holes are dug improperly, your fence could potentially look horrible and not meet code. It could heave up due to frost, not dug deep enough for stability, could not be wide enough to meet municipal code, or even worse you could hit an underground line if you're not careful. All of these things are no bueno, and could end up costing you a lot more than if you just leave the post hole digging to us. We can dig the post holes for you, and you can do the concrete (footings), set the posts, and install the pickets and rails.
Let Us Dig Your Post Holes
We've got the heavy machinery and crews to get the job done quickly.
If fence post holes are dug improperly, your fence could potentially look horrible and not meet code. It could heave up due to frost, not dug deep enough for stability, could not be wide enough to meet municipal code, or even worse you could hit an underground line if you're not careful. All of these things are no bueno, and could end up costing you a lot more than if you just leave the post hole digging to us. We can dig the post holes for you, and you can do the concrete (footings), set the posts, and install the pickets and rails.
Let Us Dig Your Post Holes
We've got the heavy machinery and crews to get the job done quickly.
How Do You Remove the Old Existing Fence?
This can be a lot more work than most people realize. Often times, fence posts are dug so deep in the ground and they won't easily come up. If your fence is 25+ years old, you may be in luck. But we often see fences that aren't very fun to remove. We are well-versed in existing fence removal and disposal, which people usually forget about.
I've got the fence out, now what do I do with it?
Most local garbage companies won't take all that fence material. If doing it yourself, you will need to rent a dumpster or use a pickup truck to make multiple trips for disposal at a dump or waste facility. Who wants to deal with that??
Use us for both the fence removal and disposal of your existing fence.
I've got the fence out, now what do I do with it?
Most local garbage companies won't take all that fence material. If doing it yourself, you will need to rent a dumpster or use a pickup truck to make multiple trips for disposal at a dump or waste facility. Who wants to deal with that??
Use us for both the fence removal and disposal of your existing fence.
How to Build a Fence?
Now you've got your fence materials selected, your old fence removed, your post holes dug, now how do you build a fence?
There are a few schools of thought when it comes to building fences. If you have slopes in your yard, the most aesthetically pleasing is what we call "racking". That means that the fence is racked along a slope which gives it an even appearance all the way up or down along the slope itself.
Racking Versus Step Down
Stepping down involved keeping each fence panel straight even along slopes, which gives it the appearance of "steps" or stairs. Either one of these methods is used for both wood and vinyl fencing, and occasionally aluminum fencing.
Once you decide on your installation method, its time to decide on a style. Do you want picket, privacy, semi-privacy, horizontal, etc. For wood, you can do any design you please. For vinyl or aluminum, its what you get when you buy it and there's no changing it (besides cutting it down for height).
If you're building your own fence, it would be good to consult an expert or watch a fence being built. This can be achieved in person or by watching videos on YouTube. With practice, you'll get the technique down to open your own fence contracting business!
If this all sounds overwhelming to you, we recommend you hire us as the professionals to do the work. While we can make the post holes for you, run the string line, and provide the material, there's nothing like a professional fence installation with a full experience crew doing the work for you. We can finish a full yard in just 2 days. While on your own, it may take an entire week to 2 weeks to complete a full yard when its all said and done. If you have help, more power to you, but it looks a lot easier than it is.
There are a few schools of thought when it comes to building fences. If you have slopes in your yard, the most aesthetically pleasing is what we call "racking". That means that the fence is racked along a slope which gives it an even appearance all the way up or down along the slope itself.
Racking Versus Step Down
Stepping down involved keeping each fence panel straight even along slopes, which gives it the appearance of "steps" or stairs. Either one of these methods is used for both wood and vinyl fencing, and occasionally aluminum fencing.
Once you decide on your installation method, its time to decide on a style. Do you want picket, privacy, semi-privacy, horizontal, etc. For wood, you can do any design you please. For vinyl or aluminum, its what you get when you buy it and there's no changing it (besides cutting it down for height).
If you're building your own fence, it would be good to consult an expert or watch a fence being built. This can be achieved in person or by watching videos on YouTube. With practice, you'll get the technique down to open your own fence contracting business!
If this all sounds overwhelming to you, we recommend you hire us as the professionals to do the work. While we can make the post holes for you, run the string line, and provide the material, there's nothing like a professional fence installation with a full experience crew doing the work for you. We can finish a full yard in just 2 days. While on your own, it may take an entire week to 2 weeks to complete a full yard when its all said and done. If you have help, more power to you, but it looks a lot easier than it is.
How to Build a Fence Gate
So you've taken the plunge to build an entire fence on your own, but have you thought about building your own gates? It may seem easy, but there is some thought that needs to go into it. They must be sturdy and be able to last the test of time and continued use. Afterall, the gate will get the most use out of any other component in the fence. It may be the only part you will ever interact with for the longevity of your fence installation.
The fence gate must utilize a cross pattern, and cross the opposite direction of the where the latch is, or where it hangs. So the farthest center of gravity from the gate post will be where you want the slope to run perpendicular to. Once the frame is made, think about what gate latch you want on there, since there are many options which include 2 sided locks/latches and various styles and appearances from decorative to utilitarian.
If you've reached this point and the aspect of building a gate sounds out of your realm of expertise, leave it to the experts at Schaumburg Fence. We are here to build you a beautiful new fence that you can enjoy for many years to come.
The fence gate must utilize a cross pattern, and cross the opposite direction of the where the latch is, or where it hangs. So the farthest center of gravity from the gate post will be where you want the slope to run perpendicular to. Once the frame is made, think about what gate latch you want on there, since there are many options which include 2 sided locks/latches and various styles and appearances from decorative to utilitarian.
If you've reached this point and the aspect of building a gate sounds out of your realm of expertise, leave it to the experts at Schaumburg Fence. We are here to build you a beautiful new fence that you can enjoy for many years to come.
