You may be thinking that building your fence is a project you’ll never get to, but it’s not as hard as you think. There are plenty of online resources to help guide you through the process and inspire you to start this do-it-yourself project. This article will show you how to start by laying down your foundation and finding what materials would work best for your property. So go ahead—take the plunge into becoming a DIYer.
Setting a Budget
One of the first things you’ll need to do before starting this project is to set a budget. You can’t expect to go into building your fence without an idea of how much it’s going to cost. To help determine the cost, you’ll need to know what kind of materials you want and what size of the fence you want. The type of fence you want will determine the type of materials your project require. If you plan on having vines or plants climbing up your fence, then pick something that’s not too tall so the roots will have enough room to grow.
If a wooden fence is what you’re going for, then this is a perfect project for using recycled wood. You can save money this way, but be sure to choose the best pieces of wood. If you want something more sturdy, however, then you should buy new boards or pickets. These are much sturdier and will make your fence last longer.
You’ll also need to consider how many people live in your household if you plan to have a gate. If it’s just one or two people, then you won’t need that large of a gate. But suppose you have some kids and pets running around. In that case, you might want something that can close automatically and prevent them from escaping the yard.
Getting the Materials
The materials you choose for your fence will make or break it. To build the best fence, you’ll need to think about how long it will be, what sort of climate you live in, and other factors that will affect which specific type of wood is best for your project.
Once you have all your info together, go ahead and get many quotes for the materials you’ll need. There will be the cheap ones, but make sure they include shipping. If you can find free or cheap shipping from one site to another, go ahead and get it from them. This is a great way to save some money on your project—and if you’re smart about it, then you can stack the coupons for these companies and get a better deal if they’re offering any.
The materials you’ll need for this project include the following:
- Wood: Pickets and boards for your fence, posts to hold it up, and stringers (to connect all those pieces).
- Gate hardware: You’ll need gate hinges, latch/lock for the gates, and a way to connect those parts to your existing yard fences.
- Tools: Getting tools from a home improvement store can be expensive, so if you’re looking to save some money, go online and search for coupons. You might be able to get a discount that way.
- Miscellaneous equipment: Suppose you live in a larger property. You’ll need a vehicle to haul materials from point A to B without much effort on your end. You can get an electric utility vehicle to move gravel, planks, some handheld tools, and your help if you need it.
Laying the Foundation
After getting everything you need, it’s time to start laying out your foundation. Afterward, you can begin designing the fence. If you want a rustic look, build a split rail fence. For a more contemporary feel, consider going with a wooden picket fence. Or, if no other style suits your taste, stick to a regular cedar board fence. Be sure it’s within your budget and the materials are durable enough for the climate conditions of your area.
Getting Started on Your Fence
Once you have all of these, you’ll be good to start building your fence. Now it’s just a matter of picking out which design will work best on your property and getting started with what needs to happen first. Depending on your budget and what you’re looking for out of this project, you might want to consider hiring a contractor to do the heavy lifting.
Building Your Fence
When building or repairing your fence, one of the most important things to consider is how wide you want it. The wider you make it, the more stable it will be and the less likely it will fall. You can also choose how tall you want your fence to be as well as the color of it.
After choosing these factors, you’ll need to measure and calculate how much space your fence needs. Sketch what you want it to look like, and be sure to take into account the gate (if your fence has one). Afterward, go ahead and get all the materials together.
This might not be a comprehensive list, but these will help you get started on this project. Remember to keep everything within your budget, and don’t be afraid to contact a professional if necessary. Fences don’t just come up out of the blue—they take some time and effort to build, so you might as well do it yourself.
