How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Fence

Is It More Cost-Effective to Replace a Fence Yourself?

Have you been wanting a nice fence for your property, but you weren’t sure if it’d fit your budget? Maybe you had a fence already but some bad weather left it damaged. Accidents happen, too, so maybe a rock went through the lawn mower just right or the kids climbed over it one too many times. Either way, you’re staring at your yard and wondering, “Can I afford this?”

As someone with 15 years of experience in the world of fencing, one of the questions I hear most often is, “How do I get more bang for my buck?”. Even though I work in fencing myself, I believe in making sure people have all of the facts so they can decide whether they want to repair a fence themselves or hire someone else to do it.

If anyone knows that fencing is expensive, it’s our team. I’ve seen the numbers, and my goal when working with our customers is always to help them get the best deal while still getting the highest quality product.

So let’s talk a little bit about fencing replacement costs and the things to consider if you want to replace a fence yourself.

How Do You Know If You’re Getting a Good Deal on Fencing?

The fencing market is no exception to the ebb and flow of prices on goods and materials. Depending on the type of fence you’re looking to repair or replace, different stores will have different prices, too.

For most average consumers, you might think to check stores like Lowes, Home Depot, or Menards for fencing materials. These facilities will usually have what you need and might also have the tools you need for the job, too.

When you’re looking for repair or replacement materials, it’s important to find something that will match your current fencing, or at least compliment it. Additionally, make sure you check out reviews to ensure that the materials you buy are high quality and won’t immediately buckle, causing you to need to buy more sooner.

Generally speaking, materials like vinyl are going to last longer than wood, and a coated chainlink fence will last longer than one that isn’t coated. Of course, if you’re only replacing a portion of your fencing, you won’t want to have a different material in that portion just because it’s better for the long haul.

Should You DIY a Fence Replacement? (Pros and Cons)

In general, it seems like there’s a certain sect of people (myself included) that look at a project or product and think, “Why should I buy that when I could make that/do that myself?” The world of fencing is no exception to this, and I totally get it.

Not only can budget be a big factor, but if you do a project yourself you might feel like it’ll be better quality, or that you’ll be able to get it done exactly how you want without worrying about installers messing something up.

There are many pros and cons to consider, however, when it comes to fencing. Whether you’re just trying to replace a portion, or you want to install the whole thing yourself, here are some things you can keep in mind.

The Cost

Pro: You don’t have to pay for labor.

If you decide to undertake a fencing project yourself, you don’t have to worry about paying for the labor costs of an installation company. This can reduce your overall price point a decent amount, depending on the complexity of the fencing.

Con: You spend a lot of your own time on the project, and you might have to spend additional money on tools you don’t have.

The average homeowner does not have every tool needed to properly install a fence on their own. While some might, especially if you were perhaps the one to install it and are just looking to repair it now, this additional cost should be considered when choosing whether to do it yourself or not. Additionally, a team of experienced professionals will get a fencing job done quicker and more efficiently, which saves you time, too, on both the installation and the material buying process.

The Materials

Pro: You can make sure you get the exact fencing style you want.

Not every fencing company carries 100 styles of fencing. If you have a specific vision in mind, you won’t have to play by a company’s stock restrictions. You can take the time to shop around until you find the specific material you want for your fence.

Con: You won’t be able to find the cheapest price for the best material.

The perks of going through a fencing company are having access to industry secrets and connections. A good fencing company knows where to get cheap yet high-quality materials in order to save both them and you money on the fence installation without skimping out on longevity and aesthetics.

The Time

Pro: You can install your fence at your pace, any time of year.

Not all fencing companies work year-round, so by installing your fence or repairing it yourself, you don’t have to worry about their time constraints.

Con: You’re taking away time from other, more important things you could be doing.

Choosing a high-quality fencing company to install your fence for you saves you time in so many places. Not only does it save you the time it would take to gather up and purchase any supplies you need, but an installation crew will get the job done faster than you could due to experience and manpower. So not only does it save you from having to spend your time on the fence, but the job will get done faster, too.

What You Need to Consider at the End of the Day

Ultimately, it’s always up to you if you want to install a fence yourself or not, but there are some points you should consider when you’re making your decision, beyond your immediate budget.

• How much time are you willing to spend on this project?
• Is a slightly higher price point worth a longer-standing fence?
• Do you have the tools you need to properly accomplish your task, or will you need to buy those, too?
• Is this how you want to be spending your time?

Most fencing companies offer warranties. Some do just a warranty on materials, while others (like Northland) offer warranties on both materials and labor. This means that they trust that the job will be done right, so much so that if you have a problem you might be able to get the whole thing replaced or fixed for free.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many companies have financing options, or are willing to work with you to determine your options within a budget. While labor does add to the cost, most fencing companies can get your materials cheaper through their connections. Northland likes to take those savings we make and transfer them directly toward your end bill, so you can save money, too.

Hopefully, this helped you figure out what to do with your fencing project, or maybe this gave you the itch to start one in the first place. Either way, best of luck to you!