“Yeah, DIYing a home project may be cheaper. But at what cost!?”
“How long will it take?”
“How difficult will it be?”
“What if I mess up measurements or order the wrong pieces?”
Those are all legitimate questions that homeowners need to ask before they buy. So let’s work through them. By the end of this blog, you’ll see that DIYing your fence isn’t just cheaper, but easier than you think.
How long does it take to install an aluminum fence yourself?
For the average residential project, a DIY fence installation can be done within a weekend. Our panels and gates all arrive pre-assembled. All you need to do is dig the post holes, set the post in concrete, hang the fence panel and on to the next hole. However, we’ve seen homeowners with an extra set of hands breeze through their installation in a weekend.
How difficult is it to install an aluminum fence yourself?
Your materials will arrive with clear instructions. So you don’t have to scratch your head and figure out how this weird thing fits into this thing which has to go inside this other thing… Which you have probably experienced if you’ve ever struggled to assemble furniture.
We also have a full DIY guide along with blogs and videos. However, the most difficult part of this whole operation seems to be digging the post holes and aligning everything.
Aligning Everything
Before you start digging, we recommend using wooden stakes and string to lay out your fence. Put the stakes in the ground about 1′ past each corner and connect with the string to follow your fence line.
Digging the Post Holes
Digging the post holes is probably the most physically demanding portion of the whole project. Luckily, there are some tools that make it much easier.
- A post-hole digger looks like a set of giant tongs made of two shovels. If you need to purchase this tool, purchase one that is around your height so you don’t have to bend down all day
- An auger is a heavy-duty, mechanical hole digger that looks like a giant corkscrew. They are more expensive, but most hardware stores let you rent them.
No-Dig Fence Posts
Our new no-dig aluminum fence posts make DIY installations significantly easier, faster, and more efficient. These are drivable impact posts that don’t require digging or concrete. They still take some elbow grease to hammer into the ground, but it is much less of a workout.
“What if I mess up measurements or order the wrong pieces?”
There is nothing quite as painful as realizing after delivery that you mis‑measured, forgot a gate, chose the wrong height for a pool code, or didn’t account for a steep slope.
That’s why we always recommend laying out your fence run on paper first. Double, triple check it. We also have an online layout form to help you.
However, if you are struggling with a certain aspect of your lawn, give us a call. We are more than happy to help you with your DIY fencing project.