Should I Build The Fence Myself or Hire a Fence Contractor?

Putting up a fence on your property is no small investment. Most homeowners who want to save on labor costs consider installing the fence themselves. Is this a sound idea? The answer to this is both yes and no. Yes, because some property owners do have the needed skills to pull off the job. And no, because there really are some aspects to building fences that are better off left to the fence contractors. If you have some experience with carpentry, or are generally good with your hands, you just might make this a successful do-it-yourself project. Not only do you save a lot on installation costs, you also get the satisfaction of doing the job yourself. Before you roll up your sleeves and start working though, it is best to consult with a contractor on how to go about with the whole thing. One of the disadvantages of installing your own fence is that you still need some basic knowledge of fence building. First, you have the design of the fence to think about, and what fence materials are suitable for that design. You also have to devote a lot of time for this endeavor. Building your fence after working hours can be done but the continuity of the project may be affected and may lead to poor workmanship. The more challenging part is the digging of postholes that should be correctly spaced and properly leveled. Without these elements, your fence may come out crooked, badly constructed, and will not last as long as they should. This is where the experience of the fence contractor comes in. If you hire one, you won't have to worry about a thing -- from the design of the fence to the post installations to the actual putting up of the fences. You will be assured of a neatly and professionally installed fence without you lifting a finger. But then again, this arrangement may come out quite expensive.    There are also prefabricated fences that are really designed as do-it-yourself projects. Many of these types can be ordered online or from a home improvement shop, and in a matter of days, you get your fencing materials together with the complete instructions for setting them up. With the help of a friend, you can get these fences installed successfully without much trouble. However, if you have your own fence design in mind, or have the materials on hand already, getting "ready made" fences is not an option.The best way around this dilemma is to have a compromise solution – that is, hire a fence contractor for the more complicated steps, and do the rest of the work yourself. Since putting up the posts is the toughest part of installing a fence, have the experienced builders do that. You can also consult your fence contractor for all other aspects of the task which you are not quite confident with.In finding this middle ground, you get the best of both worlds: the satisfaction of putting your handyman skills into action, and a well-built, professional looking fence that allowed you to save half the price on labor costs.If you live in Wisconsin and are looking for fence companies in Milwaukee, be sure to check out the Milwaukee fence directory.