DIY vs. Professional Fence Installation: Is Building Your Own Fence Really Worth the Effort?

Building a fence for your own back yard might not seem like it’s going to be too much trouble when you begin planning, but you might find your opinion changes once the job gets underway. The main reason you’re probably considering building your own fence is to save money, but is the amount of effort you’ll have to put in really worth the savings? That said, there’s really nothing wrong with calling in a professional fence installation expert. Here at Legend Fence Corp, we think people should give it a try if they want, but consider the following points first.

What does it take to build a fence?

When it comes to building your own fence, it will require you to have several different skills, including carpentry, and you’ll also need a reasonable level of math to work out areas and coverage. Many people who start out on a DIY project also underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete the job, including any possible delays that might also push the budget up.

The most important thing you’ll need to consider is the amount of labor involved in the job. And take it from us, installing a fence requires much more labor than you’d think. First, there’s cutting and working all of the individual pieces (once you’ve worked out how big the fence needs to be of course), and then there’s the digging and installation, which is arguably the longest part. Finally, you need to paint or treat the fence, and this can take longer than expected.

Of course, if you have plenty of free time, and some friends at your disposal, this won’t be too much of an issue, but many people underestimate how much work it actually takes to build a fence. Sure, it does mean you’ll save some money, but offset this against what you could be using the same time for in other projects around the home.

Why might you want a DIY fence?

The main reason people might want to build a fence themselves is to give their space a personal touch. It can be very satisfying to look out over your yard knowing that you built the fence that surrounds it yourself, from scratch. It also means you can build the fence exactly how you want to, but that said, this is something that professional fence installation experts can do for you too.

Also, some people do enjoy the challenge of a DIY project, regardless of whether it’ll save them money. But these people tend to already have a reasonably good skill set when it comes to projects, and so probably won’t find it all that hard. If you like the idea of getting down and dirty, and look forward to the satisfaction you’ll get from completing the project, then building your own fence is probably for you.

The other main reason is that people think it can be a way of saving money. After all, you don’t have to pay for labor right? It’ll simply be a case of buying the materials, and equipment if needed, and then getting stuck in. However, savings aren’t always as significant as you’d expect, more than anything because professionals tend to have agreements with suppliers to get their materials at a much lower price. This is then offset against the price charged to the customer, meaning you might not save as much as you think.

There’s no harm in employing a professional fence installation company

Here at Legend Fence Corp, we’re all for people getting stuck into their own DIY projects, but we also know that sometimes it’s just easier to employ a professional to do the job. It might cost slightly more money, but because we’re experts in our field, we can deal with any problems quickly and easily as soon as they arise.

For example, when installing your fence, you might run into unexpected problems, such as ground issues or hidden underground cables. For someone doing a DIY project, this would be quite a significant setback, and would probably require research or a second opinion to overcome. However, we’ve had plenty of experience dealing with these issues, and would move past them quickly.

The other benefit of hiring a professional fence installation company is that you know the work will be completed to a high standard. Most companies should have examples of previous jobs that you can look over before hiring them, and it’s usually not difficult to find customer reviews online either. Sure, the idea of building your own fence might be tempting, but if you want something done to the highest standard, it’s probably worth hiring a professional.

Then, probably most obviously, there’s the fact that a professional company will already have all the equipment and resources at their disposal to get the job done. This is probably one of the biggest advantages for the customer, because it saves them having to go out and either rent or buy the necessary equipment to get the job done. A fence installation expert can arrive at your house, get the job done, and leave behind nothing more than an amazing looking fence.

Finally, you get the benefit of years of experience in the industry. A fence installation company will work with your exact specifications and needs, and consider things such as ground type, purpose, budget, and resources, to come up with a project that both looks nice and suits your needs. If you build a fence yourself, you’re having to rely on what you know, or can teach yourself. With a professional, you can put your trust in their knowledge.

Conclusion

Building your own fence might sound like an exciting DIY project, and for some people it will be. However, think carefully if you’re only doing it to save money, and compare this to the time and effort it’ll take. After all, there’s nothing wrong with hiring a professional to do an amazing job. If you like the idea of getting stuck in with building a fence, then go ahead, but if not, Legend Fence Corp is here to help. Contact us today for more information about our fence installation services.

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Protecting a Wood Fence From Sun and Rain

Wooden fences are one of the least expensive ways of bordering your property, although they do require more maintenance than a metal or vinyl fence. While San Diego weather is usually warm and dry, the addition of rain does have a big impact on the lifespan of a wooden fence. If a wooden fence isn’t cared for properly, it can deteriorate in a matter of years. Here at Legend Fence Corp, we know how important it is to keep a wooden fence looking pristine, so we’ve written this guide to help you protect your wooden fence from San Diego sun and rain.

What paint to use when protecting a fence

The best method of protecting a fence from both rain and sun is to use preserving paint or stain. Many of these products are designed specifically for wooden fences, and there are different products for different jobs. Many standard fence paints will protect from rain, but if you want one that also prevents the aging effects of sunlight, choose one with UV blocker as an ingredient. These will likely be more expensive, but it’s money saved when you compare it to the price of replacing a fence.

It’s also worth using a primer on the fence before painting on the first layer of paint or stain. Not only will primer help the paint adhere better to the fence, but it’ll also stop chemicals from the fence bleeding through, which can cause paint to blister. This would eventually reduce the effectiveness of the paint, causing the fence to rot.

A good alternative to standard paint is acrylic latex paint. It provides a completely waterproof barrier, and blocks UV radiation from sunlight, which is easily one of the biggest causes of weathering in San Diego. Acrylic latex paint is also flexible, which means it can expand and contract along with the wood during temperature changes. This is something that San Diego residents should be conscious of, considering the temperature can rocket at certain times of the year.

How to protect a fence

So once you’ve found the right kind of paint to suit your needs, the next step is to apply it to the fence. Before starting, clean the fence with a stiff brush to remove any caked on dirt or debris. You want to get the fence as clean as possible before starting because this will allow the paint to stick better.

  •  Trim back any plants that are in contact with the fence, or if you don’t want to cut them, at least tie them back so they’re out of the way.
  • Place down dustsheets or tarp if your fence sits on a hard surface, such as asphalt or concrete. This isn’t necessary if your fence is on soil, although you might still want to lay something down.
  • If the fence is particularly dirty, clean with a pressure washer, or a rough brush and water. If your fence isn’t dirty, it might not be necessary to wash it.
  • If you decide to wash your wooden fence, or it’s recently rained, give it 48 hours to dry before painting. This will allow enough moisture to evaporate, which could damage the paint otherwise.
  • At this point, look out for any damaged sections that need repairing or replacing. It’s best to do this now while everything is clean and before you start painting.
  • Next, apply the primer if you’re using one. If not, start with the stain or paint.
  • Working in thin layers, paint the whole fence from end to end. Wait a day or so for the stain to dry before applying another layer. Most manufacturers will recommend several layers, and the more you apply, the better protection you’ll have.
  • Once you’ve finished staining, allow the whole fence to dry before picking up tarps. Reapply stain every couple of years, or more frequently if your area experiences weather changes.

General tips

Although the weather in San Diego is generally very nice, sun can be as damaging as rain, if not more so. Sun causes the wood to expand and potentially crack, which then lets in moisture when it does rain. It’s important to find a stain with UV protection, and this should be your main objective when preserving your wooden fence in San Diego.

If your fence hasn’t been painted in several years, and the wood is very cracked and warped, then repainting might not be enough. Decide whether the fence is still good enough to be worth repainting, or whether simply replacing it would be easier. It might be a more expensive job, but it’ll need to be done at some point.

Preparing your wooden fence for painting is one of the most important steps, and shouldn’t be rushed. It’s important to remove as much debris as possible because it’ll stop you from getting a good finish. And considering the whole point of painting the fence is to seal it, you don’t want to do the job only for it to not work.

Buy good quality painting supplies, specifically a good brush. Painting on a rough surface (such as a fence) is hard on a paintbrush, and poor quality ones will fall apart in no time at all. You might not want to spend loads on a paintbrush, but one brush that lasts for years is much better than several bad ones that fall apart quickly. This point also extends to the stain you use, for pretty much the same reasons.

Conclusion

Protecting a wooden fence from rain and sun is a long and sometimes difficult job, but it needs to be done to keep the fence in good order. If you find your fence needs repairs, Legend Fence Corp is always on hand to assist you with this. Or if the repairs are too great, our staff are more than happy to discuss replacement, and will provide estimates using our years of experience in the business. Contact us now for more information, or to book your estimate.

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How To Attach Barbed Wire To Posts

Barbed wire is a cheap and effective solution for keeping your property safe. It’s very easy to buy and install, and can be the ultimate deterrent for trespassers and thieves. Legend Fence Corp is happy to assist with San Diego barbed wire fence installation; we’ve put together this handy guide on how to attach barbed wire to posts.

Things to consider

Before going out and buying some barbed wire, work out how much you need and what your intentions are. It’s also worth getting some safety equipment, such as goggles, thick gloves, and some thick clothing. Barbed wire is sharp after all, and it’s best to avoid injuring yourself during installation. You’ll also need to buy fencing pliers, a wire stretcher, a spool handle, and clips. You will need one clip for every place you plan to attach the barbed wire, so make sure to plan this in advance.

How to attach barbed wire to posts

  1. Put the spool handle in the middle of the coil of barbed wire and walk it between the two posts until it’s flat. Barbed wire is under tension when spooled, so be careful not to hurt yourself while doing this.
  2. Return to the first post and attach the wire to it. To do this, force a gap between the two pieces of wire that make up the larger wire and then insert one end of the clip through this gap. This will help to hold the wire in place.
  3. Use the pliers to bend the end of the clip around the wire once or twice to bind the two parts securely together. The better you do this, the less chance there is of the wire coming loose over time.
  4. Take the rest of the clip and wrap it around the post. The other end of the clip should now be resting on the barbed wire, where it can be tightened into place.
  5. After both ends of the clip are wrapped around the barbed wire, use the wire stretcher to pull it tight against the next post. Providing your clips are properly attached, the wire should pull taught.
  6. Repeat this as many times as needed until the fence has been installed.

Although it is possible to install a barbed wire fence on your own, it’s much easier with an extra pair of hands. Having a second person around means they can pull the wire tight while it’s installed, leading to a more professional looking end result.

San Diego barbed wire fence installation is important for protecting property, and for keeping out wild animals and trespassers. The installation process is easy as long as you have the right tools for the job, and a bit of patience. You will need to inspect the fence regularly, because weather or animals could cause it to lose tension or shape. Contact us for more information, or for a quote on our installation services.

How To Weatherproof Your Fence

Once you’ve had your fence installed it can be easy to forget about maintaining it. However, the more you care for it, the longer it’ll last. Even though the weather is pretty good in San Diego, it’s still helpful to weatherproof your fence to protect it from the elements. Here are the top ways to weatherproof your fence.

1. Keep an eye out for weather damage

Fences can be affected by all kinds of weather, not just rain. Strong winds can damage any type of fence, and the sun will cause damage to wood and PVC fences. Make sure you keep an eye out for signs of warping, rot, mold, or any other damage, and get it repaired as soon as possible.

2. Keep your fence clean

One of the easiest ways to weatherproof your fence is to keep it clean. Even chain link and iron fences will need cleaning occasionally, and this is a good time to check for any weather damage. Brush away any dirt and built up grime, and wash it down with a scrubbing brush or pressure washer.

3. Trim surrounding plants regularly

Keeping the area around your fence neat and tidy will help you keep an eye out for signs of damage, and will stop plants from growing up your fence, which can cause unnecessary damage. Even in reasonably dry climates such as San Diego, plants still harbor moisture, and this can be very damaging to all fencing materials.

4. Complete repairs quickly

If you happen to spot damage while inspecting your fence, make sure it’s repaired as soon as possible. Exposed wood or untreated metalwork can quickly succumb to the effects of weathering, and so it’s best to get this fixed straight away. If you don’t think you’ll be able to make the repairs yourself, then consider calling a professional fence repair service.

5. Maintain a weatherproof coating

You might think you only need to weatherproof your fence if it’s made of wood, but it’s important to apply some sort of treatment regardless of what materials were used. Weatherproof paints or coatings are designed to keep moisture out of the fence, as this is the main reason for rot and warping. Most paints will be oil-based, and can be used on wood, iron, chain link, and many other materials.

Ideally, you should apply a weatherproof coating when the fence is first installed, and this should be reapplied at least once a year, but make sure you coat any sections that are repaired or replaced.

Perhaps reading this article has made you realize that your current fence is beyond the point of weatherproofing, and it might be time to install a new one. Legend Fence, a leading San Diego fence installation company, is your go-to business for all of your fence installation needs. Contact us today for an estimate, and to see how we can help. We’ll also give you all the top tips on how to keep your new fence in good working order.

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