Self Installed High Fence?

I'm new to the forum and am considering self-installing some 8' high fence. From what I understand if you hire someone to tackle it you would be looking around $4-$4.50/lf. We're looking at high fencing 91 acres and due to budget constraints we can't stroke a check for that much. We may tackle it in phases. I think we are looking at around 7,500 lf of fence.



Here's the question...has anyone ever installed that much on their own? This question is directed to folks who don't have a full barn of equipment. We only have a tractor and unfortunately the property lines are THICK!



I don't mind driving the t-posts with a manual t-post pounder but wonder how much work it is gonna be to install the wood posts. I don't think we can get a tractor into a good portion of the property line since it is thick and near a wetland. Am I crazy to try and self install this much linear footage on my own with no previous fence experience?



Thanks for any help!

It can be done it is just the time factor that is the killer. You have to factor in how long it will take you to do it versus how long a company can do it. It might be cheaper to stay work and work some OT rather than try and do it your self. Not trying to talk you out of it, its just alot of work. I did all my own fence for my breeder pens and it looks great but I spent a ton of time on it. The right equipment is key to doing it quickly. And then again that equipment is expensive. In the long run unless you have a ton of free time a a bunch of buddys that like to help you I would have to say you will hate your self if you try it.

I have done close to that and have another 15 rolls or so to put up this summer. The first phase was done over 2 years with the help of a friend. That will test a friendship. If you could get someone with a digger on a skid loader to set your corners and braces it will speed up the process for you a bunch especially if you are lacking that equipment. It is a ton of work however you go about it. Good Luck!

We had Beem Fence do ours and nearly 17 years later it still looks great. You have to clear the fence line prior to putting up your fence. You need to be able to get around with at least an ATV to check it for trees down and dig outs. If it is heavily wooded you will need to hire a bulldozer to get in there and clear it.

We didn't do that much, but we did some on our own. Wild Rivers is right: you need to clear the line, for a couple of reasons- not the least of which is that you will have a MISERABLE time hanging fence when you are fighting just to get through. Clear your line, get/rent/borrow a post hole digger for your tractor, a spin jenny for the roll of wire and a fence tightener and you can do it IF you're willing to devote a ton of time to it. If you will have to do a significant amount of it by hand (ie. you can't get a tractor or skid loader to it) then I wouldn't do it myself.

I don't think your crazy.It's just a matter of taking ownership of the job & starting.

As for its size? Thats relative.

I still have 60klm's (I think thats about 40 miles) to go on my own block before its completly finished.I just do a run or a new enclosure as,I feel,or as I need more space,feed,etc.

Help someone or a few,roll some out,as everyone has their own tricks & ways.

I try to do it when the temp is below 40C too.

I recon you've about a week for one man if you lines are cleared & your prepared.



Cheers Sharkey

We have the equipment and we always do our own fence install

Where are you at in Fla. some of the areas can be brutal. I am from the Tampa area & now live in S.E. Alabama. If you're not really a hands on person you will have your work cut out. I have 1300 acres we did ourselves plus breeder pens. 8 foot game fence will be the toughest wire you have ever put your hands on. Each wood post HAS to be tamped if you can't drive them. Cement will rot them out in 8 to 10 years. It could be a love / hate job depending on your expectations. You could supply material and find labor to help on the cost. A lot of people out of work down there.

10 ft. fence in Michigan. This law should be changed.

use a brush mulcher to clear your fence lanes and when the trees send up suckers spray them with herbicide, mulching is the cheapest way to clear for fencing

if you are in Florida you may have some swampy areas? You will need the right equipment to get in there and not get stuck etc. I will say Mark Beem has put fence up just about everywhere imaginable and can work with rock, swamp or flat ground. He is located in Michigan but goes everywhere - even out of the country.

Thanks for all the input. I know it varies based on terrain, amount of fence to be installed, quality of materials, etc. but does $4.50/lf sound right for about 7,500 lf?

I sell new rolls of Stay-Tuff fence for $410.00 per roll for a 330' 8' high fence, that is $1.24 a foot

For about $6.50 a ft. You can have it installed - that covers all materials and installation.

What is the shipping costs for that fence. Is that all plastic or is it steel reinforced?

drambranch said:

Thanks for all the input. I know it varies based on terrain, amount of fence to be installed, quality of materials, etc. but does $4.50/lf sound right for about 7,500 lf?

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$4.50 per lf sounds cheap to me (relatively speaking).