Is it CHEAPER to hire a FENCE contractor or to take the DIY ROUTE? (Full Video)

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  • Опубліковано 13 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 148

  • @julietphillips1991
    @julietphillips1991 11 місяців тому +17

    If you're willing and able to diy, yes diy is the way to go. So much pride in the finished fence and the first helper was paid in hugs and kisses and some snacks! It looks great!

  • @geminiman2158
    @geminiman2158 4 місяці тому +13

    I’m a remodeling contractor and I just learned how to build a fence after hurricane Beryl hit Texas two months ago. My brother and I were getting calls from our friends and their friends to fix their fences that were destroyed by the hurricane. We never built a fence before but with the help of some friends that did their fences before and watching videos of how to build a fence on UA-cam, we took one fence job first from one of our closes friends. We started by pulling out the broken old posts which was I would say the hardest part of the fence job. We used a farmer jack and wrap a chain to each posts and the concrete and tried pulling them out one by one and it was so tiring. There were like seven broken posts and to make it short we did great for our first time. Our friend loved our work and we made sure all the posts are very stable and the pickets were nailed in place. Now were on our six fence job if I’m not mistaken and we never heard any complaints from the home owners so now I think I’m very confident to build my own fence if I ever get my own house.

  • @SpringHills47
    @SpringHills47 10 місяців тому +6

    Always if you have the skills do it yourself or learn how to. I have saved 100k over the last 20 years having a go at landscaping, carpentry, paving, irrigation, fencing and even now framing and sheetrock. Contractors and tradies charge through the nose. Only won’t tackle plumping and electrical. Great result on your fence. Probably better than someone else doing it as you take more care and pride doing it yourself.

  • @mendenhallwoodworking
    @mendenhallwoodworking 11 місяців тому +3

    I have the same air compressor for about 15 years now. Great work like always.

  • @MCsCreations
    @MCsCreations 11 місяців тому +2

    Really well done, Donnie! Looks fantastic! 😃
    Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

  • @fathogwoodworking
    @fathogwoodworking 11 місяців тому +4

    Great project and what a saving. I always diy everything as the costs are too much to get trade people in. Yes you need to buy some tools but you have them for future projects.
    Good work Donnie. 👍

  • @tunapig
    @tunapig 4 місяці тому +1

    for bracing a post (so it stays plumb while you put in the concrete or foam or whatever). I like to use a couple tposts. And a couple scraps of 1x4. Screw the boards to the post. Clamp the boards to the tposts. Clamps are easy to adjust. Works good. Then yank out the tposts with a tpost jack afterwards.

  • @avelardez
    @avelardez 8 місяців тому +8

    Looks great. You chose the best contractor, yourself.

  • @terrancepinkney777
    @terrancepinkney777 7 місяців тому +2

    Yep and I don't have to do as much as both neighbors already have fences up I just have to do to main sections and the front of the patio. This is great! Thanks man!

    • @mangellotti57
      @mangellotti57 3 місяці тому

      Lucky! I'm looking at 700'. It's daunting.

  • @johntrussell7228
    @johntrussell7228 5 місяців тому +11

    Completely tore down my old fence, and rebuilt 250ft of 6ft privacy horizontal. Fully pressure treated wood. 160 lbs concrete per hole, 45 posts with 3 gates. Saved $12,000 doing it myself.

    • @MeAndMyOpinions_OverYours
      @MeAndMyOpinions_OverYours 3 місяці тому +1

      How much was overall cost?

    • @lacedup4lyfe
      @lacedup4lyfe 2 місяці тому

      @@johntrussell7228 well if you really saved that much, you got seriously over quoted then. 😂

  • @austintexas9287
    @austintexas9287 10 місяців тому +2

    Great job DiY on your new fence! Definitely, if you can DiY in fence project like this and yes one hell of sweaty task, but a lot of love put into it.
    I dont think contractors do much better than you so two thumbs 👍👍 for your success.
    In my experience this fence design will not hold up for 5-7 years due to the design and you property in the big open space (if high wind can weaken the fence over time). I would do the horizontal layout design with open gap in between panels.

  • @diananguyen7701
    @diananguyen7701 2 місяці тому +1

    I’d be honored to tell you I am a woman. I feel my fence my own. It’s not too hard very easy. Only thing you need one more guy to help you to level with the new pole. Thank you for sharing. You do a wonderful job. Save a lot of money.

  • @lorenwilson8128
    @lorenwilson8128 4 місяці тому

    Looks great! One advantage of doing it yourself is that you put in some quality where some contractors are just there to get it done and move to the next job.

  • @33fivers
    @33fivers 5 місяців тому +1

    Lovely! I am inspired

  • @surebrah
    @surebrah 7 місяців тому +1

    I built a fence and was like yeah…. I’ve seen all this before. Then I saw how you built the gate with the spacers, excellent idea!

  • @allensmith2125
    @allensmith2125 10 місяців тому +57

    I mean, it's cheaper, but you will need a post hole digger, an air compresser, a nail gun, a mini concrete mixer, large claps, and other items not listed. So, probably add another 1,000 to 2,000 if you don't already own all that. Also probably 20+ hours of labor depedning on your knowledge it could be alot more. Depends what you value your time at. All for it, but your numbers basically only include the nails, concrete and wood, it seems like. Also will probably need another set of hands for some of that or it will be more difficult. Savings are more like 4,500 by the end of it. You might could rent a mini mixer idk but if not that's a huge waste of money on something you will most likely never use again the rest of the tools are solid purchases. Anyways just something to think of before tackling a project like this. More power too you if you do.

    • @erichaertling2537
      @erichaertling2537 8 місяців тому +52

      A manual post hole digger is $30 at Walmart. Don’t need a nail gun. Use screws better. Don’t need air compressor then. Don’t need a concrete mixer use a 5 gallon bucket or better yet just pour it in the hole. It will get hard. Contractors full of it saying overhead. Overhead is just another word for tax write off. Cost a contractor nothing but a way not to pay taxes. I would pay a contractor if they were just even in a decent range. This dude spent $3600 for materials. So say a contractor takes a week. 40 hours. You pay $100 an hour. That’s $4gs. That still $7600. Still WAY under 12gs. Makes zero since. $100 an hour and takes u no certification test. No license nothing to do. Contractors smoking crack and feasting on ppl being just dumb.

    • @guero9162
      @guero9162 8 місяців тому +11

      You can mix by hand wheelbarrow and shovel and dig with post hole diggers by hand stop complaining

    • @micahmoore9845
      @micahmoore9845 8 місяців тому +3

      @@erichaertling2537 If you're a contractor and doing this every day, you definitely want the proper tools to make it easier, faster, and all-around better experience. What you say is true for a true DIY, but contractors really do need/want those items.

    • @ume1870
      @ume1870 8 місяців тому

      @@erichaertling2537screws are not better!

    • @Ixpol2800
      @Ixpol2800 7 місяців тому +8

      Definitely don’t need all these things 😂

  • @stavroscorleone1345
    @stavroscorleone1345 3 місяці тому

    I did 620' of 6' pt pine board on board with cap , trim etc. 3 gates and a 12' double gate for the driveway. Then stained all of it. All by myself except i had my friend drill about 70 holes with his tractor.. Made several jigs. Under 10k. Except it took me exactly 3 months......

  • @cartnerdsurney
    @cartnerdsurney 7 місяців тому +1

    You did a great job guys.

  • @dyuan3298
    @dyuan3298 5 місяців тому +1

    Excellent video. Thanks for sharing your work 👍.

  • @ume1870
    @ume1870 8 місяців тому +4

    Coming from a fence contractor, you did any amazing job. Gates might not last but still well done !

  • @matthewgarey6240
    @matthewgarey6240 11 місяців тому +2

    I needed to do an 80’ fence to keep my dog in. Got a quote of nearly $5000. Neighbour paid for materials I put it together. Got a postd company to do the posts and went from there. It was coming down a burm so almost every board was cut at an angle and slightly different length. Definitely would never pay full price for a fence

  • @jonreeves3993
    @jonreeves3993 7 місяців тому +1

    I like that little mixer

  • @angelahannah182
    @angelahannah182 6 місяців тому +1

    It is normally cheaper to do all projects by yourself, hopefully you have experience before doing each project. And yes, u still have extra costs because of renting equipment. But it's the time. Will u lose hrs at your actual job to do said project? It's all about time and experience. I personally can do most home repairs myself but I still take my car to the shop for repairs

  • @marcoantonioretamoza
    @marcoantonioretamoza 3 місяці тому

    Muy bonitos los cercos de madera no hay duda pero también 😉 los de de maya son bonitos 😊

  • @MP-yz6sb
    @MP-yz6sb 6 місяців тому +2

    Holy cow where is this that lots are that big? Where I live the builder would have crammed at least 5 houses on that lot.

  • @Yohann67
    @Yohann67 11 днів тому

    I’m getting a 6 foot cedar fence with 2x6 cap and kick rail and new metal posts for about 1/2 the cost of “professional” fence, with an upgrade to grade 1 “6x1” pickets vs the standard 3.5. Yeah, it’s DIY, it will take 3-5 times as long and a lot of blood,, sweat, and tears. The other expenses? I rented a hydraulic post puller for $55, and I can get a towable auger for less than 100. I’ll probably buy a nailer to work with my battery system or compressor so that’s the biggest “purchase”. We hired out the last 2 sections and they do look like crap 10 years later. I can do mediocre work for free, it sucks paying for it.

  • @wilsonpadilla3577
    @wilsonpadilla3577 7 місяців тому +1

    Job well done 👏

  • @Jehovaesmipastor-s8e
    @Jehovaesmipastor-s8e 4 дні тому

    what size nails did you use?
    And how far each rails are from each other and from ground to top,also what type of nail gun did you use

  • @artanndoni7048
    @artanndoni7048 7 місяців тому +1

    Any thing you do on that scale saves you money. As far as you are willing to spend the time I think its worth it doing it yourself

  • @conyiah
    @conyiah 3 місяці тому

    Great job and substantial savings if you know how to do it.

  • @graphguy
    @graphguy 4 місяці тому

    My install quote (split with neighbor) was $9,000, so $18,000
    I DIY'd it myself and just charged the neighbor for supplies (there 1/2).
    Excluding my labor cost total bill was $4,000 - 1/2 = $2,000 my material cost.
    And? I know for a fact my quality is far superior to the contractors.

  • @marcoantonioretamoza
    @marcoantonioretamoza 3 місяці тому

    Muy 👍 Seguros los cercos de madera!!! 😮

  • @elwatcho5629
    @elwatcho5629 2 місяці тому

    If you know what your doing yes. But then if you make a huge mess try to “fix” it. Although do not get surprised when if you call someone they tell you that its going to be more than previous just to knock it down. Had that happen to us so many times people thought that their mess wasnt a “big deal”.

  • @beastrod00
    @beastrod00 2 місяці тому

    Me and my bro did mine at my house I think we did pretty good

  • @bolts-wagon8005
    @bolts-wagon8005 11 місяців тому +2

    You forgot to mention all the tools you end up with for future projects when you DIY projects

  • @erichaertling2537
    @erichaertling2537 8 місяців тому +3

    Just crazy how much contractors charge. Even if you rented all your equipment for $300. Materials $3600. Then pay a dude $100 an hour!!! For 40 hours that’s $4gs for a total of $7900. No where close to the 12g quote you received. Contractors smoking crack now a days.

    • @kungfoochicken08
      @kungfoochicken08 Місяць тому

      Supply and demand. "Contractors" aren't usually building fences anyway. Its usually a fence company that hires a bunch of Mexicans who used to mow grass. You can teach a 10 year old how 95% of this "trade" in a single day.

  • @teeandy100
    @teeandy100 11 місяців тому +3

    It is not bad to go DIY but you will always need a second pair of hands.
    You can always hire a laborer and pay him per hour

  • @pbmartinfencing
    @pbmartinfencing 4 місяці тому +2

    6months in and let’s see that gate ! Do a video on it , let’s see how it’s holding up

    • @DesignsbyDonnie
      @DesignsbyDonnie  4 місяці тому +2

      That’s funny you just did this comment because I just had to make an adjustment on the door earlier today.

  • @richardjordan4232
    @richardjordan4232 4 місяці тому +1

    Funny how these videos make it look so smooth and easy hahahahahahaha

  • @eggheadegghead
    @eggheadegghead 5 місяців тому +3

    $12,000? Is this for real? We did replace our fence ourselves and it was so easy. The hardest part was to go to Home Depot to pick up the posts and fence panels and fight the mosquitos in the backyard.......

    • @DesignsbyDonnie
      @DesignsbyDonnie  5 місяців тому +2

      lol you’re right! That is the hardest part. But yeah the process is for real, but to be honest fence contractors pricing has gone up since I made this video and now it’s $19k for this fence. Crazy right? DIY for life

  • @jmlcolorado
    @jmlcolorado 4 місяці тому +1

    I can barely get 135 foot of fence material for $3600 in Colorado and here you are fencing the entire neighborhood 😂🤣

  • @Bklynpimpstress
    @Bklynpimpstress 3 місяці тому +1

    $12k for all that fencing. I live in Nj and need 103Lf of fencing im looking for horizontal vinyl thats almost $8k and if i get a horizontal cedar wood fence thats almost $10k. I find that to be absolutely ridiculous

    • @DesignsbyDonnie
      @DesignsbyDonnie  3 місяці тому +1

      Yeah I can relate with you. Fencing contractors have tripled their price points in the last few years

  • @tomekvilmovskiy6547
    @tomekvilmovskiy6547 11 місяців тому +5

    Painting is still required.
    Otherwise it'll become grey in a few years.

    • @yadayadayada4674
      @yadayadayada4674 5 місяців тому +2

      I was told you should wait one year before staining wood. Not sure why though.

    • @tomekvilmovskiy6547
      @tomekvilmovskiy6547 5 місяців тому

      @@yadayadayada4674 in most cases paint for wood also contains some rot stopping reagents, so after a year it can be already too late.

    • @Rwinnett2012
      @Rwinnett2012 4 місяці тому

      @@yadayadayada4674 If you love the fresh wood color, waiting a year will change it significantly. Get a moisture meter and use that to judge when to stain it (or paint if you want).

    • @fudgeyfoot419
      @fudgeyfoot419 3 місяці тому

      @@yadayadayada4674 so it can dry, otherwise you're locking moisture into the wood

    • @mangellotti57
      @mangellotti57 3 місяці тому

      ​@@yadayadayada4674that's for pressure treated wood, because of the moisture from the pressure treating process. Not a year though. A few weeks to 6 months, maybe a little longer, depending on the moisture level. If you wait too long it and it gets too dry it won't hold stain well. Below 19% is when you want to start staining, or when you can press a nail into the wood and no water seeps out.

  • @bobingalls4643
    @bobingalls4643 9 місяців тому +1

    if you go the contractor route, don't take the lowest bid because you will get what you paid for. Get the best. Better yet, do it yourself if you can.

  • @guitarlife6190
    @guitarlife6190 8 місяців тому +7

    It may be cheaper but you get what you pay for. I’ve seen mistakes that as a professional fence installer for 32 years that I would absolutely not do.

    • @ducnguyen-iv9px
      @ducnguyen-iv9px 7 місяців тому +2

      Which one? Tell us.

    • @guitarlife6190
      @guitarlife6190 7 місяців тому +5

      We never use 8’ stringers. We always use 16’ and stagger them. That way there isn’t a break on every joint. The bracing for the double gates aren’t quite right. Over all the job is passable. I had to go behind people that tried to do their own fence it ended up costing them way more than it should’ve.

    • @dweezilpuff13
      @dweezilpuff13 2 місяці тому

      @@ducnguyen-iv9pxI wouldn’t have framed on the outside of the posts. 16’ on the tops of the posts and 16’ rot board on the bottom. The framing on the center and bottom goes tight between the posts.
      We have hurricanes here in Texas. Also, the top will sag and warp so use the 16’ set on top of the posts then the top one doesn’t sag.

  • @carlosmarco322
    @carlosmarco322 7 місяців тому +1

    Answer to the question. Yes, if you have the tools and the know how. If not hiring will be cheaper.

  • @kosta2177
    @kosta2177 6 місяців тому

    I’m curious how long will wooden fence last

  • @smoll8746
    @smoll8746 7 місяців тому +7

    Step 1. Call before you dig!!! Always have lines marked for water, gas and cables!

    • @thedone1342
      @thedone1342 5 місяців тому

      😂 learn that the hard way

    • @danielverteramo3083
      @danielverteramo3083 4 місяці тому

      yep, took out a sprinkler line which is better than electrical or a water main line...lol

  • @mateob.4266
    @mateob.4266 3 місяці тому +1

    Lol, I mean if you're going to go out and rent or buy all that crap.... All that is unnecessary. Post hole digger, spade shovel, 2' level, screw gun/impact, screws not nails. Most homeowners already own these things.

  • @m.creekrenovations
    @m.creekrenovations 7 місяців тому

    Great video! How many days did it take from start to finish?

  • @Mad_H3ctor
    @Mad_H3ctor 7 місяців тому

    How big was your yard, measurements?

  • @victorconcepcion3722
    @victorconcepcion3722 6 місяців тому +1

    Looks great! I always consider a DIY lol....now take that 8 grand and go on vacation 🤙

  • @chochonero3419
    @chochonero3419 2 місяці тому

    That is some of the flattest, cleanest piece of land to install a fence.

  • @kenniegarner3848
    @kenniegarner3848 7 місяців тому +2

    If one man can do it so can you. If you can think you can do it. Everything is cheaper if you do it yourself.

  • @VictorCastillo-hb5bs
    @VictorCastillo-hb5bs 4 місяці тому

    i want to DIY but army messed up my back. since its under 100ft long ,1 straight away, i'll get someone to do it.

  • @lacedup4lyfe
    @lacedup4lyfe 5 місяців тому +8

    That’s not really true , you used about 2500 in tools aswell and it prolly took you a week. I’m a fence installer and yes you did a great job, but you obviously have construction experience, the normal guy looking to save money and do it himself is not going ti do it right and it will not only be unsafe, but also look horrible.

    • @johnmudd6453
      @johnmudd6453 3 місяці тому +1

      The word is probably!

    • @Ellis-zh3uv
      @Ellis-zh3uv 3 місяці тому +1

      With youtube, a person can build or fix just about anything. I built a fence, an ebike battery, and an offgrid solar system from youtube videos.

    • @Bmoseley85
      @Bmoseley85 3 місяці тому +1

      Its not rocket science.

    • @k.lamareyev4418
      @k.lamareyev4418 2 місяці тому +1

      With any licensed work you're not paying for the work you're paying for the knowledge. Luckily that's where youtube come in. Now it just boils down to the time/ savings being worth the effort.

  • @moisttv_9469
    @moisttv_9469 7 місяців тому

    How many sqft was the fence you installed?

  • @dcchai
    @dcchai 9 місяців тому

    Wow you save big money 🤙🏼

  • @M87user
    @M87user 8 місяців тому +2

    2:45 right there is a HSE violation, just imagine your hand with nail gun slipped and wife is behind the fence.
    Other than that great job!

  • @itsjwall
    @itsjwall 5 місяців тому

    Is it cheaper to pay for labor or not pay for labor?

  • @D.FamilyTravels
    @D.FamilyTravels 4 місяці тому

    Wow how many LF was that

  • @Cryptoboy92
    @Cryptoboy92 6 місяців тому

    Howlong?

  • @shantor100
    @shantor100 5 місяців тому +2

    I refuse to pay contractors for anything I can do or learn

  • @1967onebob
    @1967onebob 7 місяців тому +1

    Doesn't the neighbour pay for half the cost?

  • @susieblanco2722
    @susieblanco2722 2 місяці тому

    Thanks bro , 0 experience & im doing it myself at around $1000

  • @sawxpatscelts
    @sawxpatscelts 7 місяців тому +1

    Seems like you got easy ass soil to punch through. Could be a lot more difficult for someone with all rock and shale. Not fun.

  • @jessebond1159
    @jessebond1159 5 місяців тому +1

    You’re lucky you’re alive. Just digging in the ground with no clue what’s under you

  • @stevenzembriski6761
    @stevenzembriski6761 4 місяці тому

    No rocks or roots not like where i live we almost need dynamite 🧨 to get a hole in the ground

  • @reapermack7415
    @reapermack7415 2 місяці тому

    Everything is cheaper diy as long as you can do it right have a couple buddy's over knock it out in a weekend

  • @TX_TOAST
    @TX_TOAST 5 місяців тому +1

    Me & my neighbor diy’d part of the fence and it’s crap 😂. It’s not horrible but I would definitely hire someone next time

  • @martin41lopez
    @martin41lopez 5 місяців тому +1

    Should have used metal post or you’ll be pulling them up when they rot.

  • @steveO555666
    @steveO555666 5 місяців тому

    Def cheaper but if you got trees I hope your back is strong 😅

  • @dmar191
    @dmar191 5 місяців тому

    Of course it’s cheaper to DIY, but are you willing to invest that time?

    • @sukmidri
      @sukmidri 4 місяці тому

      I mean the video is here so.....?

  • @riddles4237
    @riddles4237 7 місяців тому +2

    Sooooo you’re asking if it’s cheaper to hire someone or just do it yourself???? 🤨🤨🤨 Ummmmm is that a real question? 😂🤣

  • @everforexcanada5663
    @everforexcanada5663 4 місяці тому

    how come the wood is so cheap? I would say the wood alone is more then $3600

  • @lornadouglas7887
    @lornadouglas7887 6 місяців тому +1

    Lol 12,000 dollars they having a laugh.

  • @cerberus8779
    @cerberus8779 4 місяці тому

    I hoped that you called the sewer and gas company before you used that pole auger. Otherwise it would cost you a lot more money…

  • @Alex10Al
    @Alex10Al 6 місяців тому +1

    Big ass post for those weak ass hinges. The more you do it the better you get at it…..

  • @danielserrano591
    @danielserrano591 4 місяці тому

    fence

  • @tommygarcia7406
    @tommygarcia7406 3 місяці тому

    If you got the money for the square footage of the video, contractor.

  • @rogermazuca4582
    @rogermazuca4582 7 місяців тому +1

    You put the pretty side on the outside dude. To each his own. Good job though 👍

    • @jamesrichards3721
      @jamesrichards3721 5 місяців тому +1

      No longer have to worry about kids climbing you fence

    • @yadayadayada4674
      @yadayadayada4674 5 місяців тому

      Never put pretty side on inside. People can climb into your yard easier other way. Plus it looks better from the road.

  • @carlosraymundomartinezesq3396
    @carlosraymundomartinezesq3396 3 дні тому

    Please don’t brace your posts. The pros don’t do it as it is completely unnecessary.

  • @shawannawilliams2221
    @shawannawilliams2221 6 місяців тому

    😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊wow

  • @MrsHerrington18
    @MrsHerrington18 8 місяців тому

    Mine is $20,000😭😭😭

  • @wayneguy6043
    @wayneguy6043 7 місяців тому

    Soft soil, no rocks…..ez

  • @mikerodriguez1044
    @mikerodriguez1044 7 місяців тому

    Fuck that, im just focus on making money lol

  • @jonreeves3993
    @jonreeves3993 7 місяців тому

    Hahaha! I can’t imagine using a ryobi auger to dig in my yard. Would never happen.

    • @lorenwilson8128
      @lorenwilson8128 4 місяці тому

      Some areas are blessed with soil that you can dig through. Other areas are all river bottom rocks.

  • @wayneguy6043
    @wayneguy6043 7 місяців тому +1

    It’s a crook’….

  • @JulioGarcia-uh8oo
    @JulioGarcia-uh8oo 5 місяців тому +1

    🤦🏻‍♂️ wood post. 🤢

  • @mrfencesocials
    @mrfencesocials 3 місяці тому

    you did a lot of things on the fence and the gates that were wrong. You should have watched some diy videos first

  • @richardjordan4232
    @richardjordan4232 4 місяці тому

    You did not have a blast

  • @aliciabenitez6576
    @aliciabenitez6576 7 місяців тому +1

    Vete m.m

  • @jennymisenhimer4061
    @jennymisenhimer4061 4 місяці тому

    You think it’s cheaper to build your own fence you’re not making enough money I wouldn’t even give you an estimate

  • @SunSun-hk8eg
    @SunSun-hk8eg 3 місяці тому

    🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇
    Excellent job.