Both options can work — but the right choice depends on your skills, tools, time, and the type of fence you want. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you decide:
🔨 DIY vs Hiring a Fence Contractor: Which Is Better?
✅ DIY Fence Installation — Good When:
Pros
- Cheaper upfront (you save on labour).
- You have full control over design and pacing.
- Good for small, simple projects (short wood sections, garden fences, temporary fencing).
- Can be satisfying if you enjoy hands-on work.
Cons
- Requires tools: auger or post-hole digger, level, saws, string line, concrete mixing supplies.
- Physically demanding — digging post holes is no joke.
- Easy to make mistakes:
- posts not deep enough
- fence line not straight
- uneven spacing
- concrete issues
- Takes much longer than expected (often 2–3× the time).
- If the fence isn’t straight or secure, it will fail early.
Best for:
Small yards, low-cost wood fences, short privacy sections, confident DIYers.
🛠 Hiring a Fence Contractor — Good When:
Pros
- Stronger, straighter, longer-lasting fence.
- Contractors set posts accurately (depth, alignment, concrete).
- They understand local soil, frost heave, drainage, and building codes.
- Work is faster — often 1–3 days depending on size.
- You get warranties on workmanship and sometimes materials.
- No need to buy or rent expensive tools.
Cons
- More expensive (labour can be 40–60% of the total cost).
- Need to vet companies to avoid poor workmanship.
- Scheduling depends on contractor availability.
Best for:
Long property lines, vinyl or composite fencing, chain link, sloped yards, extreme climates (like Manitoba), and anyone who wants a professional finish.
🏡 If you’re in a cold climate like Manitoba
Hiring a contractor is usually the better choice because:
- Post depth needs to be correct (often 3–4 feet to avoid frost heave).
- Ground conditions vary (clay, moisture, freeze–thaw cycles).
- A fence built with shallow posts or poorly set concrete will lean within 1–3 years.
Professionals know how to prevent this.