Whether you own a property already or are looking to buy a new one, fencing can be a large part of property ownership. Fencing not only provides security for your family and belongings, but it also can add a nice touch to any home or land.
Owning property, however, can already be pretty expensive. Adding an additional cost of fence installation might seem a bit daunting or pricey, not to mention time-consuming. Is it worth the cost? Our team here at Northland Fence has been in the fence business for over 15 years. We’re a family-owned business that was founded right here in Minnesota. With all of our history and experience, we’re always happy to share our knowledge with our community. Today we’re going to look at the easiest fence to install yourself, what installing it might look like, and if it’s worth it to install your own fence in the long run.
Oftentimes, when people think about fence installation, they think about someone needing to dig holes into their yard in order to install fence posts. This process normally occurs by placing the fence post into the hole and then filling the hole with a combination of rocks and cement.
This isn’t the only way to make sure your fence is stable and secure, however. As the name implies, a “no dig” fence does not require the mess that comes with digging holes for your posts. Normally a “no dig” fence utilizes the driven post method, where you simply hammer supports into the ground.
In theory, any type of fence can be a “no dig” fence with the right equipment. While you can find a plethora of no-dig fences, usually in an ornamental-steel style, on sites like Lowes and Amazon, these aren’t the only option.
Fences you find on websites such as those tend to be geared towards people who want to install their fences themselves. While they can be made of decent materials, they’re not usually built to withstand harsher weather conditions, which aren’t uncommon here in Minnesota.
Large fences, like vinyl, chain link, and more, can also be “no dig” and utilize the driven post method. The main difference between them and the fences you find online is the posts are a lot thicker and will be driven usually a minimum of 4ft into the ground. This requires equipment that the average home-owner normally doesn’t have.
There are many quick fencing options available all over the internet and at your local hardware store. What’s important to know is that when it comes to personal installation, “fast and easy” doesn’t always mean the cheapest or the best. What you save in costs toward a fencing company, you lose in the time you spend as well as the short life span of most “fast and easy” installation kits. If a fence costs a fraction of the price of hiring a contractor, but it only lasts a year before you have to buy another one, are you really saving any money?
Regardless of how you plan to install a fence, there are a few things you should check first. For one, you can only build your fence inside of your property. While some cities and counties might allow you to build on the property line, this is still your property line. It is your responsibility to know the exact boundaries of the property you own. If you’re uncertain, you can always check with your local registrar’s office or county clerk.
Next, Gopher One is Minnesota’s utility company. You never want to accidentally hit a utility line while installing a fence. Not only could this be dangerous to you, but it could be costly too. Before you work on a project in your yard where you will need to dig or pierce the ground, make sure you give your utility company a call.
Finally, having a solid plan in place before you get started can help save you money in the long run. This includes things like mapping out where you want your fence to go, landscaping as needed, calculating how many materials you will need, and purchasing said materials ahead of time. Luckily for one of those steps, we have a free, online fence-building tool that you can utilize to visualize your property and plan out your future fence.
Hardware stores will usually have at least a small selection of fencing materials and tools available for the average consumer to purchase. Sometimes their stock options might be better online, so don’t forget to check there, too. In the case of wooden fences, you might also be able to find a lumber company to purchase from as well.
Some fencing companies might even sell you materials directly from their storefront. If you decide to work with Northland Fence for your fencing installation, our years of experience help us get the best deal possible on materials for your project from sources the average consumer wouldn’t have access to. These savings translate directly into your estimate. We always strive to get the best deals on the highest-quality materials just for our customers.
Before you install a fence, whether you plan to do it yourself or not, it’s important to check your city’s specific ordinances and regulations regarding fencing. Every township and county has its own rules and regulations on top of those provided by the state. Here in Minnesota, for example, you’re not allowed to install barbed wire fences or electric fences outside of agricultural needs.
The first step you should take is to check your city’s website. If you don’t know your city’s website, you can easily locate it by googling your city’s name, followed by the state you live in. Adding the word “website” at the end can also help narrow the results down better. Once there, you can search the site itself for “fencing” or “regulations'' in order to find what you need.
If you want to save time and ensure you’re finding accurate and up-to-date information, any Minnesota resident is welcome to reference our city codes and regulations page. Not only do we explain if you will need a permit or not, but we also go into detail about the specific regulations for your county or city regarding style, height, placement, and more.
Wanting to install a fence comes with more than just the decision on what kind of fence you want, you also have to decide how you want it installed. Do you want to do it yourself or are you going to hire someone to do it?
Installing a fence yourself can give you a lot of control over the specifics of where your fence goes. You might also save some money during the installation process. The downside, however, is the time you lose as you install the fence. You lose time not only from the installation process but from going to get materials, to potential mistakes that need to be fixed.
When you go with a company like Northland Fence, you get your time back. Not only that, but our team, which is entirely in-house, will get the job done right the first time. We treat our customers and employees like family. This means making sure you get the best deals possible and working with you to make sure your fence is one of your dreams. This also means paying employees during the off-season and ensuring that they all know our company standards and will be there should you ever need them again.
All of our fencing projects come with a 10-year labor warranty, as well as a material warranty. Our chain link and ornamental steel fencing boast a 15-year material warranty, and our vinyl fencing has a lifetime warranty on materials. We’re so certain about the quality of our products that we will help fix or replace things within those warranty periods to ensure you get the quality fencing you paid for.
If you have any questions about our costs and ianstallation process, or if you’d like to get a quote, don’t hesitate to call our Northland team at (763) 316-4881.
Fencing kits found online in places like Amazon are quick and easy to install. They might only last you a year or less, however, as they’re not meant to stand against harsh weather conditions.
The better the fence type, the higher the property value it can add. Not only is appearance important but so is longevity. In this case, your best option is a reliable, vinyl fence.
Vinyl fencing, when installed right and maintained, can last for decades.
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful, maintenance-free vinyl privacy fence, a sturdy chain link fence, or a ornamental fence, we’re ready to show you why we’re Minnesota’s highest and best rated fence company.
Use this form to request a free estimate or call us at 763-325-8211.
Northland Fence Company Ramsey
6390 McKinley St NW, Suite 150
Ramsey, MN 55303
763-496-4813
Monday: 9 AM–5 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM–5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM–5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM–5 PM
Friday: 9 AM–5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
