Do It Yourself or Not: Build a chain-link fence
Building any type of fence is strenuous work, but the results are gratifying and an eye-catching improvement to a house. While a fence made of chain-link doesn't have the pizzazz of more stylish ones, you won't find a more hardworking or long-lasting material that adds protection and privacy to your property. A chain-link fence consists of the framework, fabric, fittings and gates made of galvanized components. It gets strength from the framework of posts and rails that fit together and is covered with mesh stretched across its frame. Some chain-link fences have vinyl or polyester color coatings in addition to zinc to help them blend in with the landscape.
A fence contractor charges $1,312 to build a good-quality 4-foot high, 100-foot long-chain link fence with posts spaced at 7-foot intervals. That includes labor and material. You can buy the fence materials, cement and a come along, a specialty tool that stretches the mesh on its frame, at a home or yard center for $750, and build the fence. You'll save 43% by doing it yourself.
The job involves laying out the fence, digging post holes, pouring and mixing concrete, and stretching the mesh across the frame. You need a tape measure, a carpenter's level, pliers, a wrench, pipe cutter or circular saw (with metal cutting blade), shovel, hoe, wheelbarrow, and string and stakes. Working with chain-link mesh fencing can be rough on your hands, so wear heavy work gloves for protection.
Before you begin any fencing project, check the survey of your property to know exactly where your property lines begin and end. Contact your local building department to learn about fence height requirements specified by your local zoning laws or subdivision covenants. Ask what the required depth is for post holes which depends on the frost line (how deep the ground freezes) in your area. There may be other restrictions about the material or style of fence, so it's important to know all of this before you build a fence.
Pro Cost: $1,312 — DIY Cost: $750 — Pro time: 19.1 DIY Time: 27.5 — DIY Savings: $562 — Percent Saved: 43%
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©2025 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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