Project Fence: Without Spending a Bundle

Many people are fairly shocked to realize how expensive it can be to fence their yard. If money is tight, you can use the following approaches to limit the damage to your bank account.
The number one way of fencing a yard cheaply is to install the fence yourself. There are materials and methods that can save quite a bit of money, of course, but still installation is a major expense and a DIY approach can save, regardless of the choice of fence.
There are some considerations before you undertake a fencing project on your own. One thing to consider is the location of the fence. It is very important to insure that the fence is within your own property line. Many people have come to grief over this matter. A fence that is actually on adjacent property will not tend to make “good neighbors.”
Another consideration is zoning regulations. Professional installers are up to date on any particular zoning regulations or local covenants that impact fencing in your area. This should not be a major problem.
Although it sometimes seems to be the case, zoning regulations are not state secrets, and a few phone calls should get an all-clear for your project. Just make sure you do not neglect to find out.
If you install your own fence or not, there are materials and types of fences that represent a considerable savings in cost. Chain link fences do not offer the appeal of vinyl panel fences, perhaps, but they cost much less.
Of course, rail and post fences are even less expensive. In many cases, the purpose of the fence dictates the type of fencing. Savings will mean very little if the fence does not accomplish its intended purpose.
You can find stories of people who built their own fences without any material cost at all. After all, fences existed hundreds of years ago. This is something that can be done easily in rural or wooded areas.
It is possible to make a fence, called a jackleg fence, with nothing more than a chainsaw and the willingness to do a lot of hard work. This type of fence was built by our pioneer ancestors and often covered large areas as a barrier to prevent the escape of livestock. Back in those days there was no such thing as a chainsaw.
Fortunately for all of us, those times have changed.
If you prefer to buy the materials and do it yourself, Murphy Fence Company will be happy to come to your home or business and give you a free estimate, provide you with measurements and a material list to get you started.
One call to Murphy Fence Company is all you need to get your fence project started. Open year-round Monday-Saturday, 609-886-1635.
—Amy Litton, Murphy Fence Company