Books and Resources to Start Strong
Starting a fence installation business requires knowledge beyond just knowing how to build fences. You need to understand business operations, customer management, and the technical aspects of different fence types. These books provide practical guidance for getting your business off the ground.
The Small Business Start-Up Kit by Peri Pakroo
This book walks you through the essential steps of launching a legitimate business, including legal structure, licensing, insurance, and basic accounting. For a fence installation business, understanding liability coverage and proper business registration is critical before you take your first job. The book is straightforward and avoids unnecessary jargon.
Shop The Small Business Start-Up Kit on Amazon →
The Contracting Business by Jeff Markowitz
This book specifically addresses the contracting industry, covering job estimation, pricing strategies, and managing crews. Since fence installation is contract work, you’ll benefit from understanding how to bid jobs accurately and maintain profitability without underpricing.
Shop The Contracting Business on Amazon →
Successful Estimating for Contractors by Floyd M. Mix
Accurate estimates determine whether you make money or lose it on jobs. This book teaches you how to calculate material costs, labor time, and overhead so your quotes are competitive but profitable. For fence work, understanding post spacing, material waste, and labor efficiency directly impacts your bottom line.
Shop Successful Estimating for Contractors on Amazon →
Fences and Gates: Design and Construction by Edward and Joan Barnhart
This practical guide covers fence design, materials, construction techniques, and common problems. Having a reference book on hand helps you explain options to customers and troubleshoot challenges on the job. It’s especially useful when customers ask about specific fence styles or materials you haven’t installed before.
Shop Fences and Gates: Design and Construction on Amazon →
Equipment You Need
Fence installation requires specialized tools for digging, measuring, cutting, and securing materials. Your initial investment covers basic hand tools, power tools, and safety equipment. As your business grows, you’ll add specialized equipment to work faster and more safely.
Excavation and Digging Tools
- Post hole digger (manual): Essential for digging fence post holes without powered equipment
- Power auger: Speeds up post hole digging significantly; critical for larger jobs
- Mattock and pickaxe: Break through hard soil and rocky ground
- Shovel: Multiple uses for site prep and cleanup
- Spade: Edging and precise digging
Measuring and Layout Tools
- Tape measure (100 feet): Standard for layout and measurement
- Chalk line: Marks straight lines across the property
- Line level: Ensures horizontal accuracy
- String and stakes: Basic layout equipment
- Torpedo level (24 inch): Checks plumb and level on posts and panels
- 4-foot level: Better accuracy for longer distances
Shop torpedo levels on Amazon →
Cutting Tools
- Circular saw: Cuts boards, posts, and pickets to length
- Miter saw: Precise angled cuts on pickets and rails
- Hand saw or reciprocating saw: Backup cutting for difficult angles
- Chainsaw: Handling thick posts and wooden debris
- Pruning saw: Clearing branches from work areas
Shop circular saws on Amazon →
Fastening and Assembly Tools
- Cordless drill/driver: Drilling pilot holes and driving screws
- Impact driver: Faster driving for large fastening jobs
- Hammer: Driving nails and demolition work
- Screwdriver set: Multiple bit sizes for hand work
- Nail gun (pneumatic or cordless): Speeds up picket attachment significantly
- Adjustable wrench: Working with hardware and bolts
Shop cordless drill combos on Amazon →
Concrete and Post Setting
- Concrete mixer (portable): Mixing post-set concrete for larger jobs
- Mixing tub: Mixing smaller batches by hand
- Post level: Specialized level for ensuring plumb posts
- Concrete wheelbarrow: Transport mixed concrete
Safety Equipment
- Safety glasses: Required on every job
- Work gloves: Heavy leather for handling materials
- Steel-toed boots: Required footwear on job sites
- Dust mask or respirator: Protection from sawdust and debris
- Hearing protection: Earplugs or earmuffs for power tools
- Hard hat: Protection when removing old fences or working near overhead hazards
- First aid kit: On-site injury treatment
Shop safety gear sets on Amazon →
Material Transport and Storage
- Utility trailer: Essential for hauling posts, boards, and tools to job sites
- Truck or van: For transporting crews and equipment
- Tool chest or organizer: Keeps equipment organized and accessible
- Tarps: Covering materials and protecting completed work
What to Buy First vs Later
Start with tools that directly impact your ability to complete jobs safely and profitably. Prioritize based on which tools you’ll use on every job versus those needed only occasionally.
- First (Essential): Post hole digger or power auger, circular saw, cordless drill, tape measure, level, safety gear, and a utility trailer. These are non-negotiable for any fence job.
- Within First 3 Months: Miter saw, nail gun, impact driver, and concrete mixing equipment. These speed up production and improve quality on multiple jobs per week.
- First Year (As Revenue Increases): Reciprocating saw, chainsaw, line level, chalk line, and additional safety equipment backup. Add these as you land larger projects and build your team.
- Later (Specialized/Advanced): Commercial-grade concrete mixer, trenching equipment, metal cutting tools for vinyl or metal fencing. Invest in these once you’re consistently booking jobs that require them.
New vs Used Equipment
For a fence installation business, you have flexibility on some equipment but should prioritize safety and reliability on others. A power auger used occasionally can be purchased used or rented, but your main drill and saw should be new or near-new with a warranty. Used hand tools are perfectly fine—a used tape measure works as well as a new one. Focus your new equipment budget on power tools that you’ll use daily.
Rent specialized equipment you use infrequently. A power auger rental costs $40–$100 per day, but buying one new runs $500–$2,000. If you use it for only a few jobs annually, renting makes financial sense. As your job volume increases and you’re auger-digging multiple times weekly, buying becomes justified. Safety equipment should never be used or compromised—buy new gloves, glasses, and masks regularly.
Where to Buy
- Home Depot and Lowe’s: Wide selection of tools, materials, and equipment; easy returns and local pickup
- Amazon: Convenient delivery; good for specialty items and bulk orders
- Local tool rental shops: Rent power augers, concrete mixers, and specialty equipment for short-term projects
- Menards: Regional availability; competitive pricing on materials and tools
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist: Used tools and equipment, often 30–50% less than new; inspect carefully before buying
- Tool pawn shops: Used power tools at discounts; may lack warranties
- Specialty fence suppliers: Specific materials and sometimes equipment; build relationships for better pricing
- Contractor supply stores: B2B pricing for larger equipment orders; often require business registration