It is like asking how long a piece of string is when building a fence because no two yards are the same, and constructing the fence is done to exact specifications and measurements. The answer to the question “how long does it take to build a fence?” will be influenced by several factors.
For example, building a standard wood fence around a yard that is 100 to 200 feet long would take a fence contractor approximately two to four days in ideal building conditions. Chain link fences are the easiest to install. They require the least amount of materials and labor, while most decorative wooden fences take much longer.
Let’s now look at what factors will influence the time it takes to install your custom-built fence and how they delay the installation.
Factors That Influence the Time Needed to Install a Fence
Yard Size
Assuming your yard is of average size, you will need at least 100 to 200 feet of fencing installed. Installation typically takes two to four days if you’re putting in a simple fence. Time will be longer or shorter depending on the size of your yard.
Workday Weather
Building a fence takes place outside, so the better the weather is, the faster you will have your fence up. Nothing slows down an installation like rain and snow. Do your best to check the weather, inconsistent as it may be and schedule your installation date accordingly.
Design Complexity
This one is self-explanatory. The more complicated and decorative your fence is, the longer it will take to build and install. Having a wrought iron ornamental fence designed and custom made takes much longer than an average chain-link one.
Ground Conditions
Rocky, uneven ground takes time to clear. Fence posts need to be sunk a certain depth into the ground for stability. If objects like tree roots, large rocks, concrete slabs, etc., are in the way and must be removed, the installation will slow down.
Property Location
Travel time for the builders can pile up when working on faraway sites. If this happens across multiple 8-hour workdays, they will need additional working days to complete the job. The company will inform you beforehand and include it in the quote.
Material Delays
With a standard build, all of the materials are readily available. However, when it comes to specialty items, there may be a waiting period to be ordered, availability checked and shipped. Material delays are one of those situations that are out of the builders’ control, and you may need to be patient.
Number of Gates
Most of the time, when having a fence built, one or two gates installed in the fence is the standard amount. The extra items require additional time and labour to add the number of gates you requested.
Retaining Walls and Other Extras
Compared to building a basic fence on flat, clear ground differs significantly from constructing retaining walls or other more complex structures. The landscape and the amount of extra work can add days to the installation time.
Similarly, if removing an existing fence first, you will be looking at a longer time frame, especially if fence posts have broken and need to be jack-hammered out of the ground.
Time needed for certain types of fences:
The time required to build a particular type of fence differs based on the material used and the size of the area you want to fence off. Here are a few examples of, on average, how long it takes to build a fence, according to type.
Wood
40 to 100 ft/day, which equals two to four days
Privacy
40 to 100 ft/day, which equals two to four days
Chain Link
100 to 200 ft/day, which will be one to two days
Vinyl
80 to 150 ft/day, which will be one to two days
Picket
40 to 100 ft/day, which equals two to four days.
Remember, these are rough times depending on the factors that may or may not slow down the installation. For example, vinyl is quicker to put up than wood. If you are putting up a privacy fence, it will take more time and labour than a chain-link fence.
What you can do to speed up your fence installation
You most likely want your fence installed as quickly as possible. Having builders, mess and noise in your pristine yard aren’t ideal, and you want it back to normal in a hurry. Here are some tips that will help the crew finish as quickly as possible:
- Clear the area around the installation site as much as possible. Remove large rocks, tree roots, etc., from the ground.
- Trim or take away plants and vegetation and anything else that might get in the way of the installation.
- Ensure there is enough space for the builders to work around the site—ideally two feet on both sides of where the fence will go up.
- Arrange a site visit beforehand. Doing a site visit where marking the fence lines will be done correctly, and any underground power, gas lines and water pipes can be located and avoided before digging starts.
- Take the builders’ travel time into account and make the necessary arrangements to reduce the time spent doing additional jobs.
Conclusion
When considering installing a fence on their property, the first question most people ask is, “how long does it take to build a fence?”. To answer it: there is more than one answer.
Choosing a professional service with experience and knowledge is your first step toward speedy installation. After you’ve decided on the type of fence and the material it fabricated out of, do everything you can before the builders arrive to make the site as clear and easy as possible to work.
There is no reliable way of answering “how long does it take to build a fence?” there are ways to significantly reduce the time it takes and get your beautiful new fence up and installed.