Image of a fence depicting how to be a fence builder

Choosing a profession to pursue is clearly a blend of talent and preference. Most of the time, you make decisions considering your interests. So, all you have to do now is figure out what you enjoy the most. Nonetheless, if you have a passion for something, in particular, you can go ahead with that specific field. And if you show some enthusiasm and passion in fence builder, this surely is a must-read for you. This article focuses on how to be a fence builder. It is a decent career choice through which you can go for a good income. If you are still trying to figure out which path to follow, you can read this article and get a good understanding. That would help you opt for the best out of all. 

Fences for Pasture & Garden Paperback – January 3, 1992

To gain some extra knowledge on building faces, you can surely go through this book by Gail Damerow to get an understanding. It explains how to design a fence that meets the needs by examining the benefits and drawbacks of several fencing options. With step-by-step instructions for constructing wire fences, rail fences, electric fences, woven fences, and more, you would be able to construct efficient fences if you refer to this book. This has received very good reviews in general. So, it would perhaps be a book that you should read if you are reading this article on how to be a fence builder.

What does a Fence Builder do?

Before telling you how to be a fence builder, we thought of telling you what fence builders typically do. This would perhaps help you develop a comprehensive understanding of what this is basically all about. 

A fence installer is a professional who manages the whole process of building a fence. So, it is from the initial measurements through continuous maintenance. You can begin this job by identifying the fence line area. You next clear any obstructions out of the way, drill post holes, cut the material to fit the task, construct the fence, and make any necessary repairs afterward.

However, in the first stage, you can offer a work schedule as well as a labor and supply cost estimate to your client. Typically, a fence installer talks with the customer to learn about the job’s specifications, such as the number of gates and fence size. You may need to put locks or other home security measures on the property in some circumstances if necessary. 

Fence builders may need to possess particular abilities that enable them to carry out their duties. Usually, a fence builder needs to have basic business talents, math abilities, and problem-solving skills. Of course, throughout this article, you can read all about this. Then, you will get a good idea for sure. 

The Fence Bible: How to plan, install and build fences and gates to meet every home style and property need, no matter what size your yard. Paperback – Illustrated, March 15, 2005

The author of this book is Jeff Beneke. This book has everything you need to design, build, and install a variety of attractive fences and robust gates. You will learn how to stake out the borders of land and design a fence that matches the particular landscape. This is indisputably a great guide no matter whether you build the fence in a rural area or urban area. “Very comprehensive. The Fence Bible is a very accurate title for this book. Even contains the history of fences. I feel confident that I will be able to make the best fence for my use when I start my project and a lot of the work is done for you by the book. I am impressed” This is a review for this book on Amazon. 

How much does a Fence Builder earn?

In a world that runs through monetary aspects, this surely would be a question that you are seeking answers to if you are reading this article on how to be a fence builder. So, we thought of providing an answer to this question before approaching our main content. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median wage of a fence builder is $37,550. Meanwhile, the highest 10 percent earned $57,470. And the lowest 10 percent earned $26450. This information is according to the statistics in May 2020. But that is sufficient for you to get a basic idea of this. 

Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Garden Walls & Fences: *Improve Backyard Environments *Enhance Privacy & Enjoyment *Define Space & Borders (Black & Decker Complete Guide) Kindle Edition

This book by Phil Schmidt is also a good book for you to refer to. Fences, walls, screens, and retaining wall terraces are all invaluable for a property for a variety of reasons. And this book is actually a comprehensive overview of all that.  Picket fences and panel fences are among the basic favorites in this book. But there are also intriguing regional variations like Virginia split rail fences and dry-fit stone garden walls. The most recent materials, such as new PVC vinyl variants and polymer-coated wrought-iron look-alikes, are also featured. In this book. Thus, you can gain a good understanding if you go through this book.

What are the Steps to be a Fence Builder?

Alright. Now, it is time to look into the steps to become a fence builder. Let us first move towards a step-by-step approach to start with. 

  1. Get a high school diploma or an equivalent
  2. Be experienced 
  3. Get on-the-job training
  4. Start the trade on your own

So, these are simply the steps that you would have to follow if you want to move ahead in the direction of this industry. Keep reading!

Ultimate Guide to Fences, Arbors & Trellises: Plan, Design, Build (English and English Edition) Paperback – February 1, 2008

This is a book by the editors of Creative Homeowner. Fences, gates, trellises, and arbors are all covered in-depth in this book. Also, this covers the construction of a number of fence types as well as unique trellis and arbor designs. It is n addition to fundamental construction techniques, fence planning, and adapting the fence, trellis, or arbor to the requirements of the yard. Hundreds of images of fences, gates, arbors, and trellises encourage are in this book. So, this would be a good guidebook for you for certain. 

1. Get a high school diploma or an equivalent

To begin, you must have a high school or an equivalent. Having a high school diploma implies that you have a basic understanding of the majority of general things. Specifically, a high school diploma indicates that you have a fundamental understanding of the subjects of mathematics, science, reading, and writing. But you do not have to be a pro in any of these. It is merely the fundamental knowledge that is necessary.

It is not specifically a high school diploma that you would need to have. Even if you have a GED or a General Education Development test, it is acceptable. That implies that you have the necessary knowledge up to the standard. 

Knowledge of mathematics is the most significant of all the skills necessary to indulge in this field. You would almost always need to use your basic math skills to perform a variety of tasks. Of course, we told you what a fence builder would have to do in general. And you may have understood that those tasks require basic math knowledge. You should be able to sort things out without too many issues. Yet, it is just basic knowledge. You do not have to know any complex mathematical areas. 

However, through a high school diploma or GED, you would not get to know anything in relation to this field in specific. For that, you need to specifically move forward in your career with this ambition. We will discuss it in the next parts of our article. Go on!

2. Be experienced

And next, you would have to gain some experience. You might wonder what we mean by getting experience. You have not still become a fence builder according to our steps. Well, here, it is not in the field of fence building that you need to have experience. For some time, you can work in a woodshop. Perhaps, you can gain some experience working as a carpenter or working as an assistant for a carpenter under the carpenter’s supervision. You cannot have the skill of fence working directly in this phase. But the experience that you can have is actually pretty beneficial for you to move forward in the industry as a fence builder. 

However, it is not essentially necessary to have this type of previous experience. It surely is good for you to move on in your job. But even if you enter the industry of fence building without this type of experience, that really does not matter a lot. It is because your employer would be willing to provide on-the-job training to you. 

3. Get on-the-job training

The next step in our list of steps on how to be a fence builder is getting on-the-job training. It is during this on-the-job training that you can learn and master the trade. Here, you will get to know what you should do and how to do them. The employer that you choose to work for, and who chooses you, will provide on-the-job training to you. Hence, it is pretty easy for you to excel in this field within a very short time period. As a matter of fact, you must be committed and dedicated. As an employee, you probably should work in the best interest of your employer. Hence, it is just necessary to understand the importance of your role as an employee when you work.

It is actually the professional skills that you must develop with time. If you develop no skills even if time passes, you are at a fail. You must develop soft skills for you to advance in the field to great heights. It is sometimes not just the skills that matter. Your professional qualities also matter a lot. So, this is a good time for you to develop your professional qualities as well. 

Fences, Gates, and Bridges: And How to Make Them Paperback – February 14, 2011

This is a book by George A. Martin. This is an instructional guide to the best ways to build a variety of fences, gates, hedges, bridges, and culverts. And this consists of a wealth of information on building various types of fences, including rail, composite, garden, board, and picket. It also explores how to construct an effective barbed wire fence, how to use a stone wall to reinforce a wooden fence, and highlights the pros of building portable fences. Therefore, this is a classic manual for anyone who wants to build their own structures for their farm, large property, or quaint backyard. 

4. Start the trade on your own

And finally, you can do something on your own. It is starting a business for you. However, it is up to you. We have told you how to be a fence builder. After you become one, you can decide on how you are going to move ahead. Obviously, there are two main choices. The first is you can remain as a professional and keep advancing to higher positions. And the second is you can start your own trade and turn yourself into an entrepreneur trying new things. It is simply your decision. But let us just tell you about starting your own business. 

To begin, you would need a vision for your company. It allows you to dream large and attain your objectives. You must also have the drive and determination to keep going till you achieve your goals. Also, you have to be willing to take risks. Make it a point to never miss out on a chance. You will lose money that you could have made if you miss one chance. So, be courageous and keep going. You can achieve great things. 

Make an effort to be an effective leader. You are responsible for a number of aspects of your company. You must keep track of your time, personnel, duties, assets, and all of your other resources.

Another important factor to think about is your level of self-assurance. What can you accomplish if you do not believe in yourself or your company? So, when you set your own business, you need to have assurance in yourself all the time.

Yes, these are some pointers to think about when you begin your business. We hope you will find them helpful.

Important Qualities that a Fence Builder needs to have?

In this article, we have already told you how to be a fence builder. But becoming a fence builder does not make you a stable professional. To remain in the industry and advance to higher positions, you surely need to have some important professional qualities. So, what sort of qualities do you need to have? Let us list them out in the first place. 

  1. Physical strength
  2. Physical stamina
  3. Dexterity
  4. Communication skills
  5. Time-management skills

These are some additional skills and competencies that you would need to have if you seek a future in the industry of fence building. Need to know more about these? Keep reading!

1. Physical strength

The capacity to exert force on physical objects is what we call physical strength. Working as a fence builder demands physical strength. If you are not physically strong enough to carry the equipment you need and the material you need to build the fences, you cannot go ahead in this career. Obviously, you will be unable to work in the field if things are such. 

Fence builders need physical strength just as everyone else in the construction business does. You will not be able to engage in this career productively if you do not believe you are a physically strong person. Fence building is not actually a piece of cake. So, before you decide to work as a fence builder, think about if you are physically capable of doing the job.

Strength training is the greatest feasible option to take if you need to enhance your physical strength. You can make yourself physically strong enough for this job if you engage in strength training if you feel that you are currently not physically strong enough. 

If you are physically fit enough even to perform a modest amount of labor if you are not physically strong enough. As a fence builder, you will be responsible for a large amount of work. Physical strength is, without a doubt, a significant element because of that.

Science and Practice of Strength Training Hardcover – April 9, 2020

Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky, William J. Kraemer, and Andrew C. Fry are the writers of this book. As you are probably aware, physical strength and fitness are essential for fence builders. This does not imply that you must be pretty athletic in terms of physical fitness. This implies that you must be physically capable of engaging in this job. So, if you have an interest to improve your physical strength, you can refer to this book.

2. Physical stamina

Let us start with a definition of physical stamina. Physical stamina is the ability to maintain a specific level of physical or mental activity for a period of time. When it comes to fence builders, it is physical activities that you have to carry out throughout your working hours. 

As a fence builder, you will have to work for long hours. If you cannot, you are probably not suitable for this profession. If this is the case, you must explore an alternative professional route. On the other hand, all construction-related occupations need a high level of physical stamina. That is a must. Your employer and you would both fail in this career if your physical stamina is of a low level. 

When it comes to fence building, you may have to go through the same steps several times. You would have to repeat virtually all of the same scope of work. Because of this, if you lack physical stamina, it will turn out to be a significant problem.

Increasing your stamina helps you to persevere in an activity even if you are uncomfortable. It also aids in the reduction of fatigue and tiredness. Needless to say, if you want to pursue a career as a fence builder, you must work to improve your physical stamina for sure.

30 Minutes to Fitness: Strength & Stamina with Kelly Coffey-Meyer

This DVD by Kelly Coffey-Meyer is a good one for you to refer to. This includes ways to improve both your physical strength and stamina. And most importantly, this is a 30-minute guide. So, you would not probably have to spend a lot of time on this as well. And this has received good ratings and positive reviews in general. So, this would be ideal for you if you think you should improve your physical stamina together with physical fitness. 

3. Dexterity

Obviously, you need to possess a decent level of dexterity in this regard as well. Dexterity is the ability to do a variety of tasks with your hands. As a fence builder, you will have to utilize your hands for the majority of your work. As a result, you should be aware that dexterity is crucial. Of course, in your work life, you cannot make excuses for your physical health. Fence building being a tough job, you must certainly adapt to the hard conditions of the job. ‘

Knowing how to be a fence builder is not enough. You must have physical standards such as dexterity as well. They are critical for the smooth running of your professional career. 

Jump Rope MASTERY DVD – Jump Rope DVD With Routines, Exercises & Techniques To Improve Fitness, Agility, Cardio & To Tone Body

If you want to enhance your dexterity, this is a good DVD to watch. Of course, this is an excellent starting point for improving your general physical fitness. Your health and fitness are the most important factors to consider in whatever you do in life. For a career that requires physical labor like fence building, you must be physically fit to the par. That is why we thought of suggesting this book to you.

4. Communication skills

A fence builder, in particular, needs to be able to communicate well. If you do not have effective communication abilities, you might not be able to do what your client wants. Then you would wind up performing something completely unconnected to your initial concept and unprofessional. That is not in the best interests of anyone.

The most important thing to remember about having good communication skills is that you must be able to communicate effectively. There are some people who are extremely chatty but ineffectual. Those people have no idea what the other person is saying. Without a doubt, this has a detrimental influence on the end product.

If you think you are not communicative enough, you must improve your communication skills. You should do this for your own gain. If you do nothing to improve your communication skills, you will ultimately find yourself in difficulty.

A fence builder may need to listen to the client’s expectations firstly. If you have any uncertainties, you may need to clear your doubts. It will get chaotic if you remain silent and do not grasp the expectation. Pay attention to what your customer has to say about his or her expectations as well and then plan out your task. 

Communication Skills: A Practical Guide to Improving Your Social Intelligence, Presentation, Persuasion and Public Speaking (Positive Psychology Coaching Series Book) (Volume 9) Paperback – July 11, 2015

This is a book by Ian Tuhovsky. It reflects methods to be communicative in an effective manner. Further, this is a good guide for anyone who is willing to enter a field that requires effective communicative abilities and skills. In general, this has received good ratings and reviews. “This book was amazing and changed my life. I would recommend it to anyone.”, says a reader of this book.

5. Time management skills

Without a question, time management skills are essential for any professional. All the same, it is critical for a fence builder as well. You would have to face difficulties if you do not have good time management abilities as a professional. 

And you would have to figure out how you are going to complete your tasks during your working hours. You do not actually need any particular time management skills to achieve this. Nonetheless, it is vital that you efficiently manage your time. It is just that simple planning out that you would need. 

Considering all these factors, you would understand that managing time is pretty important. There is no way you can succeed in an industry like this if you lack this type of quality. So, be a good planner and manager of time whatever the situation is. 

Time Management: The Ultimate Productivity Bundle – Become Organized, Productive & Get Clear Focus (Time Management Tips, Time Management Skills, Productivity Hacks) Kindle Edition

If you think you need to improve your time management abilities, this book by Dane Taylor is a great place to start. Of course, you would know the value of time. What you do not sometimes know is how to manage it, in which case this book would be ideal. That is why we thought of recommending this book to you. 

Final Thoughts

Our focus in this article was on how to be a fence builder. We not only told you how to be a fence builder but also told you what important qualities you would need to excel in this field. We hope that you found those useful and informative. If you wish, you can read about the methods to become certain professionals such as a plumber, electrician, mason, HVAC technician, ironworker, glazier, solar installer, boilermaker, painter, and so on. Happy fence building!