What kinds of fencing do rural customers want?
Common types include woven wire, barbed wire, high-tensile wire, electric, wood board, vinyl and pipe or panel fences for animals. The best choice depends on the animals, the terrain, the budget and how long the fence should last.
Learn what works for different livestock, because a fence that suits cattle may not hold goats, horses or sheep. Your extension office can explain which designs are typically used in your area.
Ask the customer what animals or crops will be inside or outside the fence, and how they will use gates, since access for equipment matters.
- Livestock needs for height and strength
- Terrain and soil conditions
- Budget and expected lifespan
- Gates and access for equipment
Why do property lines cause trouble?
Many fence disputes begin with boundary uncertainty. Before building on or near a line, ask the customer for a survey or confirm the line with a licensed surveyor. A fence built in the wrong place can lead to legal conflict and costly removal.
Rules about who pays for a boundary fence, how high or close a fence can be, and what counts as a lawful fence differ by state and county. Ask a licensed attorney or the county land office before you commit.
If the customer is unsure where the boundary lies, do not guess. Wait for a survey, or ask them to sign a statement that they accept responsibility, after speaking with an attorney.
How do you estimate and price jobs?
Walk the line with the customer and note length, corners, gates, slopes, rock, trees, ditches and soil. Hard ground, rock and wet areas slow work and wear equipment.
Price materials, labor, equipment, travel, waste and a margin for the unexpected. Put it all in a written estimate that lists what is included, such as gates and clearing, and what is not.
Mention possible extra costs up front, such as rock, stumps, wet ground and repairs to old lines you may need to tie into.
- Total length and number of corners and gates
- Terrain, soil and obstacles along the line
- Type and height of fence
- Clearing, removal of old fence and disposal
- Payment schedule and start window
What equipment and materials do you need?
Typical equipment includes a post driver or auger, a skid steer or tractor, a truck and trailer, wire tools and hand tools. Good bracing and corners matter more than fancy posts, because a fence is only as strong as its ends.
Buy materials from reliable sources and keep records of what you use. Treated posts and chemicals carry handling and disposal considerations, so ask the product maker and your agriculture office about safe practice.
Corner and brace assemblies take time but make the rest of the fence last. Customers who understand this will often accept the price.
What are the safety concerns?
Fencing involves tensioned wire, heavy equipment, sharp tools and hot weather. Wire under tension can snap back, and posts and drivers can crush. Wear gloves, eye protection and sturdy boots, and keep bystanders away.
Electric fences need correct installation and warning signs. Work near power lines or buried utilities requires special care, so contact the utility and your state's call-before-you-dig service.
Keep a first aid kit, gloves and eye protection in every truck, and keep your phone charged.
- Wear gloves and eye protection
- Keep bystanders clear of tensioned wire
- Call before you dig
- Take breaks in hot weather
What about warranties and expectations?
Be clear about what you guarantee. Soil movement, floods, animals and weather can damage a fence for reasons that have nothing to do with your work. A written warranty with plain limits protects you and avoids disputes.
Talk to the customer about care and upkeep such as checking wire tension, keeping vegetation off, and repairing damage promptly.
Keep the written warranty short and clear, and give a copy to the customer.
How do you build the business?
Do clean work and finish when you promise. Farmers, horse owners, and landowners talk, and a reputation for straight fences brings calls. Take photos of finished work with the owner's permission.
Ask an insurance agent about liability and equipment coverage, and register your business as your state requires.
A short follow-up call after the job helps catch small problems and builds trust.
Key takeaways
- Confirm property lines with a survey before building on or near a boundary.
- Use designs suited to the animals and terrain.
- Write detailed estimates that cover clearing, gates and unexpected conditions.
- Handle tensioned wire and utilities with care and call before you dig.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.