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Fence Tools
Quick answer: The core fence tools are a tape or measuring wheel, string and stakes, a post-hole digger or auger, a digging bar, a level, a saw and a drill or nailer. Chain link adds a fence stretcher; repairs may need a post puller. Rent heavy equipment like augers and get safety instructions at the rental counter.
Tools by job stage
Layout
- 100 ft tape and/or measuring wheel
- Stakes, mallet, mason's string, line level
- Marking paint or flags
- Optional laser level for slopes
Read how to measure a fence line.
Digging
- Clamshell post-hole digger: cheap, slow, good for a few holes in soft soil.
- Digging bar (spud bar): breaks rock and hard clay, pries out roots.
- One-person powered auger: faster; can twist violently if the bit binds. Use the handle and stance the rental shop shows you.
- Two-person or towable auger: better for many holes or hard soil.
- Shovel and trenching spade: clean up holes.
Setting posts
- 4 ft level or post level (fits two faces)
- Temporary braces and clamps
- Wheelbarrow, hoe or mixing tub for concrete
- Tamping bar for gravel
Building
- Circular saw or miter saw for rails and pickets
- Drill/driver or impact driver; framing nailer optional
- Speed square, pencil, clamps
- Spacer block for pickets
Chain link
- Fence stretcher bar and come-along or fence puller
- Pliers, wire cutters, bolt cutters
- Wrench set for tension bands
Repairs and removal
- Post puller (lever or jack type)
- Reciprocating saw
- Pry bar
Rent or buy
| Tool | Usually rent | Usually buy |
|---|---|---|
| Powered auger | ✓ | |
| Post puller | ✓ for one job | ✓ for farms |
| Post-hole digger | ✓ (inexpensive) | |
| Digging bar | ✓ | |
| Saws, drills | ✓ if you own a toolkit | |
| Fence stretcher | ✓ |
Rental costs add to DIY budgets; see DIY vs hire.
Safety gear
Safety glasses, work gloves, hearing protection for saws and augers, steel-toe or sturdy boots, and a dust mask when cutting treated lumber. Wash hands after handling treated wood. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for every tool.
Using an auger safely
Augers are among the most common sources of DIY injuries in fence building because the bit can grab a root or rock and spin the handle. Clear locates first, start slowly, keep a firm stance, never wrap the cord or hose around your body, and stop if you hit an obstruction. Ask the rental counter for a demonstration.
Worked example
Figures below are illustrative examples (2026-10-29), not quotes or guarantees.
Assumptions: 24 holes in clay soil for a backyard fence. Option A: manual digger and digging bar already owned; estimated 45 minutes per hole = 18 hours. Option B: one-day rental of a two-person auger at $120 (invented), estimated 10 minutes per hole including setup = 4 hours plus pickup and return. The rental saves roughly 14 hours of hard labour; whether it is worth it depends on your time and your back.
Accessories that save time
Post-hole spoons for cleaning holes, a string-line clamp, a picket spacer jig, a post cap kit and a gate anti-sag kit all speed work. We do not recommend specific brands here.
Tool checklist before digging day
- Locates marked and photographed
- Layout stakes and string set
- Auger reserved, fuel or battery ready
- Concrete and gravel delivered
- Braces cut
- Water source and wheelbarrow ready
Tools for vinyl and metal fences
Vinyl systems need a fine-tooth blade for clean cuts, a rubber mallet, and sometimes a router for custom rail holes in posts. Aluminum and steel ornamental panels need a metal-cutting blade, touch-up paint for cut ends, and the manufacturer's brackets and screws. Always follow the system maker's installation guide, as warranties often depend on it.
Tools for farm fencing
Long rural runs call for different gear: a manual or hydraulic post driver for steel T-posts or wood posts, a wire unroller or spinning jenny, a wire stretcher, crimping tools and sleeves, and a fencing plier. Tractor-mounted augers and post pounders save days on big jobs. Many farm supply stores rent or loan equipment.
Measuring and checking tools
A long level or post level, a string line and line level, and a 3-4-5 triangle check keep a fence straight and plumb. A laser level speeds work on long runs and slopes. Check plumb on two faces of every post before footings set, and recheck after the first hour.
Keeping tools in good shape
Clean concrete off tools before it hardens. Sharpen post-hole digger blades and keep auger bits free of mud. Store treated-lumber offcuts responsibly; do not burn them.
Tool budget example
A basic DIY wood fence kit, if you own no tools, might include a post-hole digger, digging bar, levels, string, a circular saw and a drill. Prices vary; list what you already own first and rent the expensive items. Add these costs to the "other" field in the fence cost calculator.
Rent or buy?
Rent items you will use once (power auger, post driver, compressor and nailer). Buy items you will use again (levels, drill, saw, tape). Compare rental fees across a full weekend versus a day, and book ahead in spring when demand peaks. Ask the rental shop for a safety briefing on augers, which can twist hard when they hit roots or rock.
Final checklist
Before day one: locates confirmed, tools gathered, rentals booked, materials delivered and checked against your list, and a helper lined up for post setting.
Disposal
Old fence boards, concrete chunks and treated wood often need special disposal; check municipal rules.
Borrowing
Neighbours and tool libraries can lend single-use tools.
Label borrowed tools and return them clean, with blades and bits intact.
Keep a small kit of spare screws and touch-up stain for future repairs.
FAQ
What size auger bit?
Match hole diameter to your plan (often three times post width); see how deep fence posts.
Can I set posts without concrete?
Some builders use compacted gravel; follow local practice.
Do I need a nail gun?
No, screws work; nailers are faster.
What about chain-link counts?
Use the chain link fence calculator.
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