Should You Own the Gear or Rent the Power?
Building a fence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is a labor-intensive investment. One of the most common questions we hear at the Fence Supply Inc. yard is: “Is it worth it to buy these tools, or should I just rent them for the weekend?”
In the North Texas “Blackland” clay, the answer usually depends on the size of your lot and how many gates you plan to build. Here is our professional breakdown of when to invest in ownership and when to let the rental yard handle the maintenance.
1. Digging Equipment: The Power Auger
The soil in Forney, Wylie, and Rockwall is notorious for being “concrete-hard” in the summer and “sticky-gum” in the winter.
- Rent It If: You have a standard suburban lot (60–100 linear feet). A one-man or two-man gas auger costs roughly $80–$120 per day to rent. Since you’ll only use it once every 15 years, renting is the logical choice.
- Buy It If: You own multiple rental properties or a large acreage estate where you anticipate building in phases.
- The “Pro” Move: For jobs with more than 30 holes, rent a Skid-Steer (Dingo) with an auger attachment. It will save your back and finish a day’s worth of manual digging in two hours.
2. Fastening: Pneumatic Nailers
Using a hammer to drive 1,500 stainless steel nails into #1 Grade Western Red Cedar is a recipe for “worker fatigue” and crooked pickets.
- Rent It If: You are a true one-time DIYer. Most local rental houses carry coil fence nailers for $40–$60 per day.
- Buy It If: You plan on building a deck, a shed, or helping a neighbor with their fence later this year. A quality fence nailer costs $250–$400.
- The Secret: If you buy, you also need an air compressor and 100 feet of hose. If you don’t already own a compressor, the “Rental” route is much more cost-effective.
3. Layout: Levels and Measuring
Precision is the hallmark of a professional-grade fence.
- Buy It (Always): Tools like Post Levels, Line Levels, and 100-foot Tape Measures are inexpensive ($10–$30) and essential for maintenance. You will use these for years to check if your gates are sagging or if your posts have shifted after a heavy North Texas rain.
4. Cutting: Miter Saws vs. Circular Saws
You will need to trim 2×4 rails and 2×6 rot boards to fit your specific post spacing.
- Buy It: If you don’t own a Circular Saw, now is the time to buy one. A decent corded model is under $100 and is the “Swiss Army Knife” of home improvement.
- Rent It: Only rent a Slide Miter Saw if you are doing high-end “Estate Grade” trim work or custom gate designs that require complex 45-degree angle cuts.
Summary Table: Rent vs. Buy Comparison
| Tool | Approx. Rental Cost | Approx. Purchase Cost | The Recommendation |
| Gas Power Auger | $90 / Day | $600+ | RENT |
| Coil Nailer | $50 / Day | $300 | RENT (Unless doing 200+ ft) |
| Air Compressor | $40 / Day | $150–$300 | BUY (Useful for tires/other tools) |
| Post/Line Levels | N/A | $15 | BUY |
| Concrete Mixer | $70 / Day | $350 | RENT (For 50+ bags of concrete) |
Pro-Tip: The “Time vs. Money” Calculation
Before you head to the rental yard, remember that rental clocks don’t stop.
- Set all your string lines and mark your holes with white paint the day before you rent the auger.
- Have your 2-3/8″ Galvanized Steel Posts and concrete delivered to your driveway before the rental starts.
- This ensures you only pay for a 24-hour rental instead of a three-day “oops, I wasn’t ready” fee.
Ready to Build?
We provide the professional-grade materials that make these tools worth using. Whether you’re renting a power auger or swinging a hammer, starting with #1 Grade Western Red Cedar ensures your hard work lasts for decades.
