Basic List of Tools Needed for Different Fence Styles
Different fence materials call for different tools. Here's what actually goes into each one.
We get asked from time to time what it actually takes, tool-wise, to build a fence. The honest answer is it depends heavily on the material — a wood fence and a farm and ranch wire fence share almost no tools in common. Here's a rundown by category.
Tools for wood fencing
A wood fence build typically calls for a post hole digger or auger, a circular saw for cutting posts, rails, and pickets to length, a claw hammer or framing nailer, a level for both posts and rail lines, a tape measure, and a power drill for pilot holes and fasteners. Basic safety gear — gloves and eye protection at minimum — covers the cutting and fastening work.
Tools for metal and chain-link fencing
Chain-link and other metal fencing installs use a different toolkit built around tensioning and fastening fabric or panels rather than cutting lumber: a fence stretcher and come-along for pulling chain-link fabric to correct tension, fence pliers for cutting and twisting tie wire, a wrench set for post and rail hardware, bolt cutters for trimming fabric, and a level for keeping posts and top rail true.
Tools for ornamental fencing and gates
Installing ornamental metal fencing and gates usually adds mounting and hardware tools to the mix — concrete mixing tools for setting posts, a post level, a socket or wrench set for panel and hardware assembly, and precise measuring tools since ornamental panels are less forgiving of small gaps than wood or wire fencing. Gate hardware installation, especially for a gate opener, adds basic electrical tools to the list as well.
Tools for farm and ranch fencing
Farm and ranch fencing — barbed wire, field fence, cattle and hog panels, T-posts — relies on a different set of specialized equipment: a post driver or pounder for setting T-posts, wire stretchers for tensioning barbed wire or woven wire, fencing pliers for cutting and splicing wire, a come-along for pulling wire and posts into line, and a post hole digger or auger for wood corner and brace posts.
Safety equipment across every fence type
Regardless of material, a few things belong on every job: work gloves, eye protection, sturdy boots, and hearing protection when power tools are involved. Barbed wire and chain-link fabric in particular are hard on unprotected hands, and post-setting equipment carries its own set of risks if used carelessly.
When to call a professional instead
Owning the right tools is only part of the job — getting post depth, spacing, and tension right takes experience, and a mistake on a corner brace or a buried gate opener wire isn't cheap to fix after the fact. For anything beyond a short DIY repair, it's usually worth getting a professional estimate rather than assembling a full tool set for a one-time project.
Frequently asked questions
What's the most important tool for setting fence posts?
A post hole digger or auger for wood and farm-style posts, or a post driver for T-posts. Getting depth and spacing right matters more than any other single step in the build.
Do I need different tools for chain-link versus wood fencing?
Yes, almost entirely different tool sets. Wood fencing is built around cutting and fastening lumber, while chain-link relies on tensioning and fastening fabric with a stretcher, come-along, and fence pliers.
Is it worth buying specialized fencing tools for a small project?
For a small repair, sometimes. For a full fence build, the tool investment plus the learning curve on things like corner bracing and wire tension often costs more than a professional install by the time it's done.