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Best Equipment for Fence Installation: What to Rent for an Easier Project

Best Equipment for Fence Installation: What to Rent for an Easier Project

Skip the big purchase and get the right fence installation equipment for the weekend

Installing a fence, whether it's a hundred feet of wood picket around a backyard or a full perimeter of chain link for a commercial lot, comes down to a handful of jobs done well: digging straight holes, setting posts in solid concrete, and finishing the ground around them. Buying an auger, a mixer, and a compactor for a one-time project rarely makes sense financially. Renting fence installation equipment gets you contractor-grade tools for the days you actually need them, at a fraction of retail cost, with delivery or pickup available from local providers near your job site.

Fence Installation Equipment Rental: Common Questions

How much does it cost to rent a post hole digger or auger for a fence?
One-person gas augers typically rent for $50 to $90 per day or $150 to $250 per week. Two-person augers with more power run a bit higher, often $70 to $120 per day. Skid steer auger attachments are priced separately from the skid steer itself and usually add $40 to $80 per day. Manual post hole diggers are the cheapest option, often under $30 per day, and are a good fit for a handful of posts in soft soil.
Do I need a skid steer to dig fence post holes, or is an auger enough?
For most residential fences with 20 to 60 posts, a handheld one or two-person auger is enough and much easier to transport than a skid steer. If you're digging through rocky, clay-heavy, or compacted soil, or setting posts for a long commercial run, a skid steer with a post hole digger attachment saves significant time and effort. Many providers rent the attachment and skid steer together as a package.
How many bags of concrete do I need per fence post, and can I rent a mixer?
A standard 4x4 post set 2 feet deep typically needs one to two 50-pound bags of quick-set concrete. For larger builds, mixing by hand gets tedious fast, and renting a concrete mixer speeds up the process considerably and gives more consistent results than bag-and-bucket mixing on site.
Should I choose delivery or pickup for fence installation equipment?
For heavier items like skid steers, plate compactors, or trailer-mounted augers, delivery is worth the added fee since loading and unloading solo can be difficult and risky. For lighter items like a manual post hole digger or a one-person auger, picking up from a nearby provider is usually cheaper and just as convenient.
Is a deposit required to rent fence tools?
Most providers require a refundable deposit or a credit card hold, especially for gas-powered or attachment equipment. Deposit amounts vary by item value and provider, so check the specific listing for details before booking.
How long does a typical fence installation rental last?
Daily and weekend rentals cover most DIY fence projects, since digging, setting, and curing usually spans one to three days of active tool use. Contractors working larger jobs or multiple properties often book by the week for better daily rates on augers, mixers, and compactors.
Do I need a trailer to haul fence panels and equipment?
If you're transporting fence panels, posts, gravel, or a rented skid steer, a trailer rental makes the logistics much simpler than multiple truck bed trips. Many providers offer utility and equipment trailers by the day, and pairing a trailer rental with your other equipment can often be arranged through the same local provider.

Digging Post Holes: Manual, Powered, and Skid Steer Options

The auger or post hole digger you choose depends on soil conditions, the number of posts, and how much muscle you're willing to put in. For small jobs in loose or sandy soil, a manual auger post hole digger gets the job done without gas or noise, and it's the cheapest fence tool you can rent by far.

For most residential fence lines, a powered auger is the sweet spot between speed and control. A 1-man hydraulic post hole digger works well for someone comfortable running gas equipment solo, while an 11hp auger post hole digger built for two people gives more control and torque when the soil fights back, since one person can steady the machine while the other manages depth and direction.

For larger fence construction jobs, rocky ground, or long commercial runs, a skid steer post hole digger attachment mounted on a rented skid steer digs holes in a fraction of the time it takes by hand. It's a bigger equipment rental commitment, but for 50-plus post holes it usually pays for itself in saved labor hours.

Choosing the Right Auger Size for Your Fence Posts

Auger diameter matters more than people expect. Too narrow and your post wobbles without enough concrete around it; too wide and you're mixing and pouring more concrete than the job needs. Standard 4x4 and 6x6 wood posts typically call for an 8 to 12 inch auger bit, while larger structural or gate posts may need 16 to 18 inches for proper concrete coverage and frost-line stability.

Skid steer-compatible augers come in a range of sizes to match, from a 12-inch skid steer auger suited to standard residential fence posts up to an 18-inch skid steer auger for heavy gate posts or larger structural footings. Confirm the bit size available before booking so it matches your post dimensions and local frost depth requirements.

Setting Posts: Concrete Mixers and Backfill Compaction

Once holes are dug, setting posts securely is what keeps a fence standing straight for years instead of leaning after the first storm. For anything beyond a handful of posts, a concrete mixer rental turns a slow, arm-tiring process into a steady workflow: pour, mix, pour, set. This matters most on longer fence lines where consistent concrete mix and timing between posts affects how straight the finished line looks.

After posts are set and concrete has cured, a plate compactor rental helps firm up the backfill soil or gravel base around post footings and along any walkway or gate area disturbed during digging. Skipping compaction is a common reason fence posts shift or settle unevenly within the first year.

Moving Materials: Trailers and Hauling Equipment

Fence panels, pressure-treated posts, bags of concrete, and gravel add up to a lot of weight and volume, more than most pickup truck beds handle in a single trip. A trailer rental lets you haul materials and equipment together in one run, which matters if you're renting a skid steer or auger from a provider a few towns over from your job site.

When budgeting delivery versus pickup for fence installation equipment, factor in whether you'll also need a trailer for materials. Some providers offer trailer and equipment rentals as a bundle, which can simplify both logistics and cost.

Rounding Out Your Fence Building Toolkit

Beyond digging and concrete work, a few smaller fence building tools make the finish work go faster: a string line and stakes for keeping posts aligned, a post level for plumb checks, a hand tamper for smaller compaction spots the plate compactor can't reach, and a circular saw or miter saw for cutting pickets and rails to length. Most of these smaller items rent cheaply by the day and pair well with whichever digging and concrete equipment you've already booked, so it's worth checking what a local provider offers as add-ons before booking separate pickups.

Fence Post Hole Digging Equipment: Which One Fits Your Job

Match the auger or digger type to your soil, post count, and crew size before you book.

Equipment TypeBest ForTypical Daily RateCrew Size
Manual auger post hole diggerA handful of posts in soft, loose soil$20 to $301 person
1-man gas or hydraulic augerStandard residential fence lines, moderate soil$50 to $801 person
2-man gas auger (11hp)Denser soil, longer fence runs, extra control$70 to $1202 people
Skid steer post hole digger attachmentLarge jobs, rocky or compacted soil, commercial fencing$40 to $80 (plus skid steer rental)1 to 2 people

Find Fence Installation Equipment Near You

From augers and post hole diggers to skid steers, concrete mixers, and plate compactors, browse local providers offering the equipment rentals you need to get your fence project done right, on your schedule.

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