The Essential List of Must-Have Tools for a Handyman Business
Learn about the must-have tools for handyman work. Discover which tools you need and get tips for building a professional toolkit you can rely on.
Calling all fence contractors! Demand is strong and the work is plentiful. In 2025, the industry is expected to hit $14.8 billion, with 2.3% growth expected in the coming year.
Despite this, margins are tight. Labor is getting harder to find. But where there’s challenge, there’s opportunity. Contractors who deliver quality gain a competitive edge.
And that quality starts with the tools you bring to the job.
The right fence equipment improves your work. The fences you build last longer and stand strong against wear and tear.
They also make the job easier. You know all too well just how physically demanding building fences can be. Fit-for-purpose tools can reduce fatigue and keep you safer on-site.
So, which tools are worth your hard-earned cash? This is your ultimate fencing tools list.
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10 Fencing Tools for Post Digging and Fence Repair
If you’re building a fence from scratch, you’ll need to dig out the ground for a post. The same installation tools can be used for fence repairs, too.
1. Post Hole Digger
Digging holes for posts can be tricky. They need to be pretty narrow and deep, but you don’t want to tear up the surrounding area. This can weaken the finished fence.
A post hole digger is the answer.
Buying tip: Choose one with reinforced steel blades and cushioned grips.
2. Clamshell Digger
This piece of fence equipment makes handling loose or sandy soil much easier and faster. It’ll save your back, too, when you remove old posts or clear away spilled concrete.
3. Tamper
A post that does its job is secured solidly in place. A tamper compacts backfill like soil or gravel. It makes sure the post doesn’t wriggle out of place over time.
4. Shovel
You’ll use a shovel on almost every job. A square-point design gives you cleaner edges. In contrast, a pointed shovel helps you cut into tough ground.
Buying tip: Invest in one with a forged steel head. It’ll hold up longer.
FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: The Top 6 Fence Post Hole Shovels
5. Fence Pliers
These pliers are made just for fence contractors like you. You can cut wire, pull staples, grip tension bands, and hammer small nails.
6. Wire Crimping Tool
A wire crimper makes clean, tight joins as you run tension wire or repair chain links.
Buying tip: Make sure your crimper matches the wire gauges you work with most often. Some are better for heavy-duty jobs, and others for light repairs.
7. Hacksaw
Power tools are handy, but they’re not always necessary. A hacksaw can do the job just as well—even better if you’re working in a tight spot.
8. Chainsaw
Before you can build a fence, you need a blank slate. Few tools can clear away greenery or cut down an old, wooden fence faster than a chainsaw.
Just be sure to invest in one with a chain brake.
9. Electric Screwdriver/Impact Driver
An impact driver or electric screwdriver speeds up repetitive tasks like fastening fence panels. This means less hand fatigue by the end of the working day.
Think about purchasing a rechargeable model. Adjustable torque settings are also a bonus.
10. Claw Hammer
Maybe claw hammers seem a bit old-school. There are so many innovative fence tools on the market. But when you add one to your toolbox, you’ll reach for it over and over.
A claw hammer makes short work of pulling out nails and tapping in hardware. It’s even useful when setting stakes.
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5 Wire Tensioning & Electric Fence Tools
You’ve positioned your fence posts straight as an arrow. Your gates swing perfectly clean. But if your wire is slack, your fence will fail.
When it comes to electric fences, bad tension means poor conductivity. Poor conductivity means a fence that doesn’t do what it’s supposed to.
Your clients aren’t satisfied, and your reputation takes a hit.
Get the right tools, and you get the job done right—every time.
1. Fence Tensioner
A fence tensioner lets you pull tension wire tight and hold it in place while you secure it. It’s a staple for high-tensile fencing and long perimeter runs.
Buying tip: Look for a heavy-duty model with smooth-release gearing. Cheap ratchets can jam or wear down fast under real load.
2. Come-Along
A come-along works as a portable hand winch. You anchor it, attach it to the wire, and crank.
It’s a lifesaver when you’re working alone, too. You can hold the tension yourself while you staple or tie off.
3. Wire Stretcher
A wire stretcher pulls fencing wire tight without damaging the strands. Unlike a come-along, which pulls from a single point, a wire stretcher grips evenly. You won’t crimp or kink the wire.
4. Electric Fence Tester
This small handheld device tells you instantly whether current is flowing through your electric fence and how strong it is. It helps you pinpoint dead sections, shorts, or weak pulses before they turn into problems (AKA, customer callbacks).
Buying tip: Choose a tester that displays voltage, not just a pass/fail light.
5. Electric Fence Insulators
Insulators keep your electric fence wire from grounding out on posts. They suspend the wire away from contact.
Ideally, use UV-resistant plastic or ceramic insulators matched to your fence type.
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4 Measuring Tools for Fencing
You know how the saying goes: measure twice and cut once.
Posts that are uneven or off-square lead to sagging sections, crooked lines, wasted time, and unhappy customers.
1. String Line
A string line gives you a straight visual reference for setting posts or panels. You anchor it between two stakes and use it to check alignment as you work.
No more eyeballing every post!
2. Tape Measure
You need precise spacing between posts and panels. A sturdy tape measure ensures your layout stays consistent across the full run. It’s one of the most-used tools on any fence job.
Buying tip: Get a tape with high-contrast markings and a heavy-duty case. You’ll use it daily, and the cheap ones rarely last.
3. Post Level
A post level wraps around your fence post and gives you a read from both directions at once. It’s faster than checking with a standard level and more accurate when setting posts in concrete.
You’ll catch leaning posts before they dry—and save yourself from redigging later.
4. Marking Paint or Chalk
Before you dig, mark your layout. A can of upside-down spray paint or a box of contractor’s chalk lets you outline where the elements of your fence will go.
4 Business Management Tools for Fence Contractors
It’s not just the quality of your work that gets you the next job. It’s the way your business runs and how your customers feel.
They don’t see your crew’s early mornings or your field adjustments. They see whether the quote arrived on time. They notice whether or not the invoice makes sense. They feel valued when communication is clear from start to finish.
That part matters more than most contractors think. In fact, 80% of customers say the experience a company provides is just as important as its services.
What’s more, 88% say good customer service makes them more likely to buy again.
These tools help you get the customer experience and business management side right.
1. Bookkeeping Integration Tools
Bookkeeping eats time. A bookkeeping integration tool like Joist’s QuickBooks Sync automates the process. That means no more chasing receipts or sorting expenses after hours.
This software also keeps your financials organized and ready for tax season.
Buying tip: Make sure the app you choose syncs with your accountant’s system. Not every platform plays nice with third-party tools.
2. Mobile Estimating Software
A fast quote can win business. A quote that takes days (or weeks) can motivate a prospect to take their job elsewhere.
Mobile estimating software lets you build and send estimates on-site from your phone or tablet. You won’t lose jobs because the client “went with someone else who got back faster.”
Better yet, it makes your estimates look more professional. Clients will know exactly what they’re paying for. It’s this kind of pricing transparency that wins trust—and loyalty.
3. Invoicing Software
Following up on late payments is awkward. But sending clean, professional invoices isn’t.
With Joist’s invoicing feature, you can create and send detailed invoices in minutes. Follow-ups happen automatically, too. That’s one less thing on your to-do list.
Buying tip: Use invoicing software that lets clients pay using their preferred method.
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4. Customer Communication Tools
Customers want to be kept in the loop. They want updates, and they want you to be a proactive communicator.
A customer relationship management (CRM) system or basic project tracking tool brings all interactions under one roof.
You can track who approved what. You can see a customer’s full history and give them a more personalized experience.
5 Tips for Fencing Tools Maintenance and Safety
Keep the gear on this fencing tools list in top shape and protect yourself with these tips:
- Wipe down tools after every job to prevent rust and grit buildup.
- Sharpen blades and cutting edges weekly.
- Store power tools off the ground in a dry, enclosed space. This protects against moisture damage.
- Check cords and batteries regularly for wear or poor charge performance.
- Always wear gloves and eye protection when using impact, cutting, or powered tools.