DIY or Pro Install? What You Need to Know Before You Start

Thinking about installing your new screen, gate, or custom build yourself? Or maybe you’ve got a builder or landscaper lined up? Either way, here’s what to know before you get started.

At Incision, every job is custom. That means every install is different. Some are simple enough to do yourself. Others, especially gates and fences are best left to the pros. This guide will help you figure out what’s right for you.

1. Working With a Pro

This is the smoothest option, especially for:

• Gates and fences

• Complex layouts

• Projects needing concrete, posts, or tricky access

We work closely with builders, landscapers, and architects.  If you’ve got a tradesperson, we’ll work with them to get your design just right. If you don’t, and are in Hawkes Bay, we can recommend someone.

Your builder will:

• Measure everything up

• Sort out clearances, levels, and swing direction, rollers all the things

• Tell us exactly what to make

No back and forth. No guesswork. Just a job done well.

2. Doing It Yourself

DIY is great if:

• You’re handy on the tools

• It’s a straightforward screen or feature

• You’re on a tighter budget

But here’s the deal: we need accurate info before we can start. That means:

• Clear measurements (widths, heights, post locations, etc.)

• Any site photos if things are tricky

• Your design and finish choice

Once we’ve got that, we’ll send you a scaled drawing. You check and confirm. Then we make it and ship it out.

3. Gates and Fences: A Bit More Involved

Gates and fences are different. Every one is custom-built. They need exact details to work properly, and we don’t install them.

The best option? Get a builder or fencing pro involved early. They’ll:

• Plan the setup with you

• Work out hinge side, latch location, post type, gate frame size, and more

• Send us a rough sketch with all the info

We’ll then build the gate or fence to match their specs, with your screen design included.

4. Finish Options

Whatever you’re installing, you’ve got a few choices when it comes to finish:

• Powder-coated (your colour choice)

• Corten (rusted finish)

• Raw (you paint it yourself)

Some customers like to paint it to match their own style. That’s fine too, just let us know up front.

5. DIY? Here’s What We Need to Start

If you’re going the DIY route, we need:

• Exact gap size (height and width)

• Your screen design and preferred finish

• Post locations and any slopes or concrete nibs

• Gate details if relevant: swing direction, single or double, drop pins, etc.

• Location for latches, hinges, and locks

• Clear confirmation on final drawings

To make it easy, we’ve set up a quick form. Just fill it out with your project details and we’ll be back in touch for any more specs we need.

Fill out the form here

We can’t quote or start without this info. The more detail you give, the smoother the process.

You dream it we we’ll make it ⚙️🎨