ArcaMax

Have something to hide on your property? A lattice enclosure is an attractive way to conceal anything from an old oil or gas tank to large garbage cans to kid’s yard toys. Plastic lattice panels create good-looking cover-ups, and the material is durable and maintenance-free.

You’ll find lattice panels at garden and home and lumber centers in a variety of colors — white, green, gray, and others — and sold in 4-foot-by-8-foot panels. You can finish the edges of the enclosure with matching molded U-shaped channels that frame the panels using screws. The material can be easily cut with a handsaw, so it’s a good first-time carpentry project for a beginner.

A carpenter will charge $446, which includes labor and material, to build an 8-foot-high, L-shaped enclosure that measures 4 feet by 8 feet. You can buy the materials for $170, build it yourself and save 62%. The materials include the lattice panels, channels, non-rusting or stainless screws, crushed stone for a base and 4-by-4 rot-resistant lumber for the three posts.

Digging the post holes is the most strenuous part of the job, so consider renting a post hole digger to make the job easier. For tools, you need a measuring tape, a handsaw, an electric drill and a shovel. Tip: Predrill all the screw holes for a professional looking job.

Pro Cost: $446 — DIY Cost: $170 — Pro time: 10.4 DIY Time; 16.0 — DIY Savings: $276 — Percent Saved: 62%

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2026 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.