String It Up Fencing offers agricultural fencing services

Philip Tuckosh has spent most of his life around agriculture and construction, and now he is using both backgrounds through String It Up Fencing to help area landowners with a practical need: building and repairing farm fencing.

Tuckosh, who grew up on a dairy farm in Kilgore and still farms today in Mechanicstown, said he has worked construction since 2009. About three years ago, he began doing fencing work more seriously after taking on a few small, part-time jobs.

“It’s kind of one of those things, I had the equipment to do it, and I had some friends that knew that I’d done it on the side,” Tuckosh said. “So they recommended me to other people. It just spiraled from there.”

He said word-of-mouth has continued to drive the business, including referrals from Amish friends and customers who pass his name along when they are happy with a job.

Tuckosh works alongside his son, Paden, and said his other son, Arlen, helps out when an extra hand is needed. He said he hopes to expand in the future by adding equipment and possibly taking on additional agriculture-related work, including brush hogging and other property maintenance needs.

For now, the focus remains on fencing, and Tuckosh said if it’s related to agriculture, he is willing to take a look through String It Up Fencing.

“We do board fence, woven wire, barbed wire, high tensile as well as any horse fences,” he said. “Basically, if it’s related to agriculture, we will do it.”

He also handles repairs, whether he installed the fence or not, and said he makes himself available for emergency repair work after storms, which he typically posts about on the String It Up Fencing Facebook page when severe weather hits.

Tuckosh said one of the most common requests he has seen recently has been horse fencing, often using woven wire. He added that demand shifts year to year. When he first started, he said much of the work was high-tensile wire for cattle, but as more people learned about the business, he began receiving more woven wire and horse fence requests.

Beyond the work, Tuckosh said the people are what he enjoys most.

“The people that I meet is what I enjoy the most about this work, they’re just such wonderful people,” he said. “Whether they’re my customer or not, just getting to meet people and being able to talk to different people and seeing different ideas that people have.”

He said that often includes helping customers choose the right fence for their needs. Some landowners know they want a fence but are unsure what type works best for their animals or property.

“They just saw somebody’s fence driving down the road and they want that, but it doesn't really suit their needs,” Tuckosh said. “I can help them pick something that suits their individual needs.”

Weather and ground conditions can also play a major role in how smoothly a job goes. Tuckosh said he avoids working when the ground is extremely muddy because he does not want to tear up a customer’s property, though sometimes the work has to be done regardless. Soil types across the county can also create challenges.

“I’ve got a winch and everything. We can winch the equipment through and get it done,” he said, adding that in especially rough conditions he can bring a tractor to help pull equipment through.

While the business works year-round, he said the easiest time for many jobs is typically spring from March until June because the moisture in the ground makes the jobs a lot easier.

The length of a job varies depending on size and conditions, from a single day to up to two weeks. Tuckosh said the goal is always to get in, complete the work efficiently and be respectful of the landowner.

That respect, he said, comes from his own farming experience. Tuckosh said he has a small farm in the Mechanicstown area with Angus cattle and hay.

“That’s probably why I’m more respectful when I go to a farm, and I don’t want to tear it up,” he said. “I know what it’s like to drive a tractor across big ruts.”

When it comes to pricing, Tuckosh said he does his best to keep costs manageable. He said materials have become expensive, but he does not upcharge materials, instead charging what he pays suppliers along with a daily labor rate.

“I do my best to keep my prices as low as I possibly can,” he said.

He said he uses local suppliers and has not run into issues getting the materials needed once a job is scheduled.

Tuckosh said he is licensed and insured, offers free quotes and can be reached by call or text, which he prefers, as well as Facebook Messenger, though he noted Messenger messages can sometimes come through late. He serves Carroll and surrounding counties. Tuckosh also said he offers discounts for senior citizens and military members and that he warranties his work.

And for Tuckosh, one of the best parts of the job is seeing the work after it’s done.

“It is nice to drive by,” he said. “And it’s really nice when you get a phone call and whoever is calling you says that a previous customer recommended you.”