How to Build a Fence In 10 Sort of Simple Steps
Whether you’re wondering how to build a fence because you’re planning to hire someone or because you want to tackle it as a DIY project, and whether you’re interested in chain link fence, wood fence, or something else if you’re not in the fence business, it’s probably a bit of a mystery.
Fences are one of those things that just kind of fade into the background. Until you start thinking you might need one. If you’re wondering how to build a fence, we’ve broken it down into some (not always so simple steps.) Here’s what you need to know.
1. Identify Your Fence Line
If you have an existing fence and you’re sure it’s on your property line, then this step in the process of how to build a fence will be pretty simple.
However, if you don’t have a fence, you aren’t sure it’s in the right place, or you aren’t even sure exactly where your property line is, you might need to consult your site plan, find your boundary pegs or even hire a surveyor.
It’s very important that you know exactly where your fence will go so that you can properly do everything else on our how-to-build-a-fence checklist.
2. Choose Your Fence Type and Design
Once you start going down the fence rabbit hole, you’re going to realize very quickly that there are many, many different types of fences.
There are different fence materials, heights, and security levels. Some fences have vertical pickets, and others have horizontal boards. There are different wall thicknesses, wire gauges, and more.
Before you can move on to the next step in the process of how to build a fence, you need to decide on your fence type, design, and specification.
Not only does this help when searching for fence suppliers, but different fence types also have different post spacing, footing requirements, and more. So you need to know what kind of fence you’re installing before you can move on.
3. Measure Your Fence Line
Next on our list of how to build a fence musts is measuring your fence line.
You could switch this around with number 2, but there are a few reasons why I don’t like to do that.
Firstly, you need to know what kind of fence you will be installing to know how you are going to tackle challenging sections of your fence.
Second, some fences come with standard-size gates, so you might have to calculate your fence line dimensions around that. You might also have to deviate your fence line around some site features if you install certain kinds of fence.
I just find it easier to measure and draw my fence layout when I know what will be installed.
4. Do Your Material Take Off
Once you know what kind of fence you will be installing and where it’s going, the next thing you need to do is a material takeoff.
Every fence project is different, and while you already know the standard specifications for your chosen fence type and style, your fence will not be exactly to those specifications.
You will need corners, end posts and gate posts. You might have stepped or sloped sections, and you might have some parts of your fence in concrete footings and some installed with baseplates.
You will need to account for all of those things in your calculations so that you can order the right amount of material from your fence supplier.
5. Clear and Level Your Fence Line
The next step in the process of how to install a fence while you wait for your material to arrive is to clear and level your fence line.
This usually means cutting back vegetation, removing debris and obstacles on the fence line, and possibly taking down and removing an existing fence from the fence line.
If your fence line is very irregular, you might also want to smooth it out by doing a little cut and fill, but if you do disturb the dirt along the fence line, remember that you will need to compact it before you install your new fence, to avoid excessive settling.
6. Do Locates and Mark Services
In a perfect world, there would be nothing under your fence line that would be dangerous or difficult to install your fence around. Sadly, we don’t live in a perfect world!
Most residential and commercial fence lines have some kind of underground issues, whether it’s electrical or telecommunications cables, gas lines, plumbing, or something else.
Having a locator spend time on your fence line, finding and marking services so you can avoid them during your fence installation is an extra step, but it could save you thousands, and in the case of electricity and gas, it could literally save your life. Don’t skip this step!
7. Set Out Your Fence
The next step in our guide to how to install a fence is to set out your fence lines.
This is a term that means measuring and marking the position of your fence posts so that you know exactly where to dig your holes and place your posts.
This is especially important when you are installing a panel fence, where each section will have a fixed width.
Measure and mark all of the post positions on your fence line before you start digging or installing posts. This makes it easier to make any adjustments you need before you get started.
8. Dig Post Holes
Unless you’re installing a base-plated fence, pounding your fence posts or using something special like screw piles, chances are your fence posts will be installed in concrete. But first, you will have to dig your post holes.
In most cases, your post holes need to be at least three times the diameter of the post, but the depth of your footings will vary based on the fence type, soil type, frost lines, and other factors.
Fence post holes can be hand dug, but this is a big job if you have a lot of posts to install.
It’s often easier to use an augur to dig post holes, whether it’s hand-held or machine mounted.
You can also use special excavation methods like hydro vac for fence post holes, but remember that some of them make much bigger holes so you will need more concrete, and it will cost more all around.
You’ll have to dispose of the dirt that comes out of post holes too. Sometimes, this can be spread out or used to create a raised bed, but that really depends on the site.
9. Install Your Fence
Finally! We get to step 9 in our guide to how to install a fence, and it’s time to get the fence posts in the ground.
You’ll always want to start by installing your fence posts and leave them for a day or two so the concrete has time to harden.
Then start installing your fence, leaving any panels that need to be cut or customized for last if possible. If you’re installing a mesh fence, you can’t do this, though, because you have to strain from one tension post to another.
Different fences have different installation methods, so you will need to refer to the manufacturer’s information to figure out the right process for your fence.
10. Hang Your Gates
Hanging gates is usually the last thing you do on any fence project. This leaves openings to access the fence line and site, and allows you to ensure that everything is installed in the right place, to the right height and so on.
Much More Complicated Than Most People Think
As you can see from this guide to how to install a fence, there’s a lot more to this seemingly simple construction project than meets the eye.
It takes skill and experience, as well as some specialist tools and, sometimes, creativity, to install a fence.
If you’re not completely sure this is a project you can tackle yourself, the best advice is always to hire a pro, even if you save some money by buying your own materials and hiring a labor-only installer to get the job done.
You might spend a little more on the installation, but you could save yourself a bundle!
