How to Build a Fence: 5 Tips for Building a DIY Fence

A fence is a structure that serves several purposes for specific areas on residential and commercial property. A fence can enclose an outdoor space, like a yard or garden, and provide privacy and security for homeowners and property owners. A fence can also direct and control the movement of children, pets, and livestock within an area, demarcate a property line, or add aesthetic value to the property it encloses.

A fence is typically manmade and composed of fence posts connected by various materials, including wood, metal, and vinyl. A fence differs from a wall or other similar structures because it does not have a solid foundation that runs along its entire length. While a handyperson or contractor can typically handle fence construction, some homeowners may wish to tackle the installation as a do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement project with the right tools and precautions.

There are a few different types of fences available to property owners:

1. 1. Chain-link: A chain-like fence is a type of metal fence constructed from galvanized steel wire woven into a diamond-shaped pattern across the fence panels. Chain-like fences, also known as hurricane or cyclone fences, are frequently used as security fences or at parks and outdoor recreational areas.
2. 2. Picket fence: One of the most popular fence styles for homes, a picket fence is composed of vertical boards known as pickets, spaced evenly on horizontal fence rails. Made from either wood or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), picket fences are a nostalgic symbol of suburban American life.
3. 3. Privacy fence: A privacy fence uses fence height and fence materials to obscure a given property from onlookers while also adding a decorative element to the area. Privacy fences can be stone, concrete, brick, vinyl, or wooden, each offering different degrees of privacy.

Here are some tips homeowners should consider before launching a fence project:

1. 1. Check for codes and permits. Consult your local homeowner’s association to determine if you need to meet any building codes or obtain building permits before launching your DIY fence project. There may be codes in your town or city that list guidelines for fence style, fence size, and post locations.
2. 2. Choose your fence. Before you start your fence project, you need to consider the reason for installing it, so you can find the best style that aligns with your needs. Reasons for adding a new fence can range from privacy and security to weather-shielding and keeping children and animals inside property lines.
3. 3. Know your property lines. You also need to determine the exact location of your property lines before you start fence construction. If you don’t have a house plat, a map showing your boundaries and property size, you can obtain that information from your local assessor’s office. If possible, discuss any fence ideas with your neighbors to avoid property disputes.
4. 4. Locate and mark utility lines. Any number of underground utility lines, including lines for gas, water, power, sewer, and telecommunications, can be located under the proposed site of your new fence. To avoid damaging these lines, inconveniencing yourself and your neighbors, and even possibly incurring injuries, locate and mark your utility lines before starting the project. Contact your utility companies if you need assistance locating these lines.
5. 5. Measure and plot the fence area. Use a tape measure or measuring wheel to measure the entire fence line, including fence gates. Subtract the length of the gates from the total footage and divide by the size of your fence panels to determine how many panels you’ll need.

Here is a step-by-step guide for building a fence:

1. 1. Lay out the fence posts. Use a string line and batter boards to outline the perimeter of the fence. Mark your fence post positions by spacing them every six to eight feet along the fence line with spray paint.
2. 2. Dig the holes. With a shovel or post hole digger, dig your holes according to post size and code. Post hole diameters should be approximately three times the width of the post. Some building codes may require you to dig holes below the frost line to prevent the ground from pushing up the posts during a freeze; a power auger can help in this case.
3. 3. Set posts. Pour three to four inches of gravel into the post holes, and tamp or pack the gravel with the end of the post. Set the post in the middle of the hole and then add the dry concrete mix to within six inches of ground level. Use a level to make sure the post is plumb or vertically straight; hold them in place with braces until the concrete is dry (usually several days).
4. 4. Attach the rails or panels. Depending on your fence design, secure each rail or panel to the posts using deck screws or nails, as well as two fasteners per post. A line level will ensure each rail is straight. For fences up to four feet in height, add a top and bottom rail; taller fences will need a third rail.
5. 5. Attach the pickets to the rails. If you’re using rails, a level will help you set the first picket. After that, a spacer block will help with the rest of the pickets. Secure each rail with deck screws or nails and two to three fasteners.
6. 6. Cap each post. Attach post caps to each post with a rubber mallet, ensuring that each fits securely on its post.
7. 7. Stain and treat your fence. For wooden fences, use a wood preservative to prevent rotting; add two coats to the more absorbent end grain, which is wood cut across growth rings. Pressure-treated wood will not need preservatives. Add stain or paint to your fence. Retreat and stain or paint the fence every two to three years to maintain its look and durability.

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