10 Steps to Install a Fence

Save on labor costs with tips to build your own fence like the pros

By
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 03/31/24
Reviewed by
Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier
Reviewed by Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Wood Fence

pyzata / Getty Images

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 1 - 2 days
  • Yield: One 8-foot section of fence
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $200 to $300

A wood fence around your yard creates privacy, discourages intruders, and keeps kids and pets safe. With professionally installed wood fences costing from $16 to $40 per foot, it's significantly cheaper to install a fence yourself.

This guide yields one section of fence: 8 linear feet. Add as many sections as you need to enclose your outdoor space with fence.

Easy Way to Install a Fence

The classic way to build a wood fence is to construct it from scratch, An easier way is to use large, pre-built fence panels. The 8-foot-long fence panels are 6 feet high. This height conforms to most building codes.

Also, instead of mixing wet concrete, use dry concrete. Pour the dry concrete in the fence post holes, then follow with water. The water filters out through the soil. The concrete hardens in less than an hour.

Before You Begin

Discuss the fence with your adjacent neighbor. Some communities may require that you obtain written permission from all adjoining neighbors. Look at your house title documents to see if any property easements run below the fence.

Many communities require a building permit before installing a wood fence. Observe height restrictions (often 6 feet, but this may vary), as well as zoning setbacks from the property line.

When to Build a Wood Fence

In areas that experience extreme cold, you may not be able to begin the project until spring, when frozen ground begins to thaw.

Everything You Need to Know About Fence Installation

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Circular saw
  • Cordless drill
  • Electric miter saw
  • Hammer
  • Tape measure
  • Speed Square
  • Twine and stakes
  • Bubble level or a laser level
  • Post-hole digger
  • Shovel
  • Pencil
  • Eye and hearing protection
  • Work gloves
  • Marking paint

Materials

  • 1 wood fence panel
  • 2 four-by-four fence posts
  • 2 bags of quick-setting concrete mix
  • 1 bag of all-purpose gravel
  • #8 2-1/2 inch exterior screws

Instructions

How to Build a Wood Fence

  1. Mark the Site For Buried Services

    Call your local utility locator hotline. This free service arranges for technicians to visit your property and to mark buried services (water, electricity, gas, and more) with washable spray paint.

  2. Stake Out Fence Location

    With the hammer, tap two wood stakes 10 feet apart. Run twine tightly between the stakes.

  3. Dig the First Post Hole

    Dig a fence post hole with the post-hole digger. Dig the hole to the depth required by your community. In the absence of local requirements, a good rule of thumb is to dig a hole half the length of the post and about three times as wide as the post.

  4. Measure to the Second Hole

    Place a post in the hole temporarily. Have an assistant measure 8 feet from the side of that post and follow the twine to the location of the next hole.

  5. Dig the Second Post Hole

    This second hole should be dug so that its post is exactly 8 feet away from the first post, measured from side to side. Dig to the required depth.

    Tip

    If you prefer to measure the post distance with on-center measurements, the distance is 103 inches from the center of one post to the center of the next post.

  6. Add the Base Fill

    Extend the tape measure into the post hole. Pour gravel into the hole while the tape is still in there. When the gravel reaches about 4 inches, remove the tape. Use one of the four-by-fours to tamp down the gravel.

  7. Add the Concrete

    Use scrap two-by-fours to brace the posts in the post-holes. Plumb each post with the bubble level or laser level. Fill each hole with dry quick-set concrete to 3 or 4 inches below ground level. With the hose, slowly add fresh water. The concrete will cure in about 20 to 40 minutes.

  8. Place the Fence Panel

    With an assistant, lift and place a fence panel between two posts. Add blocking below the fence panel to raise it to the desired height. Make sure that both sides of the fence panel touch the posts but aren't so tight as to spread the posts.

  9. Attach the Fence Panel

    Attach the fence panel to the two posts with screws. Drive the screws through the sides of the fence panel and into the fence posts. Use four screws per side.

  10. Stain and Finish the Fence

    If using cedar posts and fence panels, staining and finishing are optional since cedar provides natural protection from the elements. If you do wish to stain and finish your fence, do so by rolling, brushing, or spraying the compounds onto your fence. If using pressure-treated or green-treated wood, be sure to allow sufficient drying time before staining your new fence.

FAQ
  • Is it hard to install a fence yourself?

    Installing a wood fence is not a complicated task, but it is very labor-intensive. It's best to recruit a friend or family member to help. Digging post holes and pouring concrete can be done by yourself if you have plenty of time to complete the fence. Installing panels requires a second person to hold each panel level while another person attaches it to the fence.

  • What is the cheapest fence to install?

    PVC fencing is cheaper than wood fencing, and it's also more lightweight and weather-resistant. Wire fencing panels installed between wood framing is another budget-friendly option that offers a clear view of the outside of the fence. When choosing a type of fence to install, start by considering the level of privacy you need.

  • Should fence posts be inside or outside?

    Fence posts are typically installed on the inside of the fence, but they can be installed outside based on personal preference. If you want the display side of the fence facing the outside of your home, for example, install fence posts on the inside. If your fence only runs along the property line in your backyard, you may install the posts outside for a nicer look inside the fence.