Installing a Fence
Landscaping & Design, Lawn and Garden by Danny Lipford
Installing a fence is a project that many homeowners feel comfortable taking on themselves. You may have to enlist the help of some neighbors but with a little elbow grease and by carefully following manufacturer’s instructions - most fences can be installed around an average sized yard in one weekend. As with all home improvement projects it is a good idea to carefully plan your project, and as a courtesy, discuss with your neighbors what you intend to do. Then when you are just about to begin the project there are three very important things you must do:
- Check on the exact location of your property lines
- Obtain all necessary building and zoning permits required in your town
- Before digging locate all underground utility lines. (Call Utility Companies if necessary)
Steps for Installation
Depending on the type of fence you choose the exact installation process will vary and you should always follow the manufacturers instructions (usually provided with the product or available at their website). But in general the process for installing a fence is the same:
- Determine location of all posts, measure and mark the spots
- Dig holes for posts being sure to make the hole wider at the bottom
- Mix & Pour Cement
- Secure Post in Cement allowing 24 hours to dry
- Attach Fence panels to fence
- Secure Gate and finishing hardware
Tools Necessary
Again depending on the exact type of fence you intend to install the tools required will vary slightly, but in general the following list covers just about everything you might need when building a new fence:
- Tape Measure
- Level
- Mason String
- Sledge Hammer or mallet
- Post Hole Diggers (or rent a gas powered auger)
- Wheelbarrow
- Shovel
- Additional basic household tools such as: screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches etc
July 14th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
I built and installed this gate and pier last week. The gate is composed of several commercially made cast-iron sections and elements I modified and welded together.
The pier is common concrete block, due to the frost depth I had to dig down 40″ for a concrete footing for it- piers like this require a footing below the frost line or they will move from frost in the ground.
The griffin- as a sculptor I could make one, but this was CHEAP- $80 made of aluminum and just the right size to fit on top of the 16″ square pier.
You may need to copy/paste the url to see it.
…gate-column.jpg
Nicholas Roussos Says:July 16th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Wow, that’s impressive. Did you have to paint the griffin or is that exactly how it came?
July 18th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Thanks Nicholas, it came gloss black, though it would be easy to paint any color. I wanted the gloss black to match the gate which I painted with gloss black lacquer.
I’m tempted to build a second one on the other side- this is at the house end of the driveway, and put a wood fence between them, but for now I have a 4′ wire fence there.
It’s a lot of work hand digging down 40″, but maybe next summer.
January 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Danny,
Excellent Article. I have compiled some additional links for your readers who are looking to install fence - this is the most complete do it yourself link list I know of:
I can’t make the Links active here - but they are active at: http://www.fencewizard.blogspot.com
Red Brand Animal Fence Install Sheets
KenCove Horse Fence Install Menu
Child Guard Pool Fence Guide
Prestige Pool Fence Step by Step Guide
Universal Forest Prodcut Wood Fence Guide
Short Run Pro Wood Fence Install
Vinyl Fence Install
Hoover Fence Aluminum Fence Guide
“Fence It” Delgard Fence Install
Hoover Fence Chain Link Install Guide
American Fence Chain Link Install Guide
Allan Block Fence Install
American Fence Electric Fence Install
Invisible Dog Fence How To
Simtek / Mity Fence Install Guide
Bamboo Fence Guide from Cali Bamboo
Gardenstructure.com - Custom Fence and Deck Plans
(again all links are active at http://www.fencewizard.blogspot.com)
Thanks, and good luck with your fence installs!
The Fence Wizard