Fence installation: decide what the fence needs to do
A leaning fence, a dog that keeps getting out, a gate that will not close. Whether you need a new fence or a fence repair, good fence installation starts with one question: what is this fence for? Privacy, keeping pets and kids in, marking the line, security and curb appeal all point to different materials, heights and gates. Decide that first, then compare the types of fences below.
- Privacy: a solid fence with no gaps, usually as tall as your city allows in the back yard.
- Pets and kids: no gaps at the bottom, a latch little hands cannot reach, and a height your dog cannot clear.
- Looks and boundaries: a lower picket or ornamental fence, often in the front yard.
- Pools: many places have special pool barrier rules for height, gaps and self-closing, self-latching gates. Check them before you choose a style.
Types of fences compared
| Fence type | Look and upkeep | How long it lasts, good for |
|---|---|---|
| Wood privacy (treated pine or similar) | Solid, warm look. Needs stain or sealer every few years to slow graying and rot. | Many years with good posts and care. Privacy, pets and larger yards on a budget. |
| Cedar picket | Classic spaced pickets. Naturally resists rot; weathers to silver gray unless sealed. | Holds up longer than untreated wood. Front yards, gardens and cottage-style homes. |
| Vinyl | Clean, even look in white, tan or wood tones. Wash it now and then; no painting. | A long time; it will not rot, but a hard hit can crack a panel. Low-upkeep privacy and pool areas. |
| Chain link | See-through and practical. Almost no upkeep; coated versions blend in better. | A very long time. Pets, big areas and side yards; privacy slats can be added. |
| Wrought iron or ornamental aluminum | Elegant and open. Iron needs rust spots touched up; aluminum does not rust and weighs less. | Both last a long time. Front yards, pools and security without blocking the view. |
| Horizontal slat or composite | Modern look. Composite needs little more than washing; horizontal wood needs sealing. | Depends on the material and on strong posts. Modern homes and patios. |
Property lines, 811, permits and HOA rules
Before anyone digs, know exactly where your line is. Your survey or plat, often in your closing papers or on file with the county, shows the boundaries. If the corner markers are missing or a neighbor disagrees, a land surveyor can mark the line. Many owners set the fence a little inside their own line to avoid disputes.
- Call 811 before digging. It is the free national call-before-you-dig service. Utility companies mark buried gas, power, water and cable lines with paint or flags. Your state sets how much notice to give. Private lines, such as sprinklers, yard lights or a gas line to a grill, are not marked, so show your pro where they run.
- Permits. Many cities require a fence permit and limit height, often lower in the front yard than in the back. Corner lots may have rules that keep views clear near driveways and street corners. Check with your city or county.
- HOA rules. HOAs often set the style, color, height and which side faces out. Get approval in writing before work starts.
- Neighbors. A friendly heads-up before the crew arrives goes a long way, especially if the new fence replaces a shared one.
How fence posts are set
Many fence problems start at the posts. Posts that are too shallow, too small or rotting at the ground line are the usual reason a fence leans. Ask each fence company how they set posts.
- Concrete: a common method. The top of the concrete should be shaped so water runs away from the post, not into a cup around it.
- Compacted gravel: some pros set wood posts in tamped gravel so water drains away from the wood. A post set this way can be easier to replace later.
- Depth: post depth depends on the fence height, your soil and, in cold areas, the frost line. Posts that stop above the frost line can be pushed up by freezing ground. Ask your pro, or check with your city, what is normal where you live.
- Post material: wood posts should be rated for ground contact. Galvanized steel posts behind a wood fence are another option and do not rot.
Gates and hardware
The gate gets used every day, so it takes the most wear. A sagging gate is usually a loose hinge, a missing brace or a gate post that has moved.
- Plan the width for what goes through it: a mower, trash bins, a trailer or a car. Wide openings often use a double gate with a drop rod to hold one side.
- Gate posts should be stronger and set more firmly than the other posts, since they carry the weight of the gate.
- Wood gates need a diagonal brace running from the bottom of the hinge side up to the top of the latch side.
- Choose heavy hinges and a latch that works from both sides. For pools and small kids, use self-closing hinges and a self-latching latch, and check local pool rules.
- Galvanized or coated hardware resists rust and should last as long as the fence.
Fence repair or replace?
| What you see | Usual fix |
|---|---|
| A few broken boards or pickets | Replace the boards, then stain or seal to blend in. |
| One section leaning | Reset or replace the post, or add a steel repair bracket beside it. |
| A gate that drags or will not latch | Tighten or replace the hinges, add a brace, or reset the gate post. |
| Many posts rotted at the ground, several sections leaning | A new fence usually makes more sense than patching. |
A good fence repair pro will tell you honestly when a repair is only buying time. Small fixes can go on one list for a handyman, and for staining an older fence, see painting and staining bids.
What a fence bid should list
- The total length and height, and a sketch of where the fence runs
- The material and style named, such as the board type, picket spacing or vinyl panel style
- Post material, size and spacing, and how the posts are set
- The number, size and type of gates, and the hardware
- Removal and haul-away of the old fence, and clearing along the line
- Who calls 811 and who pulls the permit, if one is needed
- Whether staining or sealing is included, and when it can be done
- The start date, how long it will take, cleanup of extra soil, the payment schedule and the workmanship warranty in writing
Before you hire, ask for proof of insurance and any license your city or state requires, and check it. To line the bids up side by side, read how to compare bids.
Get fence bids on BidHandyman
Pace off the length of the fence line, take a few photos of the area or the damage, mention any HOA rules, and post it free. Verified local pros bid on a new fence, a gate or a simple repair, and you compare the bids, check each pro's profile and reviews, message them and hire the one you like, with no obligation. Post your fence job.