How to Build a Fence for Your Home

If you want to learn how to build a fencing , read our guide , which covers everything from materials to costs .

A fence can improve your home ’s curb appeal , provide security , increase privacy , and propose protective covering from the elements . But before you start build a fencing , there are a few thing you should have intercourse and view about a novel fencing . Will you DIY orhire an expert ? Do you want a cosmetic fence , or are you calculate for something childlike to brand your property line of merchandise ? Regarding neighbor , you may want to share the disbursement of installing a fencing if it ’s appropriate for your situation and yourstate ’s regulation . Here are our top tip that will instruct you how to build a fence for your domicile .

Know What You Want

Before build a fence , ask yourself why you ’re installing one . If it ’s purely useful — observe the dog in the chiliad — you’re able to in all probability get by with a basic chain - tie-in fencing . If you ’re looking to block randomness or add privacy , you ’ll require something grandiloquent and satisfying .

luck are you have a few reasons : You want to protect pets , but you also want to adda decorative elementto your home ’s outside . Whatever its purpose , a fence can function in many ways , but the first step is deciding what you ’re bet for .

Face the Fence the Right Way

If you’rebuilding a fencefor privateness , the standard way is for the smooth , finished side to present neighbor or the street . The side with the rails and stake showing should present the inside . Not only will your property look overnice this way , but your neighbor will appreciate your attention to detail .

Consider Fence Materials

Awhite picket fenceis quintessential , but study your consignment before purchase woodwind posts and whitewash . Wood fencesmight require occasional maculation or seal and can warp and rot over metre . Instead , consider a humbled - maintenance material , such as vinyl , that bid the look of wood without the elbow joint grease . Other material options let in Al , steel , molded iron , and bamboo .

Mix Fencing Types

If cost is an proceeds , flux dissimilar case of material when building a fence . Wood picket fencingcould be send at the front of the home , for instance , connecting to chain link contend in the back . Not only will this combining fencing potentially save initiation costs , but it will also bring down how much of the fencing might require repainting . merge fencing material and styles also add interestto the landscape .

Do Your Research

Askhomeowners associations , neighbors , or municipal construction codification officials about covenant that order fencing face , height , and material . For example , city and region linguistic rule may specify the better - appear side of a fence — the side that does n’t show posts and runway — faces the world . Ask how far back a fence needs to be gear up on your attribute . Typically , a fence has to be set back 2 to 8 inches from sidewalks andproperty personal credit line , though some municipality require a setback of 12 inches . to boot , find out if building a fencing will require a building permit .

Think Green

Landscaping can be used toprotect your homefrom weather and vista and to scar property lines . stratum plantings to form pockets where others ca n’t see your house or another part of the curtilage . Local building codes and neighborhood fence rule may cover suchliving walls . pick out tree diagram and shrub that will thrive in your area and are evergreen for year - round appealingness , such as arborvitae or Italian cypress . Most will involve plenty of sun , so consider your curtilage ’s ignitor when landscaping for fencing material .

Additionally , you ’ll need to ensure that implant material do n’t overgrow such restrictions in the future .

Know the Costs of Building a Fence

HomeAdvisor reports that homeowner pay between $ 1,919 and $ 4,788 to get a wooden fence installed . Sir Henry Wood fences be $ 17 to $ 45 per linear base . Lumber average from $ 7 to $ 15 per foot , while labor rove from $ 10 to $ 30 per metrical unit . The fencing ’s duration , height , and wood case are significant factors in the price of building a fence . Gates , computer hardware , and sealant are additional price that need to bebudgeted into the project . Also , study the cost of upkeep and sustentation , including restaining and supercede warped or damaged planks and posts .

Research the Property Line

You require to get laid where to put a fencing . To ensure that you ’re accurately building a fence on your own holding and not partially on your neighbor ’s land , get your property surveyed . A property sight is a text file create by a surveyor that establishes a holding ’s boundaries and rights of way .

If you ’ve lose your property survey , you may be able-bodied to get it from your county ’s record office .

Hire Professionals

Fence installation may be a more pregnant project than you want to take on . TheAmerican fencing Associationmakes it easy to discover a local fence contractor . If you determine to rent a pro , ask to see examples of fences they have installed . engage licensed ship’s company and individuals since they ’re typically bind and check . Get three to six estimate from contractors to get a clear delineation of how the companies stack up against each other . If you ’re incertain how to find a contractor , talk to neighbour , check online resource for recommendations , and ask the companies for references from former client .

Be a Good Neighbor

Be upfront with neighbour about yourfencing plans . Try not to block their views unnecessarily . Two or more neighbors can build and partake in a party fencing , but such accord should be made in composition and only after the dimension bound have been professionally determined . install a honest neighbour fence — a Grant Wood secrecy fencing where the finish side ( the more attractive , smooth side ) face the neighbor ’s property — is commonly deal the right-hand matter to do .

Consider Climate

Concrete anchorsare necessary for fence billet when build a fence in cold northern climates that have frost . The post should be guarantee 1/3 to 1/2 the height of the exposed post to avoid icing heave in a cold snap . For exercise , a2 - foot - deep holewill do for a 4 - ft Wiley Post . heave takes place when pee freezes in the grunge , and then the grunge thaws , pushing fencing posts out of the ground .

For warmer , muffler climates , vinyl group is your unspoilt fabric choice , as wood is susceptible to water equipment casualty . Mrs. Henry Wood , bamboo , and metallic element fencing are the most durable in very cold temperatures .

Create Entrances

project at least two itinerary in and out of a fenced area for rubber and convenience . Ensure one is large enough to lodge bulky outdoor equipment such as lawnmowers and garbage bins . Stepping stones , pergolas , and other decorative element can help indicate the locations of gates . A classic white picket fence geminate with a matching pergola and gate makes a charming ingress to any K . Add greenery to an arbor with mounting vines , likeEnglish ivyor wisteria , for additional ocular appeal .

Dress It Up

Plan on giving your fence budget a small cushioning to incorporate your dash when building a fencing . Once your fence is in property , customise it with ornamental posts or finials . depend on your home ’s style , you may require to paint the fence a modern-day color . Consider implant a rowing of flowers in front of it for a genuinely welcoming frontage . For a fresh look , attach flora hanger hooksto a Sir Henry Wood fence and insert dope plant with annuals to produce a wall of living color .

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of your fence look for the most part on the substantial footage need and the material you choose . On the low terminal of the spectrum , chain of mountains inter-group communication fence are often considered the most budget - well-disposed , followed by vinyl and inexpensive wood like treated pine . The most expensive fence stuff include atomic number 13 and wrought iron .

If you plan on instal a fence on your holding , it ’s a salutary approximation to fancy out if you ’ll require to pull a permit with your town to make the oeuvre legal . To find out if you need to prevail a construction licence , get in contact with your Ithiel Town ’s construction inspector ( this data can also occasionally be found on your city ’s internet site ) . You ’ll desire to do this before any installation or workplace begins on your fencing .

The exact deal your fence requires depends on the type of material it ’s made from . In general though , you should anticipate to strip your fence sporadically and revive any damage it may sustain , such as broken posts or jam in the chain link .

white house wooden fence

Credit: Kim Cornelison

Yes , the cost of the materials will broadly speaking be cheaper if you make this a DIY project . However , the installation can be difficult , so the extra money you pay for professionals to establish your fence will be worth it , peculiarly if you have no experience in this region . retrieve , if you make mistakes installing the fence yourself , it could end up be you more money to posit the offspring you run into .

Yes , although it look on the sizing of your yard and the type of fencing that you ’re having put in . mountain chain - link fences , for instance , can be installed faster than vinyl or wood fences . Most fence installations will take 2 - 5 days .

How Much Does Wood Fence Installation Cost in 2025?HomeAdvisor .

gray house white fence