DIY Decorative Metal Fence

Contact your local zoning office and your community homeowner's association to check on building restrictions, style limitations and mandatory setbacks. Apply for any permits you will need before starting to build.

Call the utility companies in your area before you start digging to check on locations for gas, water, cable, phone and other lines that might be buried on your property. The companies will come out and mark the yard so you can avoid hitting the lines when you dig the fence post holes.

Check your plat to make sure you know your property boundaries. If you've had a survey, look for the markers to ensure you build the fence on your land, not on your neighbor's.

Draw your fence layout on graph paper, including positions of posts, measurements and landmarks on your property.

Mark the fence line in your yard with wooden stakes and string. This allows you to see what the fence line will look like before installing posts and panels. Make any necessary adjustments at this point.

Mark the positions of fence post holes with spray paint.

Attach the auger to the compressor, then dig the post holes with the auger. The holes should be about 24 inches deep and 8 inches wide to hold enough concrete to support the fence adequately.

Fill the holes with concrete, then place the fence posts in these concrete footings. Make sure the posts are level.

Allow the concrete to harden for at least 24 hours.

Attach the fence panels with the universal hardware and brackets supplied by the manufacturer. Line up all the hardware holes before tightening down the brackets.

Install end posts and decorative caps or finials at either end of the fence to support the panels. These also provide a place to install a gate.