How to Install a White Picket Fence With a Cement Footer

Stage picket fence panels around the lawn where it will be installed. Lay the panels flat onto the lawn to get a visual guide where to pour cement footers.

Put on gloves and dig holes where the footers will be poured with post hole diggers. Make the holes about 2 feet deep and approximately 8 inches wide. Use a tape measure to check the size of each hole.

Pour 3 parts sand to 1 part dry mortar into a wheelbarrow. Mix the dry ingredients with a hoe and lightly mist with water. Mix with the hoe again. Add water as necessary, mixing continuously until you have a pancake batter consistency.

Insert the first picket fence stud or support beam into the first hole. Pour mixed cement into the hole while holding the stud or support beam upright and straight. Repeat for every other stud or support beam. Allow the cement footers to harden overnight or about 24 hours.

Place a picket fence panel up against the first support beam or stud. Fasten it to the stud or beam with a nail gun or screw gun. Repeat with each successive picket fence panel until the fence is erected. Leave at least one section blank to hang a gate.

Hang a gate onto the empty space by fastening the gate panel hinges to the support beam or stud with a screw gun or nail gun. Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions for details on hanging the gate.

Apply a coat of primer and two to three coats of paint with a brush to the picket fence once it is installed, if necessary.