How to Self-Install a Privacy Fence

Tie string to two stakes. Place the stakes in the ground to mark where you want to build the first side of the fence. Use a tape measure to determine where to place fence posts. If possible, adjust the length of the fence so you don't have to cut any amount off of one of the fence panels to get it to fit. Mark the location of fence posts with spray paint. In most instances, fence posts should be set 8 feet apart unless you have shorter panels. Repeat as needed for additional sides of the fence.

Dig the post holes with an auger. If it's a short fence with only a couple of posts, you can dig the posts by hand with a pair of hand-held post hole diggers, or jobbers. The holes need to be at least 1/3 of the length of the post. To keep the posts from heaving out of the ground in cold weather, make the holes wider at the bottom than they are at the top.

Place 2 inches of gravel into each post hole to allow for drainage. Set the posts in place. Starting with a corner post, hold a carpenter's level on the side of a post to ensure it is plumb and aligned with the string marker. Kick some dirt into the hole and tamp it in place with a hand tamper. Continue adding dirt and tamping it into place. Set all the posts in a similar manner.

Paint the fence if you plan to. It's easier to get paint on all the edges while you can move the fence panels around. Allow the paint to dry and then give the panels a second coat. Allow that to dry as well.

Hold a panel in place. Use the level to ensure the panel is plumb and level. Secure the panel to the fence posts with galvanized screws long enough to pass through the panel and about 2 inches into the fence post. At least two screws should pass through the upper horizontal crosspiece on each end and two screws on the lower horizontal crosspiece. If the panels are heavy, you may want to have a helper hold the panel while you secure it to the posts. Continue putting all the panels in place.

Attach the gate hinges to the gate with the screws from the installation kit. Have your helper hold the gate in place while you check that it is level and plumb. Attach the hinges to the gatepost.

Close the gate. Attach the gate latch with the screws from the installation kit. Put the gate catch on the gatepost so it connects properly with the gate latch.