Do-It-Yourself Fence Plans

Measure the panel width if you are installing pickets or privacy fencing, or the slat length if you are installing a two-slat or three-slat rail fence. Use this measurement as the on-center measurement for your posts. If you're installing split rail fencing that has the ends of the rails go through holes in the posts, you need to measure the length of the rail and add it to the width of one post. This is because the rails are meant to go through the posts, not stop mid-way.

Place a stake at the starting point for the fence. This represents the center of the first post. Measure out from the first stake and place more stakes at the distance needed for each post. Run twine to each stake and look down the line to ensure all of the stakes run straight. Move the stakes if needed to make a straight fence line.

Dig 12-inch-wide holes right behind the stakes, using the stake as your center guide. The holes need to be deep enough to include 6 inches for gravel and 1/3 the length of the posts.

Check the measurements from the center of one hole to the center of the next all the way down the line to ensure that the spacing is correct.

Add 6 inches of gravel to each hole and tamp it down.

Place the posts in the holes. Wrap 4 pieces of twine around the top end of the post and use it to stake the posts on four sides. Use a level to keep the posts vertical while you stake them.

Mix cement with water, as directed on the package, and pour it into each hole. Let this dry for a couple of days.

Slide split rails into the slots on the posts to finish. For panels or slats, drill them in place on the posts with 3-inch screws. Leave enough room on each post to attach the edges of the panels on either side of the post. Use a level to help guide the panel to the proper position after drilling in one screw at the top. Once level, attach with more screws to anchor it down.