4 Steps to building your own Privacy Fence

It might not be a big thing in the midwest, or other parts of the United States, but for us Bay Area Natives – a fence is IMPORTANT. Check out below some simple steps to building your own privacy fence for your Bay Area home.

A wooden privacy fence can help you to get a little peace and quiet in your own backyard. With
a privacy fence, you can keep your kids and pets safe in your yard while keeping the unwanted
guests out. Installing your own privacy fence is as easy as following these four steps. Use this guide to privacy fence installation and you can be sure you’re going to have the perfect fence for your
home.

Finding the Property Line
This is the most crucial step towards installing a privacy fence. If you can’t find the property
lines, how will you know where to put your fence at? Typically, a property marker can be found
at each corner of your property line. Finding at least three corners of the property line is crucial
to success. Once the markers have been located, mark them with a stake and string a taut line
between them for reference. Set your new fence in from the string line 6-12 inches.

Setting the Corner Panel
Set your first panel and post in one of the corners of your yard. Ensure the post will be set at least
two feet into the ground by making a two foot mark at the bottom of the post. Dig the hole and
set in the post. As you backfill the hole, level the post from all sides. Tamp the dirt in place to
strengthen the post. Attach the first panel to the fence post using three 10d galvanized nails.

Posts and Panels
Now that the first corner is nailed and the panel is flopping in the breeze, you can dig the next
post hole. Line the fence up to your string line and mark the hole so that is breaks evenly
between the next panel and the one that’s already in place. Dig the hole two feet deep and set the
post. Level the post from both positions and tamp the earth tightly around the base of the post.
Nail the fence to the post and your first panel is complete. Continue in this fashion until you
make your way around the home. Panels can be adjusted up and down as needed to contour the
land.

Gates and Openings
For gates and openings, you’ll need to install a post on each side of the opening. These posts take
extra weight and abuse. They need to be reinforced properly to ensure they stay strong and level.
Concrete poured around each gate post will ensure your gate stays exactly where it’s supposed to
be.

Now you have it, 4 steps to building your own privacy fence – Have at it! But, if you read this and are now thinking something like “maybe I could use some help”, or even, “Yeaaaaaah, I’d rather just pay someone to do it” – Go ahead and check out what we offer for our local Bay Area Fencing

Or maybe you want to do some more research, check out how to choose the best materials for building your fence.