Everyone wants their home to look its best and what better way to elevate the look of your home than to install a garden fence? With the endless styles of garden fences available, your home’s curb appeal can be enhanced in no time. But if the cost of installing a fence is too much and you’re taking matters into your own hands, you’re probably wondering, “How do I install a fence?”. Well, we’ve got you covered! Here’s how to install a fence in detail, step-by-step.
- Things to Check Before You Begin
- How to Choose the Perfect Garden Fence
- Tools You Need to Install a Fence
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a Fence
- Choose FM Fencing For All Your Fencing Needs
Things to Check Before You Begin
Before you can even think about installing a fence, there are a few things you need to consider. From checking in with your neighbours to ensuring you are compliant with planning permission rules, make sure you tick these off your list before you start installing your fence.
Check-in With Your Neighbours
Neighbours…you either love them or you hate them, but either way, you probably want to stay on their good side! It’s best to have a chat with your neighbours before you start any fencing work to make sure they’re aware you will be changing/installing a fence. This will minimise any noise complaints and awkward questions.
However, if you are planning on removing a current fence that borders with a neighbour and replacing it with a new one, you also need to check whether the fence is even yours! You can also confirm this through your property papers, but it’s nice to talk to your neighbours about it too.
If it turns out the current fence belongs to them, and they don’t want to change it, all is not lost. You can still install a fence; just create a new fence alongside theirs on your side of the property.
Planning Permission
Generally, planning permission for fencing is not required, but there are some rules you must follow. For example:
- If your fence will be over 2m high – you need planning permission.
- If your fence will be facing a public road or footpath and the fence will be over 1m – you need planning permission.
- If your fence will be facing a public road or footpath but the fence will be under 1m – you do not need planning permission.
- If your fence is not adjacent to a public road or footpath (e.g. in your back garden) and is no taller than 2m – you do not need planning permission.
Service Cables
Before you start planning where your fence will go, you must check for service cables and pipes. You can simply rent a cable avoidance tool (CAT) to do this. Electrical route markers or electrical tape may be used to highlight any electrical cables.
If service cables are found where you want to install a fence but it is on solid ground (e.g. a concrete driveway), you could use fence post supports that sit on top of the concrete to install a fence. However, if service cables are detected and the ground is not solid, it may be best to review your fence plans.
Health and Safety Measures
Building a fence can be hard. Even if you are experienced in DIY, it is best to have another person on hand to help you install a fence. You should also wear protective gear when needed to protect yourself from unnecessary harm.
Installing a fence generally requires the use of concrete, which can be a harmful substance. Remember to wash your hands immediately after using concrete to reduce the risk of burns. You should also clean any tools mixed with concrete with a stiff brush so the concrete doesn’t harden on the tool itself.
The Best Time to Install a Fence
It is recommended you install a fence in early spring or late autumn. This ensures any plants in your garden are not disturbed by your work and can bloom to their fullest come summer. A day that is milder and dry is also preferable as nobody want to stand out in the rain!
How to Choose the Perfect Garden Fence
Garden fences come in all shapes and sizes, so it can be difficult to choose a garden fence that not only complements your current home but also fits your budget. Some other key things to consider are:
- The level of privacy you require
- The amount of security you need
- Are aesthetics the most important factor to you?
- How much natural light do you want?
- Concrete or wooden fence posts?
- What type of gravel board would you prefer?
If you need more information about how to choose a fence, why not take a look at our blog on How to Choose the Right Type of Fence for Your Property?
Tools You Need to Install a Fence
Once you have considered all of these points, you need to make sure you have all the tools you need before you begin the fence installation process. You can use this list as your checklist!
- Fence Panels
- Fence Posts
- Fence Post Supports
- Gravel Boards
- Spirit Level
- Tape Measure
- String
- Bamboo Canes
- Claw Hammer
- Sledge Hammer
- Saw or Power Saw
- Screwdriver
- Weedkiller
- Varnish Brush
- Exterior Wood Varnish
A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a Fence
Now that you have completed your checks, chosen your perfect garden fencing and grabbed all the tools you need, you can finally start installing your fence. Take a look at our detailed guide on how to install a fence.
1. Clear the Area
Before you can start measuring and digging, it’s best to clear the area. This means clearing the area of any plants that you don’t want to be damaged and using some weedkiller to ensure weeds don’t start growing around your new fence.
2. Mark and Dig Your Post Holes
Using a measuring tape, measure out the area where you want your fence to be installed. You could mark out this area with bamboo canes to help you visualise the fence a bit easier. The bamboo canes should be placed at the centre of where you will be installing a fence post.
Once you have marked these areas out and are happy with the result, you can start digging the post holes. The standard depth of a post hole is about 450mm but in softer ground this may need to be deeper to ensure your fence post stays put.
3. Temporarily Install Your Fence Posts
With each post hole dug out, you can begin installing your fence posts. To hold them in place temporarily, you can use fence post support or make your own with some scrap wood. Simply create a L or T shape with your scrap wood and secure them together to create a makeshift support for your fence posts.
Begin by installing the first and last posts of your fence. Place your fence posts in their post holes and use a spirit level to ensure they are completely vertical. Once you are happy, use a fence post support to prop up your fence posts. You can do this by hammering the fence post support into the ground near the fence post.
When you have completed this process for the first and last fence posts, you can run two strands of string from each post to create a straight line. This will ensure the rest of your fence posts are in line with each other. You can now install each fence post temporarily, making sure to use the spirit level each time to double-check check each post is vertical.
4. Cut the Fence Panels to Fit
With each fence post now temporarily in place, you can now cut your fence panels to fit perfectly. You can start this process by removing the framing battens from each side of the fence panel. These are also known as vertical struts.
Now, with your new fence measurements, readjust the framing battens to meet your measurements. You should also position the centre batten to the new centre of the fence panel if needed. Nail down each framing batten to complete your new fence panel.
Finally, trim off any excess wood so that the panel itself is flush with the repositioned framing battens.
5. Fix Your Fence Panels in Place
The spirit level is your best friend in this step! First, you should install your gravel board at the bottom of the fence. This will reduce the chance of rotting your actual fence. You should use your spirit level to ensure the gravel board is level, or else the rest of your fence will be tilted. You can install the gravel board using cleats and stainless steel screws. Once your gravel board is in place, you can begin installing each fence panel using the same process.
6. How to Install a Fence Post in Concrete
With all of your fence panels in place, you can now fill up your fence post holes with concrete. Mix your concrete as per the instructions and pour your concrete into the hole. This is normally up to just above ground level. You should then use a trowel or another tool to smooth out the concrete and create a sloping surface starting from the base of the fence post down to the ground so any rain can drain away from the post.
7. Finishing Touches
Once you have let your concrete completely dry, you can now apply your finishing touches. From post caps to painting and varnishing your fencing, these measures will not only complete the look of your fence but also prolong the longevity of your fence.
How to Install a Fence with Concrete Posts
Concrete fence posts are similar to wooden fence posts so you should follow the same process of installation. The only difference is concrete posts normally come with slots, so you can easily slide your fencing panels into place.
Choose FM Fencing For All Your Fencing Needs
With this comprehensive guide on how to install a fence, you are equipped with all the knowledge you need to install a garden fence successfully! At FM Fencing, we offer a range of fencing services to ensure you have the best fence for your property. From agricultural fencing to security fencing and gates, we can help you protect your property. If you have a property that needs fencing, contact FM Fencing today and we can find the perfect solution for you.
Installing a Fence FAQs
Should fence boards be nailed or screwed?
This is a much-debated topic in the fencing world. It is commonly recommended that you should use screws over nails as they provide more security. However, some people also like to use a combination of the two. Nails to readjust the fence panels themselves and screws to attach the fence panel to the fence posts.
Why do fence posts rot at ground level?
When exposed to moisture, wooden fences can rot. This means any moisture on the ground level can also cause a wooden fence to rot. To reduce the chance of rot, gravel boards should be installed at the bottom of a fence to create a barrier between the fence and the ground.
What is the cost of installing a fence?
The average cost of installing a fence can be approximately £1,350 for a 6ft high, 36ft long fence. This can sound like a lot, but installing a fence yourself will be time-consuming, and you will have to plan and purchase the materials yourself. If you value your time, you could opt for a professional to install your fence instead!
Related Articles
Enhancing Curb Appeal and Brand Image with Commercial Gates
How to Choose the Right Type of Fence for Your Property
Choosing the Right Agricultural Fencing
