How to install a fence? Installing a fence is a great way to add privacy, security, and aesthetic appeal to your property. We love the cozy, homey feeling a great fence creates. There’s just something about them that defines a space, and the ways you can dress them up are endless. Grow some vegetables and add hanging plants and ivy, and you can have your very own secret garden!
Before you install a new fence, make sure you check to see what utilities are buried underneath your property. You can do that by connecting with BC One Call and filing a request. This step is important and you want to make sure that you, or the contractor you’re hiring, don’t miss this step! You don’t want to hit a water, gas, or god forbid, a sewer line! There might also be electrical wires running underground. Installing a fence means going deep. The taller the fence, the deeper you may have to go in order to keep it stable!
Make measurements and determine the location of where the fence will be installed and the location of the posts. Check with the previous step to make sure you’re not going to be putting posts where gas lines or other utilities are crossing! Once you’ve done that, you can now go and purchase materials. We really discourage homeowners from purchasing materials before they’ve made measurements and before they’ve made plans on exactly where things should go, the measurement of the fences, and so on. We’ve seen it happen way too often, and the end result is often a lot of frustration, time lost, and of course, added expenses.
The depth of the holes will depend on the type of soil in your area and the height of the fence. Consult with your local by-laws to make sure they’re spaced correctly and at the right depth. The fence post will then need a layer of gravel underneath for drainage, followed by concrete or similar material. Fence manufacturers often have installation guidelines for their specific product–consult with them and don’t rely on the internet to eyeball what needs to get done. Install the fence posts securely. Make sure the posts are level and plumb.
Allow the concrete to set. Once the fence posts are stable, attach the rails, and then attach the panels using screws or nails. Ensure everything is level and straight.
Install caps, trim, and then paint/stain the fence (if wooden or similar product) in order to protect it from the elements. This is important even if you went with treated lumber! Moisture is a wooden fence’s enemy. With proper maintenance, however, they can last many, many years.
Your time is valuable. If all of this sounds much more complicated than you want to bother with, give us a call! You can check out our section on fencing here, too!