The short version
Every fence job, whatever the material, can be boiled down to five stages. This is an outline, not a full manual. It is meant to show how the work fits together, so you can tell what you are doing and why. Details of each stage vary with the fence type, local rules and the site, so use it alongside the maker’s instructions and local guidance.
Step 1: Layout and marking
Everything depends on a correct line. Confirm the boundary from a property survey, decide how far inside it to build, and mark the line with stakes and string. Mark post positions at even intervals, starting from corners and gate openings. Before any digging, make sure buried lines have been marked through your area’s utility locating service, and check whether fence permits or association approval are needed. Without a permit where one is required, the whole fence can be ordered down. Local rules often include setback and height limits, so check those before choosing how tall to build.
Take extra care with corners and gate openings. Measure diagonals to check squareness, and write down the dimensions so you can check your work later.
A mistake at this stage is repeated along the whole fence, which is why it deserves the most time.
Step 2: Dig and set the posts
Dig post holes to the depth suitable for your soil, post height and climate. A common guideline is to bury roughly a third of the post’s length, with extra depth where the ground freezes. End, corner and gate posts matter most because they carry the strain of the fence. Set them first, plumb and braced, then use a string line to align the posts between them.
Whether you use concrete or compacted gravel for the post footings, give them time to cure or settle before loading them. This pause tempts people to carry on, but it is what keeps the fence upright in later seasons. The wait varies with the product and the weather.
Step 3: Attach rails and framework
With the posts firm, fix the horizontal rails. Mark their heights on the posts, keep them level, and fasten them with outdoor-rated hardware. The right fence fasteners depend on the wood and finish, because some treated lumber corrodes ordinary steel. For panel fences, the rails may already be part of each panel, and the posts will carry brackets or slots instead.
Consistency matters more than perfection here. A rail that is slightly off the plan but level with its neighbors looks better than one that is correct on paper and visibly crooked in the line.
Step 4: Fit panels or boards
Fix panels, boards or pickets to the rails, working from one end. Keep the first one plumb, use a spacer for even gaps, and check level regularly. Leave a small gap between the bottom and the soil. Where the ground slopes, plan the stepping or following of the slope before cutting.
Add gates where the plan shows them, using hinge and latch hardware rated for the gate’s weight. Hanging a gate is its own task, and picking suitable gate hinge types is part of it. A poorly hung gate can undermine an otherwise good fence. Automatic gates should be left to qualified installers.
Step 5: Finish and inspect
Apply stain, paint or sealer where the material needs it, which for wood is usually the point at which fence staining is considered. Add caps, and shape the soil around the posts so water drains away. Clear leftover materials and stakes.
Then inspect. Walk the line, push gently on posts, test fasteners, open and close each gate several times, and look along the fence from the ends. If your area requires an inspection, schedule it, and keep any paperwork. Check the fence again after the first heavy rain or wind, because new posts sometimes shift slightly.
When five steps are not enough
This outline hides a lot of work. Slopes, rocky soil, tree roots, shared boundaries, pool enclosures and automatic gates all add complexity, and some of them add legal requirements. If any applies, read more before starting, or consider professional help for those parts. A short outline is a useful guide, but it is not a substitute for understanding the details of your own property.