- 1). Choose a location in your yard or property where you want to build the fence. Determine how long you want the fence wall or if you're enclosing the area, how long you want each of the walls. Decide the height of your fence wall(s) as well. Hammer a stake into the ground to mark the location of the beginning of the fence.
- 2). Use a tape measure to measure from the stake down the proposed length of the fence line and hammer a stake into the ground to mark the fence's end point. If your fence is longer than 6 feet, measure in from the starting stake and hammer a stake every 6 feet. If the length is an odd number, for example 15 feet, hammer a stake every 5 feet. This will provide an even and balanced support system for the fence rails.
- 3). Tie a nylon cord around the first stake and then around each successive stake to provide a visible guideline to work with that will aid in keeping the fence line straight. Remove the first stake and use the post-hole digger to dig a hole that's at least 2 feet deep; the diameter of the hole isn't a concern. Fill the bottom of the hole with gravel; for more stability, mix quick-drying concrete per the package directions and fill the hole halfway with concrete.
- 4). Place the first fence post vertically down into the hole. Place a level across the top to ensure the post is level. Fill the remainder of the hole with fill dirt you dug from the hole. Repeat the process for each successive fence post you need. If you used concrete, allow a couple of days for the mix to set up before attaching fencing or rails.
- 5). Hammer, screw or tie-on a fence rail about a foot from the ground, between two posts, to create the bottom rail. If you're building a barbwire fence, hammer the bottom line onto the first post and continue on until the bottom line is attached to all posts.
- 6). Attach additional rails, spacing them a foot or so apart as you attach the rows. If you plan to add fence pickets, attach each picket vertically to the horizontal rails, spacing them a few inches or a few feet apart or flush against one another for maximum privacy.
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