How to Build a Wood Privacy Fence: Planning, Materials, and Step-by-Step Installation
A 6-foot wood privacy fence professionally installed runs $20 to $35 per linear foot including materials and labor. A homeowner who purchases materials and installs the fence pays $10 to $15 per linear foot — a saving of roughly fifty percent. Over a typical 150-linear-foot backyard fence, that’s $1,500 to $3,000 saved on a project that requires weekend time, rented post-hole diggers, and moderate physical effort.
Before You Start
Most municipalities require a permit for fence construction — check your local building department. Permits often include required setback distances from property lines and height restrictions. Call 811, the national Call Before You Dig service, before digging any post holes. Hitting a buried utility line is dangerous and expensive. Verify your property lines using your survey before setting posts.
Post Selection and Setting
Use pressure-treated 4×4 posts rated for ground contact — labeled UC4B or UC4C. For a 6-foot fence, use 8-foot posts so 2 feet are buried and 6 feet are above grade. Dig holes at least 2 feet deep plus 6 inches of gravel at the bottom for drainage. Set posts in concrete, sloping the concrete slightly away from the post at grade level to shed water. Check each post for plumb on two perpendicular faces before the concrete sets.
Rails and Pickets
Attach horizontal 2×4 rails to the posts using metal post caps or face-screwing through the posts into the rail ends. Two rails for a 6-foot fence is standard; three rails are stronger. Attach pickets vertically to the rails using 2-inch exterior screws, spacing each picket 3/8 to 1/2 inch from its neighbor to allow for wood expansion. Maintain consistent height with a string line. Check that the first few pickets are perfectly vertical before committing to a run — any lean becomes more obvious as you proceed.
