How to self install a chain link fence?

Question

I want to fence in my backyard with chain link for the dog, but I don't want to spend a lot of money paying someone to do it for me. My husband and I are pretty handy people, is it possible to do it (and it do well) ourselves? Or would we be better off self-installing a wood one?
Thanks.

Answer 1

A woof fence would be you most expensive option by far. When you do a wood fence you have to dig a hole that is 28 inches deep "Check local building codes" with at least a 8-10 diameter hole. then u will have to run a dry line so you can make sure your 4x4 are all evenly in a row.
Then you have to drop a 4x4 in each hole...Fill the hole with concrete..level each post and let it set up over night..then you start filling in. If you never done this...DON'T
Go with a chain link fence if you want to save lots of money.
again you will have to run a dry line and dig your holes.
I would gather as many 2 gallon buckets i could find.
Dig the hole the same size and depth as the 2 gallon bucket..drop all the 2 gallon buckets in the hole and fill a few at a time with concrete and set your post inside.
The reason being You can take the fence with ya when you move if you wanted. Or simply leave it the way it is.
I hope this has helped..good luck.

Answer 2

Your first option could be to dig and set the fence posts yourselves (since the cement needs time to cure anyway). You could just have a fence guy come and hang/pull the fence.

The Home Depot near me rents fence pullers and the local rental shops all carry these, so it is something you could do. I watched a guy (a pro) doing this last week by himself. He was pretty clever. He stood up the fence and ran a bungee cord through it. He put the vertical bar in and attached it with clips - then he unrolled the fence as he walked to the other post. This was a fence roughly 12' high and a little wider than a parking space. I missed what he did next, but when I came back from the gym, he was finished and gone. Good luck.

Answer 3

I think you have some good answers already and I agree with them. One other thing I've seen that hasn't been mentioned is laying some type of either metal, plastic or concrete border beneath the fence. That way it prevents a dog from tunneling underneath the fence and it makes it so easy to trim the grass under the fence. With a 6" border below the fence you should be able to use the lawnmower and not need to trim at all. I hate to see all the grass growing in the fence and intertwining between the links. Good luck.

Answer 4

I installed my own chain link fence and on several holes, I had to use a 40lb breaker bar to chip through rock most of the way down. Those posts would not have survived if I was trying to drive them in. All the other posts were dug with post hole diggers then quickcreted in about 1/3 the way on the line posts and the corner posts were 3/4 the way quickcreted. I you have rocky ground, you may run into the same problem.

Answer 5

I've installed a few miles of fence in my day and for chain link you need certainly to set the posts first. Most would be 2 ft longer than the height of the top of the chain and cross brace to allow for back filling with ready mix concrete. Certainly some thought might be given to frost line depths if that is the case in your location. Plumb each post and allow the mortar to set.

For a DIY I advise securing the end/corner post so that the fence install isn't pressuiring it to "lean" toward your progress.
I use various methods, but even a simple "Come along" or two will effectively work. Certainly two people or more is suggested. At each successive post, wire off/on the fence using the appropriate clamps or galvanized wire for the purpose, then proceed. Chain link usually is sold in 50 ft rolls,(often sold at $1 a linear ft."4ft" high) and can be laid flat on the ground along the course. It's flexible enough that it can be worked 8 ft or so at a time.

At the opposing corner/end, secure that post as well. If you plan a gate, measure that opening and the process is pretty much the same for setting those posts.

I allow a few inches below ground level in each post hole to back fill with soil allowing that grass/etc. will regrow.

Steven Wolf

The issue with dogs and fences is often OUR DOGS are "Diggers" You can certainly anchor the bottom with cross braces/ground anchors, or along the course add a line of cinder blocks to discourage digging.

Answer 6

fordman is smart. hes the man.