"Get an accurate measurement of where the fence is going to go, the actual footage - linear footage. If you're going to go with a privacy fence, the posts are typically set eight feet apart. It wouldn't hurt to get a book on fence construction, as well, for a guide," Novigrod says.
Before buying any materials you will need to determine the property boundary. This is done by a survey and will help you find the actual property boundary. Contact your local codes office to determine to whether you can build a fence on your property or not. Contact local utility companies to come out and mark all underground utility locations. This is a free service and is essential before any digging takes place. Determine the total linear feet of the fence and order materials.
There are different gauges of the fence wire (the smaller the gauge, the thicker the wire). If you prefer, vinyl coated wire is available and comes in black, brown and green.
Your local home improvement store will have the products you will need for installing your chain link fence.
You will need galvanized corner and end posts that are 2-1/2" tubing and dome caps for the end posts. Also needed are 1-5/8" line posts and loop caps for the 1-3/8" swedged top rails. Tension bars are used on the ends and corners of the fence and are used with a 2-1/2" tension band. Nuts and bolts and wire ties are used for the chain link. The wire ties are used to tie up the line posts and the top rails. Rail end cups and 2-1/2" brace bands go at the corner for the top rails. They swivel to whatever angle you need.
Measure in from the property line to the proper setback and place a stake at each end of the fence line. Wrap string tightly around the stakes. Do not put a stake directly in the spot where the corner post will go. The reason for this is that you would have to remove the stake when you dig the hole where the corner post will sit. Elongate the ends of the lines and set the stakes out a couple of feet; where the lines cross is where the corner posts will go.
Determine the post locations. A rule of thumb when installing chain link fencing is to not exceed ten feet between posts. Therefore, depending on the total length of one side of the fence, you may want to put posts every eight feet. If posts are installed more than ten feet apart, it increases the chance that the mesh will sag between posts.
Mark post hole locations with a post hole digger or spray paint. Dig post holes 18-24 inches deep and at least eight inches in diameter. Depending on soil conditions and drainage, you may want to add a layer of gravel on the bottom of the hole a few inches deep.
