How to Build a Privacy Fence

Building a privacy fence is a job a novice do-it-yourselfer can handle. It's not difficult work, but it takes some time if you want to do it properly. The result is a sense of privacy and security, and the satisfaction that comes from improving your property with your own two hands.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Post hole digger
• Posts
• Quick set cement
• Level
• One-by-fours
• Pickets
• Screws
• Drill

1. Decide where you want your fence posts to go, anywhere between 6 and 8 feet apart. Use a post hole digger to get deep enough so that 2 feet of each post is below ground.

2. Fill each hole with quick setting cement and place the fence post to your privacy fence inside. Check to make sure the post is level and plumb. Let the cement dry for at least 4 hours before you move on to the next step of building your privacy fence.

3. Attach one-by-fours approximately 6 inches below the top of your post, 6 inches above the bottom of your posts, and centered in the middle. They will provide the supports for your fence pickets.

4. Use pickets to fill in the spaces between your fence posts. Screw each picket to the one-by-fours with two screws. Line the pickets up so the top is even. You may need to trim some off of the bottom, depending on the level of your terrain.

5. Continue this process until your privacy fence is complete. Expect to spend a couple of weekends on this project, depending on length of your property's perimeter.