Chain Link Fence Installation: Guide and Cost

Step One: The Utilities

Obviously, the fence is not a topical installation. You will need holes to put the post in to secure the structure. Therefore, utility lines running underground could very well be in danger. Therefore, you’ll want to reach out to the companies to have a representative come and indicate where these are.

This will usually be done using flags to give you a clear indication. With these in place, it’s much easier to steer clear of them as you dig fence post holes. This might seem like an annoying thing to have to do, but skipping it could proverbially put you in the mud later on.

Step Two: Planning the Chain Link Fencing Layout

Now, you know where the utilities are that you need to avoid. This means it’s time to get the planning phase started. You know what they say! If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail, and you don’t want that, right?

Stakes and string lines are significant in helping you to plan things. You’ll want to kick things off by deciding where your terminal posts are going. Where are the corners, gates, etc.? Landscaping spray can help you to mark these.

You also want to figure out your line posts. Good post spacing is key here. Usually, a maximum of 10-foot intervals will be sufficient. Remember that a sturdier fence comes from tighter spacing, so this is not the time to be conservative.

Step Three: Grab Your Post Hole Digger

Now it’s time for the real work to begin. If you have a power auger or post-hole digger, get it and start to dig holes for the terminal posts. These will be deeper and wider than those for the line posts.

Going below the frost line, typically 30 inches deep, is recommended. Note your pole diameter. The hole diameters need to be three times that.

Step Four: Set Your Chain Link Fence Posts

With the holes ready, you can work on setting the posts. Hopefully, you have a wheelbarrow because it’s time to mix some concrete. You want to achieve cake batter consistency here since you want it thick enough to keep the post upright.

Start filling the post hole with a few inches of dry concrete. Put in the pole, using the assistance of a post level. Next, it’s time to start shoveling in some wet concrete. Remember that you don’t want spots of concrete at the top, so you’ll want to ensure there are a few inches between the top of the concrete and the yard level since soil should cover it once you’re done.

Step Five: Set Your Line Posts

With the terminal posts set, it’s time for the string line to come into play. Run it along the post tops and pull until it is taut. The line will be used as a guide to set up the line posts. It ensures they will all be the same height.

Use quick-setting concrete if you want to make things a bit quicker here. Remember that terminal posts will need to support a lot more weight than these will, so you shouldn’t have a problem doing this.

If going this route, put each post in its designated hole and use a post level for assistance. Now, it’s time to pour some dry concrete into the hole, with water added afterward. The concrete will need a few days to set properly, so you must wait before moving on.

Step Six: Time For Your Fence Hardware

Now, things get even more enjoyable. A brace band needs to be put on each terminal post, with three tension bands being used. This is an ideal amount for a 4-foot chain link fence. If yours is going to be higher, you will need more bands.

Following this, the top of each post will need a rail cup with a brace band. The final piece of the puzzle is to put a post cap atop each post. A rubber mallet can be used to drive them into place. Double the number of elements you use for your corner posts since you’ll need to consider each fence direction.

Step Seven: Rail Time

For each line post, you will want to add post loop caps. The first top rail will go through the loops, eventually pushed into the rail cup on the terminal post. It would be best to secure the rail cup by fighting its bolt.

Connecting the top rails shouldn’t be a problem since they feature a narrower diameter on one end that’s meant to make the whole process easier. When you get to the next terminal post, you can use a hacksaw to get the rail to the size you need. Repeat the fitting and tightening steps.

Step Eight: Time to Add the Fencing

Now, the fencing fabric comes into play. the long tension bars need to be threaded through vertically. This will see the wires weaving around it. The tension bar will then be bolted to the tension bands on the first pole.

Get rid of any slack with your fence, unrolling along the top rail. Periodically, you’ll need to secure the fence to the top and line rails with the wire fence ties. Do so loosely since you want to eliminate any slack easily enough later.

Step Nine: Fence Stretching

Remember that you’re trying to achieve a taut feel here, so you’ll want your fabric to be as tight as possible as you move to the next terminal post in the sequence. Sagging is the last thing you want to see.

Note that this is not something that bare hands can do. That’s where a fence puller comes into the question. One end will be attached to an end of the fence fabric, with the other at the other end of the terminal post. Stretch the fence fabric tight.

You shouldn’t be able to squeeze the fence links more than a 1/4 inch with your fingers. A pair of pliers can then be used to remove leftover fencing. You’ll want to remove one strand from the top and bottom.

A tension bar should be slid through the end of the fabric and bolted to the tension bands. This is the same thing that was done on the other end.

Step 10: Securing Your Fence Fabric

With the fence fabric taut, use further fence ties to secure it to the line poles. One tie should be added every 12 inches and every 2 feet on line posts and the top rail.

Threading tension wire through the bottom and securing it around the posts is a good idea if you want to stop animals from pushing out the bottom of the fence.

The Cost of a Chain Link Fence

Typically, the materials will run you about $4 – $15 per linear foot, with professional installation often costing $5 – $15 per linear foot. When labor and materials are combined, an average fence will often cost around $2,000.

The Bottom Line

As you can see from the steps above, a chain link fence installation can be very involved. If you want the best results, consider hiring a professional.