Wood Fence Installation Guide

Complete walkthrough: layout, posts, rails, pickets, and finishing.

A complete wood fence install in 8 phases.

1. Plan & Permit

Check codes, HOA rules, utility lines (call 811). See permits guide.

2. Layout

Mark corners, run string, mark post locations at consistent spacing (typically 8 ft). Use the Post Spacing Calculator.

3. Dig Holes

Use a power auger or post-hole digger.

4. Set Posts

Concrete in, brace plumb, cure 24+ hours.

5. Attach Rails

Two rails for 4 ft fence, three for 6 ft+.

6. Install Pickets

Use a spacer block for consistent gaps.

7. Add Caps & Trim

8. Stain or Seal

Wait 2–4 weeks, then apply stain. See the staining guide.

Estimate everything with the Wood Fence Calculator.

Choosing picket nails? See our fence picket nail guide.

Choosing posts? See our fence post buying guide.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What order do you build a wood fence in?

Lay out and mark the line, dig and set all the posts, let the concrete cure, then hang the rails, then the pickets, then caps and trim. Setting every post before any rail goes on is what keeps the fence straight; working post-rail-post-rail down the line accumulates error you cannot get back.

Should fence rails be nailed or screwed?

Screwed, into rated exterior screws or through joist-hanger style brackets. Nails work loose as the wood cycles through wet and dry, and a rail that has loosened at one end drops the whole section. Use fasteners rated for the preservative in treated lumber, or they corrode.

How many rails does a wood fence need?

Two for a 4 ft fence, three for 6 ft, and three or four for 8 ft. Under-railing is why fences bow: with only two rails on a 6 ft fence the middle of every picket is unsupported and the run develops a wave within a couple of seasons.

Should pickets touch the ground?

No. Leave a gap of an inch or two so the end grain is not sitting in wet soil and leaf litter, which is where pickets rot first. If you need the gap closed for a dog, add a kickboard — a wider board that is easy and cheap to replace when it eventually rots.

Do I stain before or after installing the fence?

Before, if you can face it. Pre-staining lets you coat all six faces of every board, including the two edges and the bottom end that you can never reach once the fence is up — and those hidden faces are exactly where water gets in. Touch up the cut ends and fastener heads afterwards.

Wood Fence Installation Guide

1. Plan & Permit

2. Layout

3. Dig Holes

4. Set Posts

5. Attach Rails

6. Install Pickets

7. Add Caps & Trim

8. Stain or Seal

❓ Frequently asked questions

What order do you build a wood fence in?

Should fence rails be nailed or screwed?

How many rails does a wood fence need?

Should pickets touch the ground?

Do I stain before or after installing the fence?

📬 Free Fencing Cost Guide

🔧 Recommended Fencing Tools & Supplies

2 Pcs Fence Post Repair Kit, Heavy Duty Fence Post Anchor Ground Stakes for Repair Tilted, Broken Wood Support

SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4 Inch Circular Saw with Single Beam Laser Guide - 5280-01

DAP Ready-Mixed Concrete Patch, Gray, 32 Oz (7079831084) | Concrete Patches, Concrete Repair, Masonry Repair Products, Ready To Use Patches, DAP 31084 Patch, 1 qt Pail

Olympic WaterGuard 1 gal Woodland Cedar Wood Stain & Sealer | Water-Based Deck, Fence & Siding Stain, Waterproofing UV, Semi-Transparent

Goovilla 4x4 Post Caps Black(Actual 3.5" x 3.5"), 24 Pack with 48 Screws | Easy Installation Fence Post Caps, Sturdy Waterproof Plastic Deck Post Caps with Frosted Finishing Touch, Protect Wood Post

DEWALT 20V MAX Circular Saw Cordless, Battery Not Included (DCS391B)