As a homeowner deciding to take on your own fence building project could be a daunting task. There are many different materials to choose from, some of them more complex than others. Using metal for your fence can be a great investment, not only are they stronger and more durable than wood they are also relatively easy to install, especially if you purchase a prefabricated metal fence.

1) Creating your fence plan

The first thing you will need to do is to contact your local building regulations to find out about building permits, mandatory setbacks and permissible fence heights. After that you will need to call a underground utility service to come in and mark off all underground utilities before you dig. This includes locating the lines for water, gas, electrical, cable television and telephone. Next you should mark all legal boundaries to ensure your fence does not extend beyond the property line. It is actually a good idea to keep your fence four inches inside your property line just in case. And finally stake out your fence plan using wooden stakes and string so you can get an idea of how it will look and where the posts and gate should be.

2) Digging your post holes

Before you begin it is a good idea to mark all the post locations before you set to drilling. Spray paint works well. The holes for the posts should be at least two feet deep and 8 inches wide. This will ensure that there won't be any sinking or movement after the post is set. Digging holes by hand is back breaking labor, to say the least, so it is advised to rent an auger from your local hardware store.

3) Setting the posts

Before you begin you should place a mark on the post where the post should line up with the surface of the ground. This will ensure you do not set the post too deep. After you have mixed up your concrete, pour a small amount in the hole and then place the first corner post making sure it is square. Then fill the hole with the remaining concrete. Next, set the post at the other corner and once both corners are secure you can run a line that will help to ensure the remaining posts will be set squarely. Set the remaining posts, double-checking everything is square and allow the concrete to cure overnight.

4) Installing the fence panels

The fence panels should go up pretty quickly, however if you have and odd areas between two posts you may need to cut the panel to size. Simply measure the distance between the two posts, taking the measurement from the inside and then subtract a half an inch. The remainder is the length to cut the panel. Before you install the panel make sure you coat the area with a zinc-rich primer, and then paint over it using a matching colour. This will ensure the area you cut will not rust.

And that is it. In just four simple steps you have now installed your very own metal fence. Now get out there and enjoy it.