Planning & Installing a Fence

Permits, property lines, post spacing, and gates — how a fence gets planned and built. Below are the Ballpark Lab guides in this topic — each one pairs plain-English answers with the calculator that gives you the number.

How it works

How a Fence Is Installed, Step by Step

A fence goes in over six steps: layout and utility marking, post holes, setting posts in concrete, rails and panels, gates, and cleanup. What each involves.

Updated July 6, 2026

How it works

Do You Need a Permit to Build a Fence?

Most U.S. towns require a fence permit — typically $50–$250 — and cap heights at 6 ft in back yards and 3–4 ft in front. Rules, property lines, HOA checks.

Updated July 6, 2026