Wood Fence Calculator Project Checklist

Introduction

Fence projects fail in the planning, not the building. This checklist compresses everything in these guides into a single pre-install sequence — every verification, measurement, and purchase in the order it should happen, so nothing gets discovered mid-project.

Work through it top to bottom before you buy lumber. The quantities it references come from the Wood Fence Calculator; the reasoning behind each line lives in the linked guides.

1. Legal and Administrative

• ☐ Confirm height limits for your lot zones (typical: 6 ft / 1.83 m rear/side, 3–4 ft / 0.91–1.22 m front) — see the code compliance guide.
• ☐ Pull the fence permit if required ($50–$200); note any inspection stages, especially post-hole inspections that must happen before concrete is poured.
• ☐ Get HOA architectural approval in writing if applicable (allow 2–6 weeks); confirm approved materials, colours, and styles.
• ☐ Verify the property line — locate survey pins or order a survey ($300–$600) if pins are missing or the old fence’s origin is unknown.
• ☐ Call 811 for utility marking at least a few business days before digging; keep the ticket number with your project papers.
• ☐ Check for corner-lot sight-triangle restrictions and utility or drainage easements on your lot.
• ☐ Talk to affected neighbours, especially for shared-boundary runs; agree on cost-sharing in writing if applicable.

2. Measurement and Estimate

• ☐ Sketch the lot; label each fence run (A, B, C) per the estimating guide.
• ☐ Walk and measure each run along the fence path (not the property line); record gate openings separately.
• ☐ Choose style, height, post spacing (6 ft / 1.83 m for privacy), and rails per section (3 for 6-ft).
• ☐ Run the numbers through the calculator: pickets (~2.2/ft incl. waste), posts (run ÷ spacing + 1), rails, concrete (~2 bags/post), stain (length × height × 2 sides ÷ coverage).
• ☐ Add gates as separate line items: gate posts (6×6), hinges, latch, brace hardware ($200–$500 each).
• ☐ Price the list at 2–3 local suppliers; confirm bundle quantities and delivery fees.

3. Materials and Tools

• ☐ Species chosen (cedar / treated pine / redwood) — see the material guide; ground-contact-rated treated posts regardless.
• ☐ Fasteners: exterior coated screws or stainless (≈2 per picket per rail crossing); never plain nails on cedar.
• ☐ Stain: gallons = area ÷ 150–300 sq ft/gal (14–28 m²/gal); plan both faces.
• ☐ Tools secured: power auger rental, circular saw, drill/driver, 4-ft level, string line, 100-ft tape.
• ☐ Delivery scheduled — 330 pickets plus 78 rails is multiple pickup loads; plan delivery, not hauling.
• ☐ Lumber storage ready: flat, stickered, covered — per the material guide’s storage rules.

4. Site Preparation

• ☐ Old fence removed; disposal arranged (dump fees or hauler).
• ☐ Fence line cleared: vegetation, stumps, and debris within 2 ft (0.6 m) of the line.
• ☐ Post positions spray-painted from continuous measurement; obstacles dodged with ±6 in (15 cm) shifts.
• ☐ String lines set (top and ground level); batter boards at ends.
• ☐ Utility marks verified against post positions — shift marks, not holes, if there’s a conflict.

5. Build Sequence

• ☐ Dig post holes: 10–12 in (25–30 cm) diameter, 1/3 of post in ground (3 ft / 0.91 m for 6-ft fence), below frost line where applicable.
• ☐ Set posts in concrete, crowned 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) above grade, braced plumb — installation details in pro tips.
• ☐ Wait 24–48 hours cure before hanging rails. (Non-negotiable.)
• ☐ Hang rails: 3 per section on 6-ft privacy; check level every section.
• ☐ Hang pickets: 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) ground clearance, pre-drill ends, two fasteners per rail crossing.
• ☐ Build and hang gates: through-bolted hinges on 6×6 posts, diagonal bracing.
• ☐ Stain within 4–6 weeks (or pre-stain before hanging); both faces plus ends.
• ☐ Final walkthrough: plumb posts, consistent top line, gate swing and latch, cleanup.

6. Budget Double-Check

Before committing, confirm the full budget against the cost guide ranges:

• ☐ Materials total within $8–$20/ft DIY planning band for your species and style.
• ☐ Hidden costs covered: permit, survey (if needed), disposal, auger rental, gate hardware, stain.
• ☐ If hiring: 3+ itemized bids received; post depth, setting method, and lumber spec in writing; ≤1/3 deposit.
• ☐ Contingency: 10% over the materials total for the surprises (there is always one).

Related Guides

• Wood Fence Complete Guide — the flagship estimating overview.
• Code Compliance — the legal items on this checklist, explained.
• Common Fence Estimating Mistakes — what this checklist prevents.
• DIY vs Pro — deciding which checklist items are yours.
• Case Study — this checklist applied to a hypothetical 150-ft project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first before building a fence?

Check local height limits and permit requirements, then verify the property line. Those two steps — both free or cheap — prevent the only truly catastrophic outcomes: rebuilds and boundary disputes.

How far in advance should I call 811?

At least a few business days before digging — most states require 48–72 hours’ notice by law, and the marking is free. Call before you rent the auger, not after.

What tools do I need to install a fence?

Power auger (rented), circular saw, drill/driver, 4-ft level, string line, 100-ft tape, and basic digging tools. Budget $150–$300 for rental and consumables if buying new.

How much extra material should I order?

10% over the geometric count on pickets, 5% on posts and rails, rounded up — plus one spare rail per run. The waste allowance is the cheapest insurance on the job: it covers warped boards, miscuts, and the odd split, and spares from the same batch match your stain colour if you ever need a repair board.

Should the estimate come before or after the permit?

Before — you need the material list and site plan to apply for most permits, and the permit review may change your height or setback, which changes the estimate. Estimate first, permit second, order lumber third.

When should I schedule the building inspection?

At whatever stages your permit requires — commonly post-hole depth before concrete, and/or a final inspection. Know the stages before you dig; an inspection can’t happen after the concrete is poured.

Get Your Number

A checked box is cheaper than a dug hole. Work this list in order, generate your material list with the Wood Fence Calculator, and you’ll start building with every unknown converted into a known — which is the entire difference between a project and a problem.

Disclaimer: This checklist is general planning guidance; local codes, permit requirements, and site conditions vary. Calculator results are planning estimates. Verify quantities with your supplier and consult a licensed professional or your local building authority for structural or code-related decisions.