Fence installation time is mostly about planning, not swinging hammers. Here is what sets the clock, from the first call to the final walk-through.
The short answer
Fence installation time has two parts: the planning before the crew shows up and the days on site. Many backyard fences go up in a matter of days once materials are on the property. The calendar time from first call to finished fence is longer, because approvals, ordering and scheduling come first. Here is how each part works, so you can plan around it.
Before the crew arrives
The fastest projects are the ones where decisions are made early. That means the fence type, wood, style and height are chosen before scheduling, and any approvals are in hand.
- A site visit and a free on-site estimate
- Choosing material, style, height and gate locations
- HOA approval, if your neighborhood has an association
- A city permit, if one applies to your fence
- Confirming property lines
- A utility locate request before any digging
- Ordering and delivery of materials
HOA approval and permits vary the most, and they are the steps outside anyone's control, so start them early.
On site: how the days go
On a typical wood fence, the crew lays out the line, digs and sets the posts, then hangs rails, boards and gates. Concrete around posts needs time to set before boards add load, so the work happens in stages. Weather matters as well. We do not install in the rain because wet ground makes ruts and a messier job, so a rainy forecast moves your install to the next available day. See wood fence installation for how a wood fence goes in.
Timeline by fence type
Chain link fence installation is generally the quickest to put up. Wood takes longer because of the boards and finishing. Wrought iron fences and custom gates take longer overall, because the sections and gates are fabricated and finished before installation. Long runs of agricultural fencing depend mostly on total length and terrain.
A single gate repair is a matter of days. A full property fence line is weeks from first call to final walk-through.
Decisions to make before we schedule
Three choices affect the calendar more than any others. The first is material: cedar, pine, iron and chain link all have different lead times and different install steps. The second is style, since board on board takes more boards and more labor than side by side. The third is gates. A standard walk gate is quick, while a wide custom gate has to be built and finished, and an automatic one has to be wired. Make these calls early and your start date firms up.
Weather in North Texas
Stormy or wet weeks are the most common reason a start date moves, and North Texas gets its share of them. Wet ground makes post holes messy and can leave ruts in the yard, so we wait for workable conditions. A day of delay for weather is normal and does not mean the job is off track. We tell you when the schedule shifts so you are never left guessing.
What slows a fence job down
- Changing material or style after the order is placed
- Waiting on HOA approval or a permit
- Rain or wet ground on install days
- Unmarked utilities, roots or rock in the fence line
- Custom gates that have to be fabricated and finished
- Stain that needs to be applied to new wood after it dries
Almost all of these can be avoided by settling the details at the start.
How to keep your fence on schedule
Decide on style and height early, ask your HOA before you sign, and tell us about gates, slopes and trees at the walk-through. We talk through timing with you at the estimate and keep you updated as the work goes. You can find our approach on the about page, see the guide to fence installation cost for budgeting, or check our FAQ for other common questions.
What you can do to keep the schedule tight
Walk your fence line before the consult and note anything unusual: a slope, a tree close to the line, a sprinkler head, an old post that has been concreted in. Have your HOA rules and any survey handy. Tell us if the fence has to be finished by a certain date, such as before a party, a move-in or a pool inspection, so we can say honestly whether that date is realistic.
Ready to plan yours?
We install in Keller, Watauga, North Richland Hills, Southlake, Westlake and Roanoke. To talk timing on your fence, contact us or call (817) 308-8648, and we will give you a realistic window for your property.
Want a realistic schedule?
Describe your project and we will talk through timing, then give you a free on-site estimate.