1.) I'm going to describe how to set a new wood fence with metal poles right on the property lines of a residents that does not currently have a fence. Take a trip to your city hall and get a plot plan that will help in finding the pins that mark the corners of your property. Their usually made of iron pipe so a metal detector might be of some help and expect to find them buried under the surface. if your fence will be placed right on the property line at the rear and up each side and ending before it reaches the front property line, your in luck because that is exactly what I'm about to explain. Locate a corner pin at the rear of the property and drive a wood stake 12" minimum towards the outside of the property line from the center of the pipe. Do this again measuring at a right angle to the first stake. We're doing this because we're going to pull this iron pipe then dig a hole and set a fence pole that will then be your new property pin. The wood stakes are to reference the exact location to place these poles.

2.) Once a rear corner pin has been located and two wood stakes installed as explained above, pull the pipe from the ground. You may need to use a jack and wrap a chain around the pipe to remove it. Dig a hole where the pipe was 24" deep and a minimum of 4" larger than the pole. Dump about 6" of concrete into the hole followed with some water. Drop the pole in and attach a pole setting level to set plumb in both directions. Measure the distance from the wood stakes to the center of your pole and adjust the bottom till you have the reference measurement both ways and the pole is plumb. Pour some more concrete and water then double check for plumb and the reference measurement again before filling the hole completely to the top with water and concrete. You may if you like but its not necessary to premix the concrete before pouring into the hole. Repeat for the other rear corner.

3.) Locate the front property pins. Measuring from the center of the pin, set a stake towards the outside of your side property line 1/2 the distance of the fence pole thickness. Setup a string from that point to the outside edge of the rear corner pole previously set. Set a pole where you want the fence to end or turn towards the house. Repeat for the other side property line. Running a string along the outside of the poles near the top as well as the bottom will help to lineup the fence. Measure the distance between each set of poles now installed. Poles need to be set 8' on center starting from the far side of a corner pole. Mark your pole locations and drill your holes and set your poles as before.

4.) Following the same directions to set poles where you want the fence to return to the house. Where a gate will be installed, set a pole on each side of the opening. Usually these poles would be of a thicker wall design then the regular poles. Regular being .065" wall thickness and heavy duty being .095".

5.) Install the brackets used to secure the fence to the poles, do not tighten on the pole at this time. Brackets on corner poles need special attention, the outside ear that attaches to the fence rail will need to be removed. Set the first section at the corner, holding it flush to the outside edge of the pole, fasten the top bracket to the fence rail. Raise the section 1/2 to 3/4" and tighten the bracket to the pole. Fasten the top bracket to the fence rail at the other end of the first section but don't tighten. Go to the other end of this run and temporarily snug the top and middle brackets. Screw a 2x4 to the bracket so the end is higher off the ground then the fence would be. Measure from the ground the height of the fence plus 1/2 to 3/4" and put a mark on the side of the 2x4 facing the pole. Tack a nail on this mark and run a string from this nail to a nail tacked to the top of the first section at the corner. Check the height to the string from the ground in several locations, if the height is more than 4" higher than the fence sections, earth or wood may need to be brought in after the installation to close the gap. An alternative would be to set each section closer to the ground till the fence is back inline with the string, and yes it will probably be noticeable. If the ground is high in the middle, cut the bottom of the section or remove the high spot.

6.) Once all the fence is installed you can make the gates. If you didn't leave an opening for the gate, determine its location and use a power saw to cut an opening. With the section you just cut or a section you will now cut to fit the opening, mount a vertical 2x4 to the back of the pickets in between the rails so the hinges have something to fasten to. Install 2x4's where the other half of the hinge will secure the gate to the fence. Now hang the gate and check to see that it opens without hitting the ground, if so, remove it and trim off the bottom. Close the gate and install 2x4's at an angle between the rails to keep the gate from sagging. Install the latch and cut off any poles that may be above the fence, don't forget to put the caps on metal fence poles to keep any water out that might cause rust.