DIY Fence Project

Hi, Jake here 👋

We needed a fence to keep our dog from wandering the neighborhood. Chain link was the easy option — until I saw the $5,000 quote. No way I’m spending that much for a dog run. So I decided to see if I could build something strong, cheap, and decent-looking myself.

📸 Starting Point

🪚 The Design

Instead of chain link, I went with a simple design:

• Pressure-treated 4x4 posts set ~2 ft deep (shortened to 4 ft when using anchors)
• 2x4 rails top and bottom
• Deer netting stretched and stapled between posts and rails

Fence Netting (Deer)

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This stuff holds up pretty good and is rated for different loads, I went with the lowest at 600 lbs - That should be plenty for a golden retriever!

Lightweight, affordable, and effective — the netting keeps the dog in without blocking the view.

🛒 Picking Up Materials (Menards Experience)

To start, I made a few trips to Menards for posts, rails, paint, and hardware. If you’ve never bought lumber there, you grab a ticket for the size/quantity you need, pay inside, then drive to the outdoor yard in back. The attendants check your receipt and your load before you drive out. Super efficient, though it took me a few laps around the stacks to find straight boards.

📸 Gallery: Menards Pickup

📏 Materials & Dimensions

• Posts: 6 ft pressure-treated 4x4s, ~2 ft buried (no concrete; cut to 4 ft when using anchors)
• Rails: 8 ft pressure-treated 2x4s (top & bottom)
• Netting: Deer netting stapled to rails and posts
• Fasteners: Exterior-grade screws + staples
• Paint: Deck Correct, three gallons, two coats all around
• Extras: Lighted post toppers + gate hardware kit
• Tools: Post hole digger, staple gun, circular saw, mini pocket jig, 3 lb hammer

Stretch 1 (smaller side): ~35 ft long, stepped design to follow grade, includes a gate
Stretch 2 (hill side): ~115 ft long, follows the slope through woods using post anchors

Total: ~150 ft of fencing

🪵 Stretch #1 — The Gate & Rails

For the smaller side with the gate, I tried out a pocket jig for attaching rails. It worked but was slow. Eventually I switched to just driving screws in at an angle — faster and still solid. A circular saw handled all the cuts cleanly and gave me confidence I didn’t have starting out.

Gate Hardware Kit

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This kit is not the best quality, and the fit wasn't perfect, but I couldn't argue with the price. Again if this was a public facing fence I would use a better kit, but it meets the needs for me. I use it to get the lawn mower through and that's it :)

Pocket Jig

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Kreg is the name in the pocket jig world. THis worked for my use case, and I'll use it on some other project I have coming up in the future. (Work Bench, etc)

Screws

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This length did just fine and comes with the bits you need.

Circular Saw

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This saw got me through my project and it was a champ. If you have existing batteries in the Craftsman product line, they should work, but I do recommend the 20 volt upgrade. Battery lasted multiple days! (V20 Lithium Ion Battery, 4.0-Amp Hour (CMCB204))

📸 Gallery: Stretch 1 — Stepped Run

🌳 Stretch #2 — The Sloped Hill

This side was brutal — rocky soil, long slope, and way too much digging. I swapped the shovel for post holder anchors and instantly saved myself hours.

Instead of digging 2 ft holes and wrestling concrete, I cut 6 ft posts down to 4 ft and drove them into these anchors. It wasn’t just faster — it was the difference between finishing the project in a week versus giving up.

Post Anchor Ground Spike 16 inch

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These are easier to line up with your measurement, and work well for lighter duty. I had 4x4x4 and they have held up great. I would probably not go higher than 4 ft with these.

Post Anchor Ground Spike 24 inch

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Much better quality but harder to work with.

For rails, I ditched the pocket jig and drove screws in at an angle: faster, still solid. A spacer jig held the top rail while I worked solo.

📸 Gallery: Slope Method Build

🎨 Paint & Netting

Two coats of Deck Correct sealed the wood. After that came the unsung hero: deer netting. Lightweight, inexpensive, and almost invisible from a distance — but it keeps the dog in.

The key was pulling it tight and fastening it properly. My staple gun + heavy-duty staples made this way easier than I expected. If you don’t have one, get one — hammering nails would’ve been a nightmare.

Deck Correct

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I wouldn't order this on Amazon, but I've included it as a reference. I would go into the hardware store and mix up the paint color you need.

Fence Netting (Deer)

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This stuff holds up pretty good and is rated for different loads, I went with the lowest at 600 lbs - That should be plenty for a golden retriever!

Staple Gun

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The gold standard staple gun. I've used this on many projects and Arrow makes a good one!

Staples

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Arrow staples work perfect with the Arrow T50 Staple gun!

✨ Finishing Touches

For style and function, I added solar caps on the posts for nighttime visibility, plus some simple flat caps on the rest. Small detail, but it makes the fence look finished.

Fence Posts Solar Caps

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These were such a good value compared to other brands. I saw these at Menards too but found a better price on Amazon. The install super easy and you have the choice between a 3000K lumens or 5000K daylight mode. They charge during the day and have a dusk to dawn sensor, so they'll turn on when it is dark. Remember to pull the film off the top and the battery saver tab.

Fence Posts Caps

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These were a good value for the less visible posts, I didn't need to spend as much on these but wanted a nice look.

💵 Material Costs

Total: $977.88 in materials
Savings vs. chain link quotes: $4,022.12

📝 Lessons Learned

• Rocks will test your patience — have alternate post spots in mind.
• For a non–load-bearing fence, packed dirt works; concrete optional (but smart at gates).
• Circular saw confidence pays off.
• Post holders save time in rocky or sloped ground (24" are sturdier).
• Do not drive anchors with a 4x4 — use a 2x4 + heavy hammer.
• Spacer tricks make solo-building realistic.
• Deer netting is underrated: cheap, quick, and stronger than it looks.
• Staple gun + staples are worth every penny.

🐕 The Result

End of the day, it’s not perfect, but it’s ours. The dog’s safe, the view’s open, and my budget survived. Six project days later, I learned way more than I would’ve writing a check.

📸 Gallery: Finished Fence