How to Install a Vinyl Fence Like a Pro

Before installing a fence, it’s important to know where you can install it and to obtain the proper approvals. You should check your property deed to ensure that where you plan to put your fence is 1) within your property line and 2) is not under easement, such as belonging to a public utility company.

If you want to build right up against your property line, make sure to talk with your neighbors. You don’t want to be in a situation where everyone is debating who owns the fence, so clear up any confusion on where you can install it before marking post holes.

Finally, make sure to check with your municipality about proper permits, and call 811 before you dig to have pros come out and mark the site of any utility lines.

With the property information sorted with neighbors and officials, it’s time to start outlining the fence. Insert stakes along where you want the fence to be, then tie string tightly to one stake and pull it to the next stake until it’s taut. Continue until all stakes are connected via string.

The distance between fence posts depends on the size of your fence. Start at one corner of the fence line as the first post, then measure from that post to find the next post spot. For gateposts, leave an extra 1 1/4 inch of space between those posts to create more space for the gate hinges. Adjust the stakes to mark post spots, or use spray paint or landscape flags.

• If your fence panel size is 6 feet, your post size should be 5x5 inches, and the distance between posts should be 73.25 inches or 6.10 feet.

• If your fence panel size is 8 feet, your post size should be 4x4 inches, and the distance between posts should be 96 inches or 8 feet.

Use a post hole digger or a power auger to dig post holes around 3 feet deep. The actual fence post depth depends on the size of your fence posts. 

A 6-foot-tall post will need a hole that’s 27 to 42 inches deep, while an 8-foot-tall post needs a hole about 35 to 54 inches deep. The diameter of the hole should be twice the diameter of the post, meaning a 5x5 post should have a hole that’s 10 inches wide.

For gate posts, where you’ll install a gate for entry, follow the same guidelines, but you should add another 6 inches of depth to the post hole.

Fill each hole with 6 inches of gravel to allow water to drain rather than sitting against the fence post and damaging it.

For vinyl fence posts, start by filling the corner post holes in concrete rather than placing the post in first and then surrounding it with concrete. Vinyl posts have weep holes to allow the concrete into the post, adding more stability.

Mix the cement in a wheelbarrow according to package directions, then add it into the post holes and gatepost holes using a shovel. Leave a few inches of space between the top of the concrete and the ground surface.

To install a fence post, center it over the concrete-filled post hole, then tap it down into place inside the concrete. Use a level to help with centering. 

Once it’s in place, fill the hole with more concrete until there’s a couple inches of space between the top of the concrete and the surface of the ground. After the concrete dries, you can fill the rest with more gravel or soil.

Repeat for all fence corners before moving on to do the same for the remaining posts. Make sure to realign the string as you set each post so that you know exactly where your fence panels should go. Let the concrete cure for 24 to 48 hours before installing rails or panels.

Screw in the bottom rails between each post using the hardware included with your vinyl fence products. The rails will hold the fence panels (or individual pickets, if you’re installing by picket versus by panel).

Next, tap a friend to help carry and slide each panel (or picket) into place. Vinyl is one of the types of fences that’s lightweight, so this process should be quick compared to installing wood or metal.

If you’re installing by the picket, add the top rail to finish the fence panels.

With the panels in place, you’re almost finished. Now, it’s time to install a gate if you want one. Start by pre-drilling holes in the gate and on the gateposts for any hardware, such as the hinges and the lock. Attach the hardware following the manufacturer’s instructions, and have a helper hold the gate in place while you attach it to the hinges.

Finally, run a bead of vinyl fence adhesive around the inside of the top of the posts. Then, insert the post tops and push downward firmly for 10 seconds to attach the adhesive. Or, simply snap the post tops into place—how you install them depends on your specific fence.