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Most privacy fences are easy to install if you’re going with a DIY-friendly option like a wood fence, vinyl fence, or pallet fence. Since pallet fences come in the form of pre-constructed fence panels, they’re often considered the easiest privacy fence to install. Just get your fence stakes in the ground and slide the pallets onto them before securing them with scrapboard.

When considering how much of a gap should be under a fence or gate, a good rule of thumb is to keep gaps between 2 and 5 inches tall. This allows for some ground clearance for the gate but still provides safety for children and pets, who shouldn’t be able to squeeze through a gap of that size.

A setback is an area of space between your fence and the property line, meaning you build a fence a few inches before your neighbor’s property begins. You can build your fence on a setback—some communities recommend this—but this means a sliver of your property will be on your neighbor’s side of your fence.

Who pays for a new fence between neighbors depends on its location relative to the property line. If you build the fence entirely on your property, you are solely responsible for the costs of installation, maintenance, and repair. If the fence is built directly on the property line, both neighbors are typically responsible for the costs. In this case, it is essential to consult with your neighbor beforehand to agree on a plan for payment. While you should always inform your neighbor of your plans in advance, you generally cannot force them to contribute financially unless there are specific local laws, such as in California, where both parties might be responsible for costs unless a different agreement exists. It's a good idea to get a property line survey to know the exact boundaries before building.