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You can DIY a stockade fence installation, but prepare to put in some good sweat equity. For the best results, carefully plan the exact location of your fence before you break ground. In particular, carefully map out your post locations before setting them in concrete. Be sure to call your local utility company before digging to avoid damaging underground wiring and causing severe injury.

On the other hand, installing stockade fencing on your own might sound too overwhelming. It’s certainly time-consuming and labor-intensive. Besides the hard work, you must install it properly to avoid gaps. Unless you’re confident you can get the job done right, hiring a privacy fence installer near you is the way to go.

If you only use your gate as a pedestrian, walking through without a vehicle, you’re fine to stick with a single fence gate. If your fence opening needs to accommodate vehicles of any kind, from cars to trucks to 4-wheelers, then a double fence gate will suit the space much better and give you more freedom. 

A high-quality wrought iron fence is one of the most durable options available and can last a lifetime, or even centuries, with proper care. However, wrought iron is susceptible to rust and corrosion if not maintained.

To maximize its lifespan, regular maintenance is required. This includes:

• Cleaning the fence with soapy water every six months.

• Scrubbing away any rust or corrosion as soon as it appears.

• Applying a new coat of paint or refinishing the fence every few years to protect the metal from moisture and oxygen. The recommended frequency varies, with sources suggesting anywhere from every 1 to 10 years.

If significant rust develops, it's wise to hire a professional fence repair company to clean the rust and reseal the fence. The cost to refinish a fence is typically between $5 and $12 per square foot, a worthwhile investment to ensure its longevity.

Most homeowners don't need to inform their neighbors before constructing a fence, according to the law, but you will need to make sure that you’re building on the property line or on your side of the property line. Otherwise, the neighbor could complain, which would require you to tear down and reinstall the fence. In any case, keeping them in the loop is the neighborly thing to do!

Whether you inform your neighbors or not, always use property records and a land survey to ensure your fence stays within your property boundaries.