How to Put Up Chain Link Fence | The Complete Order of Work

A chain link fence goes up in one fixed order: set terminal posts first, then line posts and rail, then stretch and tie the mesh.

Putting up a chain link fence is a two-person weekend job that comes down to doing the steps in the right sequence. Digging, setting, and stretching mistakes are all avoidable when you know what comes first. Here is the order of work that Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Master Halco all agree on, with the specific numbers you need.

The Step-by-Step Order of Work

The entire project follows one sequence: verify lines, dig, set terminal posts, plumb and brace, run the top rail, then stretch fabric. Each step builds on the last, so skipping ahead costs you time later.

Verify Permits, Utilities, and Property Lines

Before any digging, call your local permitting office and have utilities marked. Home Depot’s project guide says to check permitting requirements and utility locations before layout, and Master Halco requires the same plus a survey or survey pins. Set the fence about 4 inches inside the property line to avoid neighbor disputes and encroachment issues.

Lay Out the Fence Line

Mark the fence line with batter boards and mason’s line so you have a straight reference. This is where you set the 4-inch setback from the property line. Walk the layout and confirm gate locations before you dig a single hole.

Dig the Post Holes

Post holes should be three times wider than the post diameter. For terminal posts (end, corner, and gate posts), that means 6 to 8 inches wide; line posts get 4 to 6 inches. Home Depot’s video guidance shows line posts spaced no more than 10 feet apart with holes 20 to 24 inches deep. Add 4 inches of gravel to the bottom of each hole for drainage.

Set Terminal Posts First

Terminal posts carry the tension of the fence, so they go in first and must be plumb. Lowe’s states both rules plainly. Fill terminal-post holes with concrete (about 6 inches after the gravel), plumb the post, and slope the concrete away from the post so water drains off.

Let concrete cure 2 to 3 days per Home Depot, or follow the mix manufacturer’s instructions if they differ; some guides cite 24 to 48 hours. This is a hard waiting period—stretching fabric against unset concrete pulls posts out of plumb.

Install the Top Rail and Fittings

With terminal posts set and cured, run the top rail through loop caps or rail caps on each post. Home Depot and Master Halco both place the top rail before the mesh goes up. This frame is what the fabric ties to, so it must be level and secure before you unroll anything.

Stretch and Attach the Fabric

Master Halco’s instructions are the most detailed here. Start at a terminal post and unroll the fabric along the outside of the fence line. Slide a tension bar through the first row of diamonds and fasten it to the terminal post with tension bands. Then stretch the fabric to the far terminal post, insert the bar, and tension it.

Once the fabric is tight, tie it to the top rail and each line post with fence ties.

If you are choosing between fabric heights or mesh gauges before you start, our chain link garden fence roundup covers the options that hold up best for residential use.

Finish With Gates and Caps

Gate hardware goes on after the fabric is stretched. Finish with post caps on every terminal and line post.

This is the order that works: verify, lay out, set terminals, frame, stretch, finish. Skip the concrete cure and your fence will sag by fall.