How Long Does a Fence Installation Take, Start to Finish?

By Brandon Duval · Updated August 2026

Short answer: the building part is fast. Most residential fences go up in one to three days once the crew is on site. The longer answer is that "start to finish" includes everything before that first post hole, and in Michigan that usually puts the whole project in the two to four week range. Here is how the timeline really breaks down so you can plan around it.

The part everyone asks about: install day

The actual install is the quick part. For a typical Ann Arbor backyard, a wood privacy fence takes about two to four days, with posts going in first and boards following once those posts are set. Vinyl and chain link usually wrap in one to two days. Aluminum and other metal fences land around two to three days because the panels need careful alignment.

Yard conditions move that number. Rocky soil slows down post holes. A sloped lot needs the fence stepped or racked to follow the grade, which adds time. A big yard with a lot of linear footage simply takes longer than a small one. None of this is a problem, it just helps to know that your yard sets the pace.

Setting posts and letting them cure

One step you cannot rush is the concrete. After posts go in, the concrete needs to firm up before we hang panels or boards on them. With a standard mix that is usually a day, and cold weather stretches it out. Below 40 degrees, concrete cures noticeably slower, which is one reason a late fall or winter install can take a little longer than the same job in June. We work around it, but it is part of why an install is measured in days, not hours.

What happens before we ever dig

This is the piece most homeowners do not see coming, and it is where most of the calendar goes.

First is the quote and design. You tell us the line you want, the style, the height, and the gates, and we get you a price. Our Fence Estimator gives you a quick number in minutes, and from there we confirm the details for your specific yard.

Next is the permit. As we covered in our Ann Arbor permit guide, most new fences in the city need a zoning compliance permit before any work starts. That review is usually quick, but it is not instant, so it pays to get it in early.

Then comes MISS DIG. Michigan law requires anyone digging to contact MISS DIG 811 and wait at least three business days so the utility companies can come mark their underground lines. This is not optional and it is not something to skip. Those flags in your yard are what keep a post hole from hitting a gas or electric line. We handle the request, but the three day clock is set by the state, so it builds a small wait into every job.

Adding it all up

Stack those phases together and a typical Southeast Michigan fence runs about two to four weeks from the day you say go to the day it is finished. Quote and permit on the front end, the three day MISS DIG window, then the actual build. Busy season can stretch the front end, since spring and summer are when everyone in Ann Arbor wants their fence done at once. Custom materials with a longer lead time can add to it as well.

The way to keep your project short is simple: start earlier than you think you need to. If you want the fence up by the Fourth of July, planning in May beats planning in late June. Get the quote done, get on the schedule, and the rest moves on its own.

Planning a fence this season?

If you are weighing a new fence, the fastest first step is a real number for your yard. Run it through our Fence Estimator, or Book a Call and we will map out a timeline that fits your schedule. Adding a shed to the project too? Start with the Shed Configurator.

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