You've picked your material, signed off on the layout, and circled the date. Now you're wondering what the day actually looks like. Here's exactly what happens when the Top Rail Fence crew shows up at your Fort Worth home.
The Night Before
Do a quick walk along your fence line and clear anything in the way — garden hoses, potted plants, lawn ornaments, outdoor furniture. The crew needs open access to dig from one end to the other without stopping every few feet.
Put a plan in place for your pets. Keep dogs inside or confined to a part of the yard well away from the work area. Even calm dogs can create hazards around open post holes and power equipment.
If any portion of your fence sits near a shared property line, a quick heads-up to your neighbor is always a good move.
Morning: The Crew Arrives
The Top Rail Fence crew arrives between 9 and 10 a.m. Before any digging starts, the lead installer walks the property with you to confirm the fence line, review gate placements, and flag anything that needs attention. This is the time to speak up if something looks different than you expected on paper — adjustments are easy before the first hole is dug.
Post locations are marked along the line, and you can rest easy knowing Top Rail calls 811 in advance of every job to identify underground utilities before breaking ground.
Mid-Morning: Post Holes and Setting
Once the walkthrough is done, the crew gets to work digging post holes — typically the loudest part of the day. Fort Worth's clay-heavy soil is notoriously tough, and our crews come prepared with the right equipment to handle it.
Posts go into concrete and are checked for plumb before the mix is left to cure. Depending on your fence type and the concrete used, rails and pickets may go up the same day or the following morning.
Afternoon: Rails, Pickets, and Gates
This is where your fence starts looking like a fence. Rails span between the posts, then pickets or panels are attached along a string line to keep everything level. For sloped yards, the crew follows the grade so the finished product looks intentional, not haphazard.
Gates go in last. A properly hung gate takes time — the hardware needs to be set precisely so it swings freely and latches without forcing it. Before leaving, the crew does a final walk with you to make sure everything meets your expectations.
Do You Need to Be Home?
You don't have to be present all day, but make sure the crew can access your backyard before you leave and that someone is reachable by phone in case a quick decision needs to be made on-site. Plan to be available for the final walkthrough so any concerns can be addressed before the crew wraps up.
How Long Does It Take?
A typical residential fence in Fort Worth — say, 150 to 200 linear feet — takes one full day for a two- to three-person crew. Larger projects or complex layouts with multiple gates may carry into a second day.
Installation day doesn't have to be a mystery. Top Rail Fence handles every step of the process, from permits to final cleanup, so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your new fence.
