Chain link is the cheapest fence you can install yourself in Kansas City — about $8–$14 per linear foot in materials versus $18–$28 installed. The catch: it's the easiest fence to install *badly*. A sagging top rail or loose fabric will haunt you for 15 years. Here's the exact sequence a paid crew uses.
Quick answer: how long does a chain link fence take to install?
For a 150 ft, 4 ft tall galvanized chain link fence with one walk gate, a 2-person crew works 1.5 to 2 days. A DIY homeowner with rented tools should plan on 2 weekends — one for posts and concrete cure, one for fabric and tensioning.
Tools and materials you'll need
- Power auger (rent — 6 to 8 inch bit, $80–$120/day in KC)
- Come-along / fence puller (rent or buy — this is non-negotiable for tight fabric)
- Tension bar and tension bands (one set per terminal/corner/gate post)
- Crescent wrench, pliers, hog ring pliers
- Terminal posts (2 3/8" OD for corners, ends, gates) — set in concrete
- Line posts (1 5/8" or 1 7/8" OD) — set every 10 ft
- Top rail (1 3/8" OD swaged tubing — runs the full length)
- Chain link fabric (galvanized 11.5-gauge for residential, 9-gauge for commercial)
- Tension wire (9-gauge — runs along the bottom)
- Concrete (one 50 lb Quikrete bag per line post, two per terminal)
- Tie wires (aluminum — one every 12 inches on rail, every 24 inches on tension wire)
Step 1 — Call 811 and check the property line
Free utility locates in Kansas and Missouri. Call 811 at least 3 business days before you dig. While you're waiting, pull your plat or get a survey — assume nothing about where the line actually is. KC neighbors will *not* be quiet about a fence 4 inches over.
Step 2 — Set terminal posts first
Terminal posts (corners, ends, gates) anchor the entire fence. They go in 36 inches deep (Kansas City frost line) in a hole 10–12 inches wide, with two 50 lb bags of concrete each.
- Dig a square footing flare at the bottom so the concrete plug can't be pushed up by frost heave.
- Set posts so the top is at your fence height + 2 inches (a 4 ft fence uses posts 4'2" above grade — the fabric is 4 ft, the top rail sits above).
- Plumb in two directions and brace with 2×4 scraps until the concrete kicks (24 hours for Quikrete, 72 hours for standard mix).
Step 3 — String a line and set line posts
Run a mason line from terminal to terminal at the height of the future top rail. Mark line post locations every 10 ft (chain link fabric is sold in 50 ft rolls — keep spacing consistent).
- Line posts go 30 inches deep with one 50 lb bag of concrete.
- Top of line post = top of terminal post minus 2 inches (the top rail will slide *through* line post tops).
Step 4 — Install loop caps and top rail
- Slide a loop cap on each line post.
- Slip the swaged end of top rail through each loop cap, joining 21 ft sections as you go.
- At the terminal post, install a rail end cup with a brace band, and cut the top rail to length.
Step 5 — Hang fabric
This is where most DIY jobs fall apart. Don't skip the tension bar.
1. Unroll fabric flat on the ground along the fence line. 2. Weave a tension bar vertically through the first column of fabric. 3. Bolt the tension bar to the tension bands on the starting terminal post — fabric should be 1–2 inches off the ground. 4. Walk the fabric upright along the line posts. 5. At the far terminal, weave another tension bar through the fabric about 12 inches past the post. 6. Hook your come-along between the tension bar and the terminal post, and crank until the fabric is diamond-tight (push on it — should barely flex). 7. Bolt the tension bar to the terminal post's tension bands. 8. Tie fabric to top rail every 12 inches, to line posts every 14 inches.
Step 6 — Run tension wire
A 9-gauge tension wire along the bottom keeps animals from pushing under. Stretch it tight (come-along again), then hog-ring the fabric to it every 24 inches.
Step 7 — Hang the gate
Use two gate hinges (top and bottom) bolted to the gate post. Most gates need 1–2 inches of swing clearance. Install the gate latch at a comfortable height (~36 inches for adults).
Kansas City-specific tips
- Frost line is 36 inches — terminal posts shallower than this *will* heave in 2–3 winters.
- Clay soil holds water — flare the bottom of post holes outward so concrete locks in like an upside-down funnel.
- Don't install in summer afternoons over 90°F — your hands will hate hog rings and the fabric expands, then sags in winter.
- Check Overland Park and Lee's Summit codes — chain link in front yards is restricted in many subdivisions, and some HOAs ban it entirely.
When DIY isn't worth it
If the run includes more than 2 corners, a gate wider than 6 ft, slopes greater than 10%, or you don't have help with the come-along — call a pro. A typical 150 ft installed chain link job in KC runs $2,700–$4,200, and the time savings usually beat the DIY math.
FAQs
How deep do chain link fence posts need to be in Kansas City? Terminal posts 36 inches; line posts 30 inches. Anything shallower will heave with the frost.
Can I install a chain link fence without concrete? Technically yes, with driven steel posts on flat ground for temporary use — but for any permanent installation in Kansas City clay, concrete footings are required to prevent frost heave and post lean.
Do I need a permit for chain link in Kansas City? Kansas City, MO requires a permit for fences over 6 ft. Overland Park requires a permit for any fence. Most HOAs have additional rules. Always check before you dig.
What gauge chain link is best for residential? 11.5-gauge galvanized for residential (lighter, cheaper). 9-gauge for commercial or high-traffic applications. Vinyl coating (PVC) adds 15–25% to cost but doubles the lifespan in KC weather.
Will a chain link fence hold a large dog? Yes — a 6 ft fence with bottom tension wire and tight fabric will contain most dogs. For diggers, add a buried 12-inch L-footing of fabric or a concrete mow strip.
How much does professional chain link installation cost in Kansas City? $18–$28 per linear foot installed for 4 ft galvanized; $24–$36 for 6 ft. Vinyl-coated runs $4–$7/lf more. See our [chain link cost guide](/chain-link-fence-installation-cost) for a full breakdown.
Have questions about your project? Request a free quote or call us anytime.