FenceMeasure the fence line, not the lawn
Start with a sketch that names every endpoint and corner. Confirm the legal boundary from your survey or a qualified surveyor. A visible hedge or an old fence does not prove the boundary. Mark buildings, access paths and areas that must remain reachable.
Record each straight run separately. Measure horizontally between proposed post centers. Write down the direction, slope and any obstruction. For a gate, record both its position along the run and its planned opening. Do not subtract the same gate from two runs.
For a 12 m run with a 1.2 m gate starting at 5 m, the fence occupies 5 m before the gate and 5.8 m after it. Enter all three dimensions in the planner. Before digging, use the utility-location process for your country and check permits, setbacks and local height rules.