Welcome to Fence Bound. I’m Derek Donovan, and I’m the guy who will happily talk fence posts, gate sag, and backyard sightlines over the property line.
I built my first “real” fence out of equal parts stubbornness and sticker shock. When I bought a fixer-upper, the backyard came with a dilapidated chain-link fence and absolutely zero privacy. It felt like living in a fishbowl. I got a few installation quotes, did a long blink at the numbers, and decided I was going to learn how to do it myself. That weekend turned into a 200-foot cedar privacy fence project, and it changed the way I think about outdoor space.
The detail that surprised me most was how quickly layout decisions become permanent. Once you set your first few posts, everything else follows. I learned to obsess over string lines, post spacing, and a square corner before I ever mixed concrete.
What I expected was a boundary. What I got was a backyard that finally felt like mine.
Why fences and privacy became my thing
Once you’ve dug dozens of post holes, you start seeing yards differently. You notice the neighbor’s second-story window line. You spot the windy corner that needs a tighter build. You learn that a fence is not just boards and nails. It’s structure, drainage, soil, hardware, and a plan that holds up through seasons.
Over the years, I’ve built and repaired all kinds of projects, from classic picket enclosures to clean, modern horizontal slat screens. I’ve also helped family and friends tackle their own builds, which taught me something important: most DIY fence problems are not “skill” problems. They’re clarity problems.
People get stuck on the same points:
- How deep posts really need to go for their soil and climate
- What makes a gate stop sagging after one year
- Which wood treatments matter, and which are just marketing
- How to add privacy without making the yard feel boxed in
Fence Bound exists to answer those questions in plain language, with the little details that actually make a build last.
What Fence Bound does
The mission is simple: demystify fence building and backyard privacy so homeowners can plan, build, and maintain outdoor boundaries with confidence.
When you’re working on your own property, you deserve advice that respects your time, budget, and learning curve. I’m detail-oriented about structural integrity, wood treatments, and gate hardware, but I’m also realistic. Not every weekend goes perfectly. Concrete can set faster than you expect. A post hole hits a rock. A level falls over at the worst time. We work the problem and keep going.
One important note on scope: Fence Bound is practical, homeowner-focused guidance, not a substitute for local requirements or professional advice. Before you dig, confirm your property line and check any permits or HOA rules that apply. And if you’re putting posts in the ground, call 811 to have utilities marked first.
If you’re new here, start wherever your project is currently stuck:
- DIY Installation & Maintenance for hands-on building steps, upkeep, and repair mindset
- Fence Styles & Materials to sort out what to build and what to build it from
- Gates & Hardware for hinges, latches, post bracing, and all the parts that make a fence usable
- Privacy Screens & Alternatives when you need privacy but a full fence is not the right answer
What to expect
I try to write the way I build: methodical, practical, and aimed at a result that stays solid after the “new project glow” wears off.
Clear steps
You’ll see real sequences, tool considerations, and the small checkpoints that prevent big mistakes. I’m big on doing a quick layout and sanity check before you dig, because moving one string line is a lot easier than moving ten set posts.
Materials that fit your budget
Cedar, pressure-treated lumber, fasteners, concrete, gravel, stain, sealers. I’ll help you understand what matters for longevity so you can spend where it counts and save where it doesn’t.
Privacy as design
Backyard privacy is about sightlines, spacing, and the feel of your space. Sometimes the right solution is a full fence. Sometimes it’s a screen panel, strategic planting, or changing the angle of coverage so the yard stays open while the view in gets blocked.
A quick personal note
When I’m not digging post holes or testing a new stain, you’ll usually find me grilling in my own fully fenced backyard with my rescue dog, Barnaby. He’s an excellent supervisor and completely uninterested in whether my corners are square, as long as the gate stays shut.
Fence Bound is built from that same home-yard perspective. These projects are not abstract. They’re the backdrop for family dinners, dog zoomies, quiet mornings, and the relief of feeling like you can relax outside.
Questions and feedback
If you have a question about your specific situation, or you spot something on the site that needs correcting, I genuinely want to hear from you. The easiest way to reach me is through the contact form at /contact/.
For the necessary legal fine print, you can also review the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Thanks for stopping by. If you’re staring out at an exposed yard and wondering where to begin, you’re in the right place. We’ll take it one post at a time.