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Important: The center to center measurement
between any two posts should never exceed the
center to center measurement of the fence style
you purchase or your panels will not fit.
LAYOUT CUSTOMIZING:
Most projects will not have fence lines that are
exactly 6’ or 8’ increments and will not come out
perfectly when measuring. You will have to
make one of a few choices.
Option 1 is to have a short section at the end of
the line (Figure 1.2).
Option 2 is to make each section equal or
shorten several of the sections on the fence so
that you don’t have a short section at the end
(Figure 1.3).
For years I chose option 2 and cut down each
section to make every section equal but I found
that most people don’t notice the section that is
short and it saves a lot of time and energy to
choose Option 1.
5. DIGGING THE HOLES & INSTALLING
THE POSTS:
Once you have marked the fence post locations,
you are ready to dig the holes.
Note: Different soil conditions and climates
require different footing requirements. Seek
guidance from local professionals and building
codes to determine the proper depth and width
of footing. In many areas, a 10” wide hole for a
5” post with a depth of 36-42” is standard and
adequate but different regions and local codes
vary. In frost regions longer posts are required to
keep your fence firm in the ground. Please
contact us if you are unsure whether your
project requires a different length of post than
the standard length and we can help you with
your individual needs. In some regions, a layer
of gravel at the bottom of the post holes is
added for extra drainage.
Dig holes using a post-hole digger or an auger.
See Figure 1.4. Make sure you have called and
located all utility lines and that you adjust your
fence
accordingly to any conflicts.
If your project is more than a few holes, you
could contact your local small equipment tool
rental center to rent a one or two man auger.
These generally range from $60 – 95 a day to
rent. If using a one or two man auger, make sure
you familiarize yourself with the operator’s
manual to insure your safety.
Safety Tip: When open holes exist, safety
standards should be applied to properly protect
the area and notify bystanders of the potential
trip and fall hazards that exist with open holes in
the ground. Clearly mark the area as a
construction zone so others are notified of the
dangers that exist.
FIGURE 1.2
FIGURE 1.3
