How to install a fence in a straight line

When the fence is stair stepped, you will have larger gaps underneath each panel. For that, we can custom cut pickets to fill in the low spots. The top of the step will be shorter as it is cut down to match the slope. We also have other options if your fence style is different. Building a Racked Fence on a Slope Another option is to build a racked fence.

As you can see… With a racked fence, each picket is installed slightly lower than the next to create a smooth flow with the yard slope. We also have the option of keeping the top straight and horizontal in all locations. With the bottom racked for the slope. In Summary When planning to build a privacy fence on a sloped yard, there are lots of factors to consider. And we offer multiple options in terms of design and cost. Contact one of our Empire consultants… So we can help you with cost estimates of various options that would work best in your yard.

Jan 6, 2. KennyG Elite Member. Sounds like you can see one post from the other. As long as you have someone to help you, have them locate a stake in the center by sighting down the post line.

Then keep adding center stakes between the others until you have a short enough distance to stretch a line. You can do this by yourself by trial and error, but you may to a lot of walking to get the first center stake set perfectly. Jan 6, 3. Run a string from one corner to the other. Jan 6, 4. DT86 Elite Member. For hi tensile wire I just stretch the bottom wire after setting the end braces, then drive the posts against the wire. For all other types of fence I use temporary fence wire aka poly wire or masons twine, stretched as tight as possible by hand.

I have seen others use plastic square baler twine. Sometimes on a long run you have to put a post or two in the middle, just by eye balling it, to help keep the line where it needs to be. You can also "stake" the twine where it needs to be, then drive the posts or drill the holes tight against the twine.

Jan 6, 5. Besides suggestions above have also used good rifle scope mounted on wood. Jan 6, 6. Jan 6, 7. The rifle scope is a great idea and would work perfectly unless you are putting the fence posts up by yourself. Where I live in Pennsylvania, posts should be no less than 36 inches deep. This is to protect the post and structure from everything from frost to bearing-up in bad weather like snow storms and high winds.

I pour a few inches of pea gravel at the base of the hole to give ground water a place to move, then pour a concrete footing around the base of the post. I usually use a fast-setting mix for end posts. Before digging for the rest of the posts, I map out their locations. Store-bought fence panels are typically 8-feet long.

However, the yard may not be equally divisible by 8. When you build a fence —in my view, anyway—avoid a stubby little fence sections near a corner or gate.

One trick is to start laying out the post locations in the center of the run. That way the end panels on each side of the yard should be suitably large to look good and be the same size as each other. A third approach is to get artistic. Alternatively, you may want to center an entire panel in the middle of the run. There are lots of approaches, the main idea is that you want the end panels to be approximately the same size as each other.

Once the concrete is cured, I remove the stretchers, fill the hole and start installing the fence boards. Screws work better than nails for stretchers. Before fastening stretchers, I give them some solid slams into soft ground to help them stay still. Fence companies are notorious for pouring dry concrete in the hole then assuming ground water will eventually soak it and cause it to cure.

While this may be true, it still takes a long time. And in the meantime, wind storms, super cells, even large dogs…whatever…can wreak havoc on under-supported fence posts. Pro, weekend DIYer, or somewhere in between, you probably find your miter saw is the center of what you do.

It is for me most…. A refreshingly honest take on life, litter, family and home improvement: Watch this sit-down with Mike Holmes Jr. How do know that you…. When I build a fence or design a landscape project, I love creating with wood. For this fence,…. And I hope you do too.

For me, a fence is more than a simple…. In my world, I have two versions of how to build a fence: 1 Laser-straight and awesome-looking.