On Mar 23, 8:46 am, "DominicSantini"
wrote:
Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).
One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
posts.

What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
interested in doing it right the first time.

Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
the way to proceed either.

Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
(I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
installation.

Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?

Depends on where you live and local requirements. Where I live,
fences are not buried that deep. Two feet deep makes a very sturdy
post in our local soils and climate.

There are three type of post on fence designs. They are corner posts,
bracing posts, and line posts. Concrete is often used for corner and
bracing posts. It is not usually necessary for line posts. It is
certainly not necessary it the post are buried 6 to 10 feet deep. I
have never heard of a fence post buried so deep but it may be
necessary if you are in earthquake or hurricane prone areas.

I think you should at least price the materials yourself before you
make a decision. A fencing contractor may insist on selling you the
material but at least you will be in a position to bargain.

DominicSantini wrote:
Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
posts.

What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
interested in doing it right the first time.

Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
the way to proceed either.

Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
(I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
installation.

Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?

Well best practice depends on the area. In Florida sand, you would want
it really deep. The general rule is that 1/3 of the post should be below
ground. For a 6 foot fence you need a 9 foot post with three feet in the
ground. Local ground conditions and considerations like having kids that
are going to climb it, may require more.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
posts.

What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
interested in doing it right the first time.

Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
the way to proceed either.

Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
(I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
installation.

Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?

DominicSantini wrote:
Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

No surprise there.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

I'd make a big deal that they're full of ****. There could be no
possible reason to dig so deep. In fact, I don't know how you'd even
dig a small hole that deep without core-drilling equipment used for
taking soil samples, and believe me, they're not doing that.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Okay, now it's clear that it's _your_ recollection that is faulty.
You didn't say what type of fence it is, but _nobody_ sinks a fence
post deeper than 3' or 4'. Most fence posts are sunk 2' - 3'
depending on conditions.

Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
posts.

Very possibly not. What type of fence, how high, what type of posts,
what are your soil conditions?

What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
interested in doing it right the first time.

Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
the way to proceed either.

Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
(I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
installation.

You'd have to ask the local contractors. I do know that around here a
lot of people wouldn't be interested. They'd look at it as you would
be complicating their lives (it's possible you could order all of the
parts you need with no omissions, but very possible you couldn't and
they'd still have to make runs for material). You might not be able
to get the materials for that much cheaper as you'd be dealing with
shipping on a small load and the fence company deals wholesale on
large loads. No way to be sure without asking.

Let your fingers do the walking.

R

"RicodJour" wrote in message
ps.com...


One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

I'd make a big deal that they're full of ****. There could be no
possible reason to dig so deep. In fact, I don't know how you'd even
dig a small hole that deep without core-drilling equipment used for
taking soil samples, and believe me, they're not doing that.


Sounds like they're installing a fence in a bayou. :-)

You sure he didn't mean a 10 foot post? So for a say 8 foot high
fence for privacy, the post will be in the ground about 2+ feet.


"DominicSantini" wrote in message
. ..

Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
posts.

What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
interested in doing it right the first time.

Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
the way to proceed either.

Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
(I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
installation.

Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
...
"RicodJour" wrote in message
ps.com...


One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

I'd make a big deal that they're full of ****. There could be no
possible reason to dig so deep. In fact, I don't know how you'd even
dig a small hole that deep without core-drilling equipment used for
taking soil samples, and believe me, they're not doing that.


Sounds like they're installing a fence in a bayou. :-)

Yeah, maybe it's one of them new "floating fences".

On Mar 23, 10:16 am, "RicodJour" wrote:
DominicSantini wrote:
Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

No surprise there.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

I'd make a big deal that they're full of ****. There could be no
possible reason to dig so deep. In fact, I don't know how you'd even
dig a small hole that deep without core-drilling equipment used for
taking soil samples, and believe me, they're not doing that.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Okay, now it's clear that it's _your_ recollection that is faulty.
You didn't say what type of fence it is, but _nobody_ sinks a fence
post deeper than 3' or 4'. Most fence posts are sunk 2' - 3'
depending on conditions.

In my experience you are correct about the depth of fence posts. I am
also in agreement with the general tone of your post. There is a small
possiblity, however, that the OP lives in a place has very unstable
sandy soil or hurricane prone area. Possible but unlikely
considering that OP has not returned to his post.

I will point out, however, that it is not necessary to dig holes at
all to place the posts. Without digging one bit, it is possible to
use a hydraulic post pounder or pile driver. Road crews use them to
place posts in the ground for guard rails. Very often poles are set
with no hole or with minimal holes with the use of this heavy
equipment. A pounded post is supposed to be much, much, stronger than
an equivalent post that is only backfilled whether with dirt or
concrete.

The reason I know this is because I am actually looking into a post
pounder for my fence project. It will fit on my Bobcat skidsteer and
looks to be quite a labor saver. It will pound any kind of post from
steel to wood. In my case I plan to auger undersized holes and then
pound them. My shoulder injury prevents me form pounding posts by
hand.

It works best in soft ground obviously and you tend to shatter a few
posts when doing it. Some crews do it in any ground. It is done,
however, and saves a lot of time and work from what I can tell.

Not many people have one except road crews and fence contractors but
they are available in my area for rent and for sale. Some guys say
they will never use one since it is a bit dangerous pounding on wooden
posts. When one splinters yu don't want to be nearby.

"Michael Bulatovich" wrote in message
...
This group should be renamed

alt.ask.technical.questions.while.leaving.out.tons .of.essential.information



"DominicSantini" wrote in message
. ..

Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
posts.

What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
interested in doing it right the first time.

Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
the way to proceed either.

Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
(I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
installation.

Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?


my bad, thanks to all those who have replied so far.

the property is in Ocean County, NJ.

i'm not sure how to classify the soil. it supports a
lawn of kentucky blue grass.

the fence plan is for nothing fancy (just plain old
cedar or vinyl panels). in other words, no wrought iron
fencing (incompatible w/the privacy barrier function).

to the other poster, no, the one contractor went out
of his way to explain how he puts his posts 10' under
grade. so i think he'd be using a 16' piece of wood.
thinking it over, i agree that it's more marketing hype
than substance.

the other contractor (i don't have the quote in front
of me at the moment), but i believe he said 3' under
grade (depth of the post).

i just want to be better prepared to separate the
BS contractors from the ones with a legitimate plan
that will conform to solid engineering practices.

My neighbor originally build a cedar fence. Ended up replacing it about
seven years later as it started falling over. When to vinyl. The original
fence was not cemented in, the vinyl is and has moved very little. Vinyl
looks good around a pool, and he extended his into the ground using 4x4 ties
to keep his dog from getting out.

My fence is only a chain link, bit all the posts are cemented in. Been hit
by a back hoe and a tree-trimming truck. The problem areas are the gates,
they will all sag eventually (posts bend, but the concrete is still holding
tight.)

Don't be too fast to reject the company that wants to embed the posts 10 ft.
into the ground. A solid fence takes a lot of load from wind, and the better
the anchorage, the better it will survive. (It all comes down to cost of
course.) Consider this, if you do a cheap job, you can count on replacing it
in a decade like my neighbor did.

One disadvantage that vinyl has over wood is that it will stain from iron in
the water when lawn-sprinklering. Of-course that can be washed off with Bar
Keepers Friend, but on thing more to consider (esp. if you go with white
like my neighbor.)

What I would do is walk around the neighborhood and talk to folks who have
had a fence up for many years. Ask if the posts were cemented in, and how
deep they were set. Could be an excellent source of common sense for your
particular area.

Dennis

"DominicSantini" wrote in message
. ..

Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
posts.

What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
interested in doing it right the first time.

Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
the way to proceed either.

Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
(I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
installation.

Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?

DominicSantini wrote:
"Michael Bulatovich" wrote in message
...
This group should be renamed

alt.ask.technical.questions.while.leaving.out.tons .of.essential.information



"DominicSantini" wrote in message
. ..

Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
posts.

What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
interested in doing it right the first time.

Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
the way to proceed either.

Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
(I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
installation.

Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?


my bad, thanks to all those who have replied so far.

the property is in Ocean County, NJ.

i'm not sure how to classify the soil. it supports a
lawn of kentucky blue grass.

the fence plan is for nothing fancy (just plain old
cedar or vinyl panels). in other words, no wrought iron
fencing (incompatible w/the privacy barrier function).

to the other poster, no, the one contractor went out
of his way to explain how he puts his posts 10' under
grade. so i think he'd be using a 16' piece of wood.
thinking it over, i agree that it's more marketing hype
than substance.

the other contractor (i don't have the quote in front
of me at the moment), but i believe he said 3' under
grade (depth of the post).

i just want to be better prepared to separate the
BS contractors from the ones with a legitimate plan
that will conform to solid engineering practices.

The 10' deep contractor - either you misunderstood the whole time he
was going out of his way to explain it to you, or he thought you were
_really_ stupid. The difference in strength/stability between a post
sunk 3' in the ground and one sunk 10' is on the order of 2%. There's
no benefit and a **** load more work.

Tell you what. Ask to visit one of his job sites so you can see them
dig a 10' deep fence post hole. Post pictures.*

R

* I won't be holding my breath.

"RicodJour" wrote

Tell you what. Ask to visit one of his job sites so you can see them
dig a 10' deep fence post hole. Post pictures.*

R

* I won't be holding my breath.


Yes, but if you SAY you're going to make the holes ten feet deep, can't you
give a MUCH higher bid? After all, you'd have to bring in a caisson
drilling rig to make a straight hole that deep, wouldn't you?

At least, that's what the Gypsies told me when they bid MY fence job.

Steve ;-)

On 23 Mar 2007 17:59:10 -0700, "RicodJour"
wrote:


DominicSantini wrote:
"Michael Bulatovich" wrote in message
Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?


my bad, thanks to all those who have replied so far.

the property is in Ocean County, NJ.

i'm not sure how to classify the soil. it supports a
lawn of kentucky blue grass.

the fence plan is for nothing fancy (just plain old
cedar or vinyl panels). in other words, no wrought iron
fencing (incompatible w/the privacy barrier function).

to the other poster, no, the one contractor went out
of his way to explain how he puts his posts 10' under
grade. so i think he'd be using a 16' piece of wood.
thinking it over, i agree that it's more marketing hype
than substance.

the other contractor (i don't have the quote in front
of me at the moment), but i believe he said 3' under
grade (depth of the post).

i just want to be better prepared to separate the
BS contractors from the ones with a legitimate plan
that will conform to solid engineering practices.

The 10' deep contractor - either you misunderstood the whole time he
was going out of his way to explain it to you, or he thought you were
_really_ stupid. The difference in strength/stability between a post
sunk 3' in the ground and one sunk 10' is on the order of 2%. There's
no benefit and a **** load more work.

Tell you what. Ask to visit one of his job sites so you can see them
dig a 10' deep fence post hole. Post pictures.*

I don't know much about fences, but I'd like to see the 16 foot fence
posts. Sound expensive.

Actually, no fence involved, but I know someone who bought a used
telephone pole, even longer than 16 feet. I think he only paid 5
dollars. But it was really expensive to erect it. Afte that, he
switched to 2" metal pipe.

R

* I won't be holding my breath.

On Fri, 23 Mar 2007 22:43:16 GMT, "Dennis" wrote:

My neighbor originally build a cedar fence. Ended up replacing it about
seven years later as it started falling over.

My next door neighbor has a cedar fence that didn't start falling over
until it was about 20 to 22 years old.

There is nothing wrong with cedar, and is pretty impervious to insects
iiuc.

"mm" wrote in message
...
| On 23 Mar 2007 17:59:10 -0700, "RicodJour"
| wrote:
|
|
| DominicSantini wrote:
| "Michael Bulatovich" wrote in message
| Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
| a fence project ?
|
|
| my bad, thanks to all those who have replied so far.
|
| the property is in Ocean County, NJ.
|
| i'm not sure how to classify the soil. it supports a
| lawn of kentucky blue grass.
|
| the fence plan is for nothing fancy (just plain old
| cedar or vinyl panels). in other words, no wrought iron
| fencing (incompatible w/the privacy barrier function).
|
| to the other poster, no, the one contractor went out
| of his way to explain how he puts his posts 10' under
| grade. so i think he'd be using a 16' piece of wood.
| thinking it over, i agree that it's more marketing hype
| than substance.
|
| the other contractor (i don't have the quote in front
| of me at the moment), but i believe he said 3' under
| grade (depth of the post).
|
| i just want to be better prepared to separate the
| BS contractors from the ones with a legitimate plan
| that will conform to solid engineering practices.
|
| The 10' deep contractor - either you misunderstood the whole time he
| was going out of his way to explain it to you, or he thought you were
| _really_ stupid. The difference in strength/stability between a post
| sunk 3' in the ground and one sunk 10' is on the order of 2%.
There's
| no benefit and a **** load more work.
|
| Tell you what. Ask to visit one of his job sites so you can see them
| dig a 10' deep fence post hole. Post pictures.*



|
| I don't know much about fences, but I'd like to see the 16 foot fence
| posts. Sound expensive.


they are called " telephone poles"
put your name on the list at your local town hall.
they will give them to you for free as they come available.



|
||
| Retardo
|
| * I won't be holding my breath.

I wish you would
for about 20 minutes.
|

"mm" wrote in message
...
| On Fri, 23 Mar 2007 22:43:16 GMT, "Dennis" wrote:
|
| My neighbor originally build a cedar fence. Ended up replacing it
about
| seven years later as it started falling over.
|
| My next door neighbor has a cedar fence that didn't start falling over
| until it was about 20 to 22 years old.
|
| There is nothing wrong with cedar, and is pretty impervious to insects
| iiuc.
|

with the price of cedar these days.
I would use mahogany

"mm" wrote in message
...
Actually, no fence involved, but I know someone who bought a used
telephone pole, even longer than 16 feet. I think he only paid 5
dollars. But it was really expensive to erect it. Afte that, he
switched to 2" metal pipe.


At five bucks a piece, you could build a really cheap stockade.

Michael Bulatovich wrote:
"mm" wrote in message

Actually, no fence involved, but I know someone who bought a used
telephone pole, even longer than 16 feet. I think he only paid 5
dollars. But it was really expensive to erect it. Afte that, he
switched to 2" metal pipe.


At five bucks a piece, you could build a really cheap stockade.

You Canadians! Always thinking of life on the frontier.

BTW, when's my next shipment of beaver pelt coming in?

R

"RicodJour" wrote in message
ups.com...
Michael Bulatovich wrote:
"mm" wrote in message

Actually, no fence involved, but I know someone who bought a used
telephone pole, even longer than 16 feet. I think he only paid 5
dollars. But it was really expensive to erect it. Afte that, he
switched to 2" metal pipe.


At five bucks a piece, you could build a really cheap stockade.

You Canadians! Always thinking of life on the frontier.

BTW, when's my next shipment of beaver pelt coming in?

Bob: Hark! A Yankee calls from beyond the stockade!
Doug: Whady say?
Bob: Dunno. The STC rating of these telephone poles is awesome, eh?

"RicodJour" wrote in message
ups.com...
Michael Bulatovich wrote:
"mm" wrote in message

Actually, no fence involved, but I know someone who bought a used
telephone pole, even longer than 16 feet. I think he only paid 5
dollars. But it was really expensive to erect it. Afte that, he
switched to 2" metal pipe.


At five bucks a piece, you could build a really cheap stockade.

You Canadians! Always thinking of life on the frontier.

BTW, when's my next shipment of beaver pelt coming in?


The next time you go to Hooters, that's when.

On Mar 23, 10:21 pm, mm wrote:
On 23 Mar 2007 17:59:10 -0700, "RicodJour"
wrote:







DominicSantini wrote:
"Michael Bulatovich" wrote in message
Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?

my bad, thanks to all those who have replied so far.

the property is in Ocean County, NJ.

i'm not sure how to classify the soil. it supports a
lawn of kentucky blue grass.

the fence plan is for nothing fancy (just plain old
cedar or vinyl panels). in other words, no wrought iron
fencing (incompatible w/the privacy barrier function).

to the other poster, no, the one contractor went out
of his way to explain how he puts his posts 10' under
grade. so i think he'd be using a 16' piece of wood.
thinking it over, i agree that it's more marketing hype
than substance.

the other contractor (i don't have the quote in front
of me at the moment), but i believe he said 3' under
grade (depth of the post).

i just want to be better prepared to separate the
BS contractors from the ones with a legitimate plan
that will conform to solid engineering practices.

The 10' deep contractor - either you misunderstood the whole time he
was going out of his way to explain it to you, or he thought you were
_really_ stupid. The difference in strength/stability between a post
sunk 3' in the ground and one sunk 10' is on the order of 2%. There's
no benefit and a **** load more work.

Tell you what. Ask to visit one of his job sites so you can see them
dig a 10' deep fence post hole. Post pictures.*

I don't know much about fences, but I'd like to see the 16 foot fence
posts. Sound expensive.


16 ft 4x4's are available at any lumber yard.

Lawrence wrote:
On Mar 23, 10:21 pm, mm wrote:
On 23 Mar 2007 17:59:10 -0700, "RicodJour" wrote:

Tell you what. Ask to visit one of his job sites so you can see them
dig a 10' deep fence post hole. Post pictures.*

I don't know much about fences, but I'd like to see the 16 foot fence
posts. Sound expensive.

16 ft 4x4's are available at any lumber yard.

Have you personally ever heard of anyone burying a 4x4 fence post 10'
deep? Me neither. How about this, as a little experiment, why not
call up the largest, most experienced fence installer in your area and
ask them if they've ever buried a fence post 10' deep. When the
laughing dies down, post back and let us know what they said.

R

Not any in the kansas city area. Maybe a 12'

--
Steve Barker

YOU should be the one
controlling YOUR car.
Check out:
www.lightsout.org




"Lawrence" wrote in message
ups.com...


16 ft 4x4's are available at any lumber yard.

"Lawrence" wrote in message
ups.com...
16 ft 4x4's are available at any lumber yard.

It's not the post availability that's ridiculous, or expensive. It's the
holes.
--


MichaelB
www.michaelbulatovich.ca

"Michael Bulatovich" wrote


It's not the post availability that's ridiculous, or expensive. It's the
holes.
--


MichaelB
www.michaelbulatovich.ca



I would imagine that it would take some special drilling rig to make a true
vertical hole ten feet deep. Last post hole digger I saw was less than six
feet, and the longest spoon shovel I have seen is about eight. (a spoon
shovel is a special shovel designed to reach and retrieve the dirt that
falls to the bottom of a drilled hole) Such drill rigs are expensive to
rent, and take up a lot of space. Not something you can just get in and out
of your back yard unless it's new construction and there's nothing there
yet.

Steve

On Mar 26, 8:33 am, "Michael Bulatovich" wrote:
"Lawrence" wrote in message

ups.com...

16 ft 4x4's are available at any lumber yard.

It's not the post availability that's ridiculous, or expensive. It's the
holes.

The 16' post availability is questionable but possible, digging ten
foot deep holes is extremely difficult but possible, but the real
absurdity is _why_ dig such deep holes? There is _no_ structural or
stability benefits, and there would be _greatly_ increased cost. Like
the fence would cost at least twice what anyone else was charging.

Like I said before, the OP is either mistaking what the contractor
said - mistaking 10' _long_ posts for posts sunk 10' _deep_, - or the
contractor is taking him for a complete fool who won't be around to
watch the holes being dug.

R

"RicodJour" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 26, 8:33 am, "Michael Bulatovich" wrote:
"Lawrence" wrote in message

ups.com...

16 ft 4x4's are available at any lumber yard.

It's not the post availability that's ridiculous, or expensive. It's the
holes.

The 16' post availability is questionable but possible, digging ten
foot deep holes is extremely difficult but possible, but the real
absurdity is _why_ dig such deep holes? There is _no_ structural or
stability benefits, and there would be _greatly_ increased cost.

I confess to not having check the local yard of 16-footers, but the hole
thing is just silly.

It's possible that what the contractor was talking about wasn't actually
installing the posts 10 ft. into the ground, rather using longer posts to
make a level fence.

Fence contractors can install a fence two ways, the first uses the same
depth posts and the top of the fence follows the terrian.

The second way requires that the contractor digs a trench in the low places
and uses longer posts in the high places to make the top of the fence level
across the yard. It's possible that he may be required to actually use 10
ft. posts in certain places to heel the top level. While this cost more, it
makes for a nicer looking fence.

In both cases (or thereabouts), the posts will actually be in the ground
about three ft. or so, but longer posts and more fencing is required for the
second method.

"DominicSantini" wrote in message
. ..

Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.