String Line Fence Post

Hammer your stakes in clear of your post holes so that the stakes are not disturbed during digging.

String line fence post.

Stretch mason string between the centers of all the batter boards to delineate the perimeter of the fence. How do you know you are parallel with the property line is the fence actually on the property line. Well this is where you have to sort of take a guess or at least i did. Drop a post into each hole and line its face up with the string while you plumb it.

The outside edge of the stake should just touch the line. The longer the run the tighter the string needs to be to stay straight. Use a string line level or bench level to make sure the line is level then check to see that. At this point you pull the string to where you are placing the opposite end post.

I like to use fast setting concrete for these posts. In other words the string will run where the fabric or wood pickets will be located. To ensure the posts are even in height run a tight string line between corner posts and end posts. This can easily throw your fence line out of alignment.

Considering this your corner posts should be longer and if possible larger than your line posts. Pulling a string it s really called mason s line tight between two points is the best way to build a fence straight and true. Measure the positions of the posts with a tape measure and drive a stake at each point. Mark the positions of the line posts and dig a hole for each one directly under the string.

Corner posts should be buried deeper to the ground at least 2 3 of the entire length of the post compared to your line posts at least 2 feet. The following formula will help you compute the number of fence posts you need.