Tuesday, August 26, 2008

How to Build a Fence

Alex and I are building a fence along the back section of our yard. After several days of construction, we've formulated a set of instructions for future fence-builders:

1. Wait for your neighbor to build a fence. Let him work out the kinks and buy all the special fence-building tools.

2. Wait until said neighbor has finished building a significant portion of the fence to be sure you like his work and then buy him a case of cheap beer in exchange for borrowing his tools and know-how.

3. Dig a hole.

4. Put a fence post in the hole and pour in the cement.

5. Let the cement dry over-night. Calculate the distance between this first post and the next based on the size of your pre-constructed fence panels. Dig another hole and cement another post.

6. Let the cement dry over-night. Re-calculate the distance between the second and third posts after you realize you have to actually be able to attach the pre-constructed fence panel to the posts. Dig another hole and cement another post.

7. Let the cement dry over-night. Hang a fence panel. Re-calculate the distance between the third and fourth posts after you realize that 4x4 boards are actually only 3.5 inches thick. Dig another hole and cement another post.

8. Cement in the last post.

So, hope that helps anyone who's thinking of building a fence!

1 comment:

bug girl said...

Thanks, I'll show this to my brother. He is getting ready to put in a fence. Unfortunately the reason for the fence is the neighbor who will never put in a fence, so #1 is out. Which means #2 is out.