Techniques on how to install wooden fence posts are geared towards building stable and durable posts. You won’t get value for your money if your fence does not last. Wooden fences can be designed as per your liking or you can easily choose from pre-manufactured panels, but only firm posts can justify their beautiful existence for the years to come. Whether you are a neophyte builder or not, pay attention to how you structure your posts and follow these tips:

1. Make your wooden fence post installation safe by contacting the city department to learn fence building codes in your locality. A federal representative must pay you a visit to pinpoint sewer, power and gas lines running into your territory. This is to make sure that you won’t do damage to the underground pipes installed for utility operations.

2. Draw a layout of your fence, avoiding the utility connections. Make some markings in every 8 foot sections – these are the proper placement areas of your fence posts. Tape measures and wooden stakes can aid you in your measuring tasks. Secure the fence perimeter by running a string along its path. Remove all obstructions for a hassle-free post installation.

3. Cut the fence posts or buy pre-cut posts, but make sure that they are 2 feet longer than your chosen fence panels. This would mean that if you are making a 4-foot tall fence, you should avail of 6-foot long posts. A lumber yard or a home and garden store will be able to do the cutting for you if you already have the materials for your posts.

4. Prepare to dig the holes once the positions have been marked. You can do this manually or use a pothole auger, which is faster and easier. Electric augers can be rented, so there’s no point insisting on doing it by hand. The holes can be easily cleared of difficult to remove stones and roots. The holes must be 2 feet deep and must be dug centrally where the markings are.

5. When you have achieved the right depth in your hole, add some gravel at the bottom. A few inches of this is helpful for draining the water and for making it more stable. Insert the post into the hole and support it by bracing it with nails or pieces of lumber. Insert some concrete at the sides of the hole to hold the post firmly even before pouring the mixed cement.

6. Follow the directions on the packet when mixing the cement or concrete mixture. Stick to the recommended amount of water for a firm base. Pour the mixed concrete into the hole until the base of the post is mounted up. Use a trowel to smooth or level up the mound around the post. Do not leave it hollow because water can penetrate into it easily.

7. Make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the posts are cemented properly at the base – before they go rock hard, which is normally after 24 hours. Do not forget to remove the temporary braces installed earlier.

Note that if you are not too serious in following all the guidelines on how to install wooden fence posts, you can suffer from its instability and short life span. They won’t look good if you are not particular with alignments and in leveling them. It is a noble idea to do it yourself, but if you are not really up to it, better let the skilled workers do the job.