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Building a fence for father-in-law - question re: time to build.

2078 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  DyerWolf
A few years ago I fenced in my backyard by myself (working on weekends) - so I know I can do the project - and have the tools.:thumbsup:

My question is about how long it should take with two people doing the work.* I plan to hire a temp from a local labor staffing agency.

It's going to be about 107 feet long, & I plan to use 4x4 pressure treated posts set in concrete. The stiles will also be pressure treated & finished in the "good neighbor" format (alternating on faces either side of the fence rails).

Any idea how many days / hours I should tell the staffing agency I need an assistant for?



*(I can't rely upon my previous experience, as I did it by myself and lazed the job - only doing it piecemeal whenever I had time...)
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You really need to be more detailed in this project. Are you installing premade sections of fencing or are you making the sections yourself? What will the helper do? Dig holes? Help install the sections?
You can't project a time frame until you know what the job entails and who's doing what, when?
This, "I'm putting up a fence, how long will it take" post is meaningless without the details of the job.
Ron
A motor driven post hole digger will make short work of digging holes, but some are two man tools.
Going under assumptions:


Pre-Built 6x8 sections
  • 14 sections needed
  • 15 holes 4' feet deep
  • Using a 2-Man hole digger
  • No trees!
  • Sandy soil
  • The learning curve factor for your helper
Day 1: Dig holes, set sonu tubes and backfill tubes
Day 2: Set posts, and pour crete, brace all the posts
Day 3: Install your fence.

Based on 8hr days

Day 2 probably won't take all of 8hrs, and that represents your buffer for hours in.

If the soil is large aggregate and you have trees....add a day.
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Ron6519 said:
You really need to be more detailed in this project...
You're right; I should have been more specific.:oops:

Before I start the description of work - let me say I'm not married to this plan and am very open to suggestions!

The job is in Kentucky which has a clay loam soil composition. I planned to simply dig the holes with a hand-held post-hole-digger (the two armed pincher type) - based upon my experience with my own yard, digging the holes is pretty fast that way.

I hadn't planned on installing pre-built sections. I planned to buy pressure treated 4x4 posts & 2x4s for the frame & fill between with Home Depot pressure treated fencing (@ 1"x6"x6') alternating every other (stile? slat?) on either face of the fence. These would be screwed in with 2" deck screws.

The helper would assist in digging holes, mixing & pouring concrete & placing the wood, but not cutting. We'd be working side by side & doing the same jobs where two hands were needed or simultaneously where possible. I've got a pair of Makita cordless drills & a cordless impact driver we can use for assembly.

@ CrossWorks: I don't even know what 'sonu tubes' are - so I guess I'll have to google them to see if I want to include them... (Thanks, also, for the answer!:thumbsup:)

Thanks again for the responses thus far: looking forward to more info!

Scott
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No problem. I guess the correct term for the tubes would be
"Quick-Tubes" made by Quickcrete Co.

But the advantage to do it this way is.... much less concrete to use. In fact, with the post going in the tube, I'd say 1 maybe 1-1/2 bags tops. Oppose to possibly 3 or 4 bags when trying to fill the entire hole you just dug. Plus the advantage of havings tubes in the hole is an easy way to get them all lined up within a 1/4 to 1/2" at the onset, and then when you set your post in the tube, they'll all pretty much land on center and not off to one side or the other. Lol...you'll look like a professional when your done!! :thumbsup:

As for your digging...clay!! Yikes I'm tell you, an auger would get the holes dug at a rate of 10 minutes each. Rather then 2-3hrs and a sore back and arms. Just my 2 cents.

Anyway...good luck :wink:
I understand the 4x4 posts but don't quite follow the 2x4 's. Where do they come in?
The fence sections need at least a 3" screw to connect the fence sections to the posts.
Ron
...don't quite follow the 2x4 's. Where do they come in?
...
I figured to butt the 2x4s between the posts to use as the rails to which the pickets attach.

What would you use?


@ CW - thanks again!
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