(nervously looks back at how I set the posts of my first vinyl fence installation...) Edit: To clarify, this was in Tampa Bay, a freebie for a relative, but I used 8" tubes, 36" deep, with 2 - 60# bags per post. It was only 4 posts within the back yard (not visible to the public), but now, I'd do the no-dig 2.375" posts 4' deep. I keep learning more and more with each video. Thank you, from a 60 year old who had only 12 months of carpentry experience 37 years ago!
Love this. We attach multiple video of yours in EVERY single estimate (including our own) to educate customers on no-dig installation etc. Keep em coming!
Thanks for the videos. I have been using some of your videos to demonstrate to customers the how’s and why’s of using the no dig system and it has been super helpful. Love the cornerstone hardware we bought through you also.
Fantastic video, Mark & SWI crew! It's great that these tips can be applied to materials beyond vinyl. Thanks to SWI for consistently delivering top-notch content. Looking forward to the next!
perhaps produce a check sheet that can be printed off and filled in by the contractors to include in the contract between them and the client of what exactly they are going to do, it would show they couldnt BS the client and to what standard its to be done by?
@@SWiFence a sort of questionnaire with materials being used, style, post fixings etc if you put the form on your website with ads it might increase revenue?
I hired a Florida fence company with photos of beautiful work. The man assured me he owned the company and would be installing. He sent a subcontractor who had never installed a privacy fence before. The man was confident but made mistakes even i could see; someone had to come help him space the pickets.. I have one gate now that i have to fix because once opened, it will not close. I don't trust the company enough to call and ask for help. I'm sure they think they're awesome.
Any videos on what to do when there is. 3-6” gap from a post and a house? My footings stick out a bit from the house, but is not thick enough to put in your posts with bolts
Just finished my vinyl have looked at it numerous times. Its beautiful After watching this video, I can confirm that I would not hire me to ever do anyone's fence ever
My personal advice for any homeowner emboldened to install their own 6'x8' Despot fence, is to BEFORE digging/setting posts, to actually OPEN THE FENCE PANELS BOX and measure the width of ALL the pickets as they're slid into each other. This will prove to you the MAXIMUM width you can have between each post (less 5", of course). Because you cannot stretch the rails. I say this because the Orange Depot's site clearly stated 'Installed width' to be 96.0" for the panel box. Yeah, well, turns out it was adding 5" for the post. Not realizing this, I first set my posts 101" on center, only to realize the rails were too short. SURPRISE! So yeah, the pickets totaled 91", not 96" like I had 'assumed'... Grrrrr.... So, no matter what width the Box Store website claims, YOU need to measure the width before setting posts. Fortunately, I had used a secret (patented) no-dig method and was able to pull them up without too much trouble. I videoed that method, and if I ever get around to it, I'll post it for review by the experts of fence installation: none other than Mark, Dan & Alan.
I had an issue with a center post on one side of my house. The corner post was solid, the side post is screwed into the concrete block of the house. The center post wouldn't stay upright in high winds. And during one hurricane it actually broke the post. So the last time I replaced it I used 2 bags in the ground and assembled the fence. Then I filled the post with concrete. It survived the last two hurricanes so far. The only issue was the thinner concrete oozed out of the rail gaps until it set up. So I would spray it off occasionally with the hose until it stopped oozing out. Basically I built a vinyl covered concrete post.
Different regions are going to have different availabilities. I'd skip the big-box store and talk to a fence company to buy supplies from. Keep these things in mind: th-cam.com/video/o72mFcwKIXY/w-d-xo.html
Do you recommend 6” of gravel in the bottom of the hole for drainage? I don’t understand why some people are recommending this for vinyl fence post since it’s supposed to drain water and prevent rot from a wood post? Seems like it will raise the concrete to above the frost line and let water pool in the 6” of gravel below the concrete footing. I’m installing a 6ft tall vinyl privacy fence in the South Dakota. Wind gets pretty strong here occasionally. Holes are going to be 40” deep (same as the contractors in my area) in soil that is basically pure clay. I’m going to use the stab method. Should I do 40” holes with just concrete or should I put 6” of gravel in the bottom and have 34” of concrete on top? My posts allow for 33” to be below ground before the first rail.
My personal opinion is the gravel is pointless, even for wood posts. It just silts in over time anyway--and I don't know what we're trying to protect the vinyl from. I'd use concrete all the way down. You need to make dang good and sure you're getting it below frost line. 👍🏻
No mention of top rail locks. Many contractors will run a short 5/16ths self tapping screw inside the post in the top rail and call that good. Problem is it cracks and then the panels blow out. I found some 3D printed rail locks online that fit inside the post and screw to each rail coming into the post. The pressure gets distributed across the whole length inside the post instead of one little screw. My fence has survived several hurricanes so far
There was a lot of intel in this video . Sadly a lot of people will buy the cheapest junk then want to complain about it when in a year are less it looks pure elephant dung . Even if it's top shelf material and installed wrong it isn't worth a flip. Thank you for schooling us!!! You all have a wonderful weekend .
One trick I use is to take a 1" hole saw and punch a few holes in the underground section of the post. Cement oozes into those holes and locks slick vynil to cement.
@ScreamingEagleFTW No. Vinyl "posts" are posts, not sleeves. Otherwise how would you get the rails to slip into them if they're filled with wood? One exception can be for gate posts that need extra support which is done with an "H" shaped metal insert.
@ScreamingEagleFTW Whole houses snapped off in hurricanes. There's a limit how bomb proof you should make something and keep it affordable and/or eco friendly. A 20 million dollar fence to keep in the dog is not reasonable.
The fence company only used 1 60 lb bag for a 6 ft fence and they didn’t screw the c-channel nor the post caps. But they have 5 stars. Too bad I found this out after the fact.
(nervously looks back at how I set the posts of my first vinyl fence installation...)
Edit: To clarify, this was in Tampa Bay, a freebie for a relative, but I used 8" tubes, 36" deep, with 2 - 60# bags per post. It was only 4 posts within the back yard (not visible to the public), but now, I'd do the no-dig 2.375" posts 4' deep.
I keep learning more and more with each video. Thank you, from a 60 year old who had only 12 months of carpentry experience 37 years ago!
Love this. We attach multiple video of yours in EVERY single estimate (including our own) to educate customers on no-dig installation etc. Keep em coming!
Love it!
I just wanted to say that it’s good seeing Mark happy again in the videos and Wyoming for that matter.
I really like these videos. It's nice to see quality work.
Thank you very much!
This has quickly become my favorite channel to follow just a complete lack of nonsense and baloney and solid really good life experience.
Thank you!
Thanks for the videos. I have been using some of your videos to demonstrate to customers the how’s and why’s of using the no dig system and it has been super helpful. Love the cornerstone hardware we bought through you also.
Great to hear!
Bro.....I never screwed my c-channel before but absolutely will everytime now. Thank you. I've been installing fencing for over 15 years too.
You've never screwed the c channel in?
Great video Mark and team a lot of great points. Have a great dang day and great Memorial Day 💪
I love your channel! Thanks for educating homeowners and for disrupting the industry for better standards and accountability.
Hey thanks! That's a high compliment!
Fantastic video, Mark & SWI crew! It's great that these tips can be applied to materials beyond vinyl. Thanks to SWI for consistently delivering top-notch content. Looking forward to the next!
i agree with everything except your hinge selection. stainless adjustable bolt hinges are my favorite by far
No question if I had a fence to have installed in an area where you guys were I’d pick you hands down
perhaps produce a check sheet that can be printed off and filled in by the contractors to include in the contract between them and the client of what exactly they are going to do, it would show they couldnt BS the client and to what standard its to be done by?
I like that idea. 👍🏻
@@SWiFence a sort of questionnaire with materials being used, style, post fixings etc if you put the form on your website with ads it might increase revenue?
I went with a used chain link fence and lots of bushes!
I hired a Florida fence company with photos of beautiful work. The man assured me he owned the company and would be installing. He sent a subcontractor who had never installed a privacy fence before. The man was confident but made mistakes even i could see; someone had to come help him space the pickets.. I have one gate now that i have to fix because once opened, it will not close. I don't trust the company enough to call and ask for help. I'm sure they think they're awesome.
This is unfortunately a common story.
Which fence company so I can avoid?
Learn a lot from you .Thanks again!
Hey you're welcome! Thank you!
Any videos on what to do when there is. 3-6” gap from a post and a house? My footings stick out a bit from the house, but is not thick enough to put in your posts with bolts
Can you rig an angled post? Like this: www.swifence.com/commercial-chain-link-angled-fence-post-2-3-8-ss40.html?id=102879517
Just finished my vinyl have looked at it numerous times. Its beautiful
After watching this video, I can confirm that I would not hire me to ever do anyone's fence ever
😆 Hey, we all start somewhere.
My personal advice for any homeowner emboldened to install their own 6'x8' Despot fence, is to BEFORE digging/setting posts, to actually OPEN THE FENCE PANELS BOX and measure the width of ALL the pickets as they're slid into each other. This will prove to you the MAXIMUM width you can have between each post (less 5", of course). Because you cannot stretch the rails.
I say this because the Orange Depot's site clearly stated 'Installed width' to be 96.0" for the panel box. Yeah, well, turns out it was adding 5" for the post. Not realizing this, I first set my posts 101" on center, only to realize the rails were too short. SURPRISE! So yeah, the pickets totaled 91", not 96" like I had 'assumed'... Grrrrr....
So, no matter what width the Box Store website claims, YOU need to measure the width before setting posts.
Fortunately, I had used a secret (patented) no-dig method and was able to pull them up without too much trouble.
I videoed that method, and if I ever get around to it, I'll post it for review by the experts of fence installation: none other than Mark, Dan & Alan.
Any Fence Contractor recommendations that service the St. Lucie County area of Florida?
Nobody I know of at the moment, sorry.
Can you use rebar in two corners to reinforce fence posts in strong wind? Or will this compromise the vinyl?
I had an issue with a center post on one side of my house. The corner post was solid, the side post is screwed into the concrete block of the house. The center post wouldn't stay upright in high winds. And during one hurricane it actually broke the post. So the last time I replaced it I used 2 bags in the ground and assembled the fence. Then I filled the post with concrete. It survived the last two hurricanes so far. The only issue was the thinner concrete oozed out of the rail gaps until it set up. So I would spray it off occasionally with the hose until it stopped oozing out. Basically I built a vinyl covered concrete post.
Could you please suggest fence material to buy so that we can build the fence. Installation is so expensive
Different regions are going to have different availabilities. I'd skip the big-box store and talk to a fence company to buy supplies from. Keep these things in mind: th-cam.com/video/o72mFcwKIXY/w-d-xo.html
Is it possible to use a post master steel post with a vinyl post?
No, not really. You can use round steel pipe with adapters. th-cam.com/video/ONA15hJym-k/w-d-xo.html
Do you service northern Utah, Ogden area by chance? Evanston, WY is an hour away. Asking for a friend.😄
Not typically, no. 😔
Do you recommend 6” of gravel in the bottom of the hole for drainage? I don’t understand why some people are recommending this for vinyl fence post since it’s supposed to drain water and prevent rot from a wood post? Seems like it will raise the concrete to above the frost line and let water pool in the 6” of gravel below the concrete footing. I’m installing a 6ft tall vinyl privacy fence in the South Dakota. Wind gets pretty strong here occasionally. Holes are going to be 40” deep (same as the contractors in my area) in soil that is basically pure clay. I’m going to use the stab method. Should I do 40” holes with just concrete or should I put 6” of gravel in the bottom and have 34” of concrete on top? My posts allow for 33” to be below ground before the first rail.
My personal opinion is the gravel is pointless, even for wood posts. It just silts in over time anyway--and I don't know what we're trying to protect the vinyl from. I'd use concrete all the way down. You need to make dang good and sure you're getting it below frost line. 👍🏻
Do you guys know any really good fence contractors in Utah that do the no dig method?
Do you cover the Clewiston area?
Not at this time, sorry.
I know you moved back up not, but is the company still in Florida? Did I miss my opportunity to work for SWI Florida!
SWI Florida is still there. 👍🏻
No mention of top rail locks. Many contractors will run a short 5/16ths self tapping screw inside the post in the top rail and call that good. Problem is it cracks and then the panels blow out.
I found some 3D printed rail locks online that fit inside the post and screw to each rail coming into the post. The pressure gets distributed across the whole length inside the post instead of one little screw. My fence has survived several hurricanes so far
Agreed. Top rail locks are the bomb-diggity. th-cam.com/video/ONA15hJym-k/w-d-xo.html
There was a lot of intel in this video . Sadly a lot of people will buy the cheapest junk then want to complain about it when in a year are less it looks pure elephant dung . Even if it's top shelf material and installed wrong it isn't worth a flip. Thank you for schooling us!!! You all have a wonderful weekend .
thank you
You're welcome!
One trick I use is to take a 1" hole saw and punch a few holes in the underground section of the post. Cement oozes into those holes and locks slick vynil to cement.
isnt there supposed to be a wooden post in the hollow vinyl post?
@ScreamingEagleFTW No. Vinyl "posts" are posts, not sleeves. Otherwise how would you get the rails to slip into them if they're filled with wood? One exception can be for gate posts that need extra support which is done with an "H" shaped metal insert.
@@finallyfriday. i cant argue with that. I will say the white vinyl fences here in florida the posts just snapped off in the hurricane milton.
@ScreamingEagleFTW Whole houses snapped off in hurricanes. There's a limit how bomb proof you should make something and keep it affordable and/or eco friendly. A 20 million dollar fence to keep in the dog is not reasonable.
@@finallyfriday. ya. my wood fence was fine with its wood posts. Cheaper than vinyl also.
Setting of the posts is the foundation of the fence.
you make references to Florida. Are you in Florida or were you in Florida?
I was for a few years. We started another company down there.
hope youre having a good dang day
Wow! That is a lot of fence for the price. That is cheap.
Where I live.... $$$$$$$$$^^^^^^
The fence company only used 1 60 lb bag for a 6 ft fence and they didn’t screw the c-channel nor the post caps. But they have 5 stars. Too bad I found this out after the fact.
😬 Yeah... 1 bag is pretty measly.
I tell all potential customers don't use home Depot or Lowe's vinyl.
Contractor: it’s all about method
Customer: Who tf has $36,000 to put up $2,000 worth of fence… ffs
😂