check your zoning regulations

check your property boundaries

stake your planned layout

pick your pole size and fence style

hire, borrow or sub-contract a mini digger or bobcat with an auger to drill holes for poles

pick a volunteer (a cub = by analogy a human youth, usually male, especially one who is inexperienced, awkward, or ill-mannered - or all three)

pick a day

the style and height of your fence and topography or land contours will dictate how long your load bearing posts need to be

you can dig the holes by hand but watching the machine do it is more fun..

the mechanical stuff bobcat or post driver

a cooler (for an odd beer or soda)

gloves (work is sore on computer hands )

posts

some spare posts since 1 will break (Murphys Law)

fence

screws

metal fixings for posts

concrete (preferably soft)

treatment chemical for bottom of posts (to prevent or slow down rotting)

the fateful day has arrived and you can't listen to it anymore, you must do this..

ok so you have your laminated Gantt_chart everything is going to go to plan, the mechanicals have been pre-booked, all the tools and materials are there, except for the concrete - it is coming at 11.00... just joking. Unless there are an awful lot of posts get the pre-mix concrete and make it as you need it... just add water

1. drill all the holes in the staked out positions

2. mix some concrete and place the metal post holders in the holes

(be sure these holders are level)

3. repeat this for each hole / post

4. after all holes, holders finished, take a rest, rehydrate

Tip: ideally this should be done on one day and come back and place the posts the next day.

5. so the concrete has set and you are ready to place your posts - ladies, to your posts

6. mix some more concrete and place the post in the holder, add more concrete, you may need a little frame or wedge to hold the post precisely vertical otherwise it will look like a dogs breakfast. Use your laser level and bubble level for appropriate readings.

7. after all posts or poles finished, take a rest, rehydrate

Tip: ideally this should be done on one day and come back and place the horizontal part the next day. Depending on the weather the concrete may take an extra day. Finishing the fence with partly dried or partly set concrete will negate the whole exercise.. i.e. the fence posts will be crooked..

8. so the concrete has set and you are ready to place your horizontal bars or fence section.

9. Pre mark all the post, (depends on fence style)

Tip: pre drill the posts just a 1/4 inch since posts are pretty hard wood generally

10. Fit all your horizontal bars, sections and voila you are done mostly, unless for painting or applying some stain or wood preservative.

Tip: place deckchair approx 10 feet back from fence in the middle so you can survey your masterpiece.

err so these instructions are for ground ground,

if you are placing your posts into existing concrete you can get a bobcat with a masonry drill or just a large masonry drill. Make the holes a little bit bigger and add the concrete as before.

if you are fixing your posts to a poured concrete wall you can hire a hilti type gun to shoot the fixings through the post into the concrete

It is not recommend to fix anything except very small posts to a block or brick built wall

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