Fencing Basics: The Complete Walkthrough
This guide covers fencing basics, rated a moderate task, typically taking 1–7 days.
Our printable card on fencing basics covers the essentials at a glance — here's the fuller walkthrough.
Posts set firm, wire strained tight
Good fencing comes down to two fundamentals: posts set deep and firm enough to resist pressure, and wire or mesh strained tight enough not to sag — skimping on either undermines the whole fence.
What You'll Need
Worth paying attention to:
- Posts (timber, steel, or a mix of strainer and standard posts)
- Wire, mesh, or electric fencing appropriate to what you're containing or excluding
- A post hole digger or auger
- A wire strainer for tensioning
How It's Done
Keep these points in mind:
- 1. Plan the line and mark corner and strainer post positions.
- 2. Dig and set corner/strainer posts deep and firm — these bear most of the load.
- 3. Set standard posts along the line at consistent spacing.
- 4. Attach and strain wire or mesh tight between posts.
- 5. Add any specific features needed — electric wire for extra deterrence, buried mesh for digging animals, or gates for access.
Troubleshooting
Worth paying attention to:
- Fence sagging over time — usually under-strained wire or insufficiently firm strainer posts; re-tension or reinforce posts.
- Animals pushing through or under — check for gaps at ground level; consider a buried skirt of mesh for persistent diggers.
- Posts leaning or loosening — insufficient depth or firming when set; corner and strainer posts especially need to be set deep and well-compacted.
- Electric fence not deterring animals — check the fence is actually earthed and charged correctly; a weak or faulty circuit won't work.
Timing and Maintenance
Best time — any time, though avoiding very wet or frozen ground makes post-hole digging much easier. Duration — a simple garden fence can be a weekend project; larger paddock fencing takes considerably longer. Maintenance — check tension and post condition periodically, especially after storms or ground movement. Signs of success — a fence that stays taut, upright, and effective at containing or excluding what it was built for, season after season.
For the condensed printable version, head to the main guide page linked below.