Post and Rail Fencing

[YouOnlyLiveOnce]

How easy / difficult a job is it to install this yourself??
Has anyone done this?
Would it be easier to put wooden posts in and then use electric tape fencing instead of rails?

 

[Arizahn]

The posts would be the hard part to put in, after that the rails would be easy - just need a few people to hold the rails level whilst they are nailed in. If you are going to the effort of putting in wooden posts, you may as well have the rails too. You could then have electric fencing to the inside if needed.

 

[cob&onion]

We hired a petrol hole boarer to put our posts in, then just used the rails.
Planning on getting the top lined with elec tape to stop any rubbing/leaning on them!

 

[glamourpuss]

If you are thinking of putting in posts 3" or wider by hand with a manual post knocker then I would categorically say 'Don't do it!' It's knackering & so hard to get right especially if you want it to look sturdy & professional.
We fenced a 2 acre field with 4 " rounds & half round rails. We bought £1000 worth of timber (but have plenty left to fence around my stable yard etc when needed) this was because it worked out cheaper to buy whole 'packs' of what we needed from the timber merchant. We then paid a contractor £300 to put the posts in - done in a day & really neat job. We then hired a nail gun for 2 days & fitted the rails ourselves. It looks sturdy, professional & cost far less than getting a contractor to do the whole job.

Another field I have done with 2" inch rounds with 3" at the corners & halfway along each length. These were an absolute doddle to bang with a manual post knocker. This is fenced with 2 strips of thick white tape. I think it looks really neat & is much more flexible than the post & rail as it isn't the end of the world if it needs moving.
TBH other than one more stretch at the perimeter of our land which has to be P&R the rest I will fence with the thinner rounds & electric tape.

 

[Honey08]

I agree, its very hard to do them manually and make a good enough job of it for post and rail! They have to be very accurate and straight - for wire or tape it doesn't matter so much!

 

[YouOnlyLiveOnce]

Thanks for all your replies

So it would seem my best bet is to buy the wood myself, ask someone to put the posts in for us, then put the rails on ourselves!

Can I also ask if anyone is able to give me a rough idea of how much someone would charge to put some hardstanding down and to erect a field shelter on it for me, if i've already bought the materials??

 

[Dry Rot]

I've seen post and rail fencing discussed on a farming forum and it is something even the experts find difficult to get right. Personally, I'd get a recommended professional to do it and have something you don't mind looking at!

As for pricing erecting a stable, etc. Advertise the job and get several quotes. Also check references. Where horses are involved, there are always cowboys!

 

[pixie]

What area of the country are you in? You could maybe ask for recommendations in the appropriate Regional Board?

 

[Matt and Jack]

What area of the country are you in? You could maybe ask for recommendations in the appropriate Regional Board?

sorry to hijack the thread but your signature is hilarious

 

[pixie]

*curtsies*

 

[OrangePepper]

If you are going to Post and Rail then I would get a locally recommended professional to buy in the timber and do the job for you. I would also advise putting Equi-Fencing (a tight knit sheep fencing) on top of the post and rail so as to stop the horses kicking through the fence line and also that in the event they gallop at the post and rail fencing their is less chance of them being injured if the rails break.
Always keep at least 10 spare rails and 60 4" galvanised nails at hand for the occasional breakage as well as a pair of good quality fencing plyers.
I tend to have every third post concreted in.
Also Post and Rail fencing will require regular after care such a spainting despite the fact it is pre-treated.