Five Things Terrible Fence Contractors Do 

I just wanted to say that it’s good seeing Mark happy again in the videos and Wyoming for that matter.

(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!

i agree with everything except your hinge selection. stainless adjustable bolt hinges are my favorite by far

Great video Mark and team a lot of great points. Have a great dang day and great Memorial Day 💪

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!

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!

I went with a used chain link fence and lots of bushes!

I really like these videos. It's nice to see quality work.

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.

I love your channel! Thanks for educating homeowners and for disrupting the industry for better standards and accountability.

Learn a lot from you .Thanks again!

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.

thank you

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.

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.

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.

Can you use rebar in two corners to reinforce fence posts in strong wind? Or will this compromise the vinyl?

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 .

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?

Do you guys know any really good fence contractors in Utah that do the no dig method?

Setting of the posts is the foundation of the fence.

hope youre having a good dang day

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.

Do you service northern Utah, Ogden area by chance? Evanston, WY is an hour away. Asking for a friend.😄

Do you cover the Clewiston area?

Is it possible to use a post master steel post with a vinyl post?

Could you please suggest fence material to buy so that we can build the fence. Installation is so expensive

I know you moved back up not, but is the company still in Florida? Did I miss my opportunity to work for SWI Florida!

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 😂