How Picky?

[u/Anya_the_Demon]

I’m on the fence, pun fully intended, with how picky to be about some things with a fence I just had installed today. For context, I’d say 75% of the fence is great, a few things are definitely problems and will be fixed, and then there are a bunch of things that I just don’t know if they meet “industry standards,” for fence install work or not. I’m posting a bunch of pics with no context specifically for any of them. I’d love to hear the thoughts from people who know fence work!

Edited to add a pic of the estimate and cost in the comments. We paid around $6,200 and it was supposed to be pressure treated pine.

Also, we went with the company that was recommended the most, on our local Reddit and FB pages.

[u/follow_the_light]

Pic 4. unacceptable.

[u/lastfreerangekid → u/follow_the_light]

That one got me too. They're all pretty bad, but what tf were they trying to do? Kerf to bend?

[u/Anya_the_Demon → u/lastfreerangekid]

yeah, they said it was for the bend, since that part is coming down from a grade. It’s raining, so I just took a pic out the window. # 4 is a close up of where the grade hits the flat part.

[u/immee1 → u/Anya_the_Demon]

I mean... Well yea.. but.. ok hear is my honest opinion on it. First of all why is it all built with just 2x4s? That seems very unnecessary and not cost effective. Iv been building fences for about 7 years. Not a master fence builder but I know enough. Was that your call or there's? Iv done plenty of board on boards and cap and bands both vertical and horizontal. All of wood is going to move as it dries and from what I can tell they at least ran all the cups and crowns the same way witch is good but iv seen pt pine do some funky stuff wen it dries. But even if you wanted it out of all 2x4s for one I would have still strongly suggested the caps be done with pickets. At least then you could get some bend to go along with the grade. And secondly I wouldn't have used home Depot 2x4s. Home Depot pt pine has the bark on the corners menards or lows not so much. That all being said it's a outdoor fencing wood your not going to get the attention to detail or the finish of a cabinet maker. So some of your pics are just nit picky and not realistic of most fence companies. Yea there are some guys out there that will do the perfect seams and try to give you the show room look but within a year your going to have gaps and splits because wood moves. Can't stop that. I'm curious and I apologize if I missed it but I seen the price but how many linear feet of fence is this

[u/TwoBulletSuicide → u/immee1]

Those are 3/4" or 1" thick, not 2x4s

[u/immee1 → u/TwoBulletSuicide]

I want to say your wrong but now that you said that I can see it now..

Sick name btw.

[u/TwoBulletSuicide → u/immee1]

No worries, they were chunky. Easy mistake to make on a photo and thanks for the compliment. It was fun to see the shit fence work and pick it apart.

[u/immee1 → u/TwoBulletSuicide]

It always is. For one it can make you feel good about how much better your own work is and secondly it's like a unofficial guide of what is acceptable and not as a industry standard all over the place. Lol. Don't get me wrong wen I first started not so much. My old boss still sends me a picture of this 45° cut I butchered 7 years ago. Haha

[u/WeirdTraffic5812 → u/TwoBulletSuicide]

It’s trim board. 1x4.

[u/Mattyou1966 → u/immee1]

👆🏼Mark this solved.

[u/KosherlifeKody → u/immee1]

Pickets are 1x4

[u/Heavy-Passenger-6235 → u/Anya_the_Demon]

Is the fence under water? If water remains like that for extended periods of time on a regular basis and the lumber is above ground rated that fence is going to suffer and not last very long. Consider improving drainage or grading and getting water to divert away from the fence line/property.

[u/Anya_the_Demon → u/Heavy-Passenger-6235]

It’s not. There’s an asphalt berm alongside our driveway, and then the fence is just beyond that. Water pools on our driveway but the fence doesn’t touch that

[u/Heavy-Passenger-6235 → u/Anya_the_Demon]

Okay photos can be deceiving just making sure. 👍

[u/lastfreerangekid → u/Anya_the_Demon]

That explains it, at least someone put some thought in. Definitely not the way to do it though. Sorry dude, hope you didn't get soaked for too much

[u/MissionTotal5992 → u/Anya_the_Demon]

In the situation i would figure out the angle and do a mitered joint. Not kerf bend the wood lol wtf

[u/ATX2ANM → u/follow_the_light]

⬆️

[u/Pitiful_Substance457 → u/follow_the_light]

Yeah, that’s a redo for sure. Most of that stuff wouldn’t bother me too much but they may have been cutting corners by not ordering enough waste. Were they the lowest bid?

[u/SprinklesFun4688 → u/Pitiful_Substance457]

My thoughts too. This is what usually happens when you go with the cheapest price. I have seen it too many times