Installing Our Own Fencing with Concrete Posts & Gravel Boards

I now know that installing fencing is incredibly hard work.  Or at least ones with concrete posts and gravel boards.

That said, I'd do it all over again as it's a very rewarding job that has saved us £650 compared to a quote we received.  It's always good to learn skills for life and we've added value to the property.

But for well over two years, our fence has desperately needed replacing and I find that searching for a tradesman to trust and does a good job is off putting.  I wish I found it easier.

Since working up the courage to install my DIY patio back in August (and getting such lovely feedback), it inspired me to try a new big job.

This time, I couldn't do it on my own.

I prefer time to myself for many reasons.  There's no one to be embarrassed around while I try to work out solutions and measurements, which might be simple to someone else and not to me.  Oh, and no one to boss me.  I'd like to think I'm not alone here, but I really enjoy the learning and reward that comes with it.

So for this job, I got tips from my Dad over the phone (who does sheds and fencing for a living).  I knew if I rang him and asked if he thought I were physically capable, that he'd be absolutely truthful as from the work he's seen from me, he'd get an idea.

I needed to know if I'd be able to lift the concrete things on my own and whether I'd need a helping hand and general methods for obstacles I might (and did) come across.

So together with my fiance, this was definitely a team effort.  We dug post holes we'd never done before and it required a lot of digging up soil and concrete.

After trying with a hammer drill, it soon became apparent that we needed a concrete breaker too.  Instead of hiring one for the weekend at around £50-60, we decided it would be best to buy one instead.

This was my Dad's idea and he'd tried out a friend's one from JTF for £119.99 and it was good and indeed it was.  We just needed to be careful with a gas pipe we knew of, but after a tedious and careful digging with a trowel and trench shovel, it wasn't actually there.  But it's better to safe.

So here's my video tutorial with a list of all the things I used in the description.