The correct answer is It depends on what type of ground, material, and area you are working with.
So often people will search on the internet, and the information that is found, is quickly assumed to be true, but that is not always the case.
In most places the standard would be 24” deep but is not always the industry standard depending on the ground conditions.
You can even get instructions from very well know Branded Companies such as the article from QUIKCRETE “How To Videos and Instructions for setting post”, but again this information does not apply to all areas and is mainly for commercial applications.
When searching for Vinyl Fence Post Depth the information you will find is around 3’ deep but the manufacturer (in our area) only makes the post 2’ taller than the fence itself.
These opinions come from people on how they install fence, without consideration of all types of ground conditions such as rock or close to beaches and their experience only comes from their specific location (or by talking to others in a specific location) and is not in line with everyone.
Setting post into solid concrete with a core drill or jackhammering into solid rock, is not going to be as deep as setting post into the dirt.
Also, Commercial Fence applications are usually treated differently than Residential Fence.
So, the questions is:
How deep and wide should my fence post be?
But before you can accurately answer that question, the considerations for the ground conditions, material and area must be considered.
How dense or loose the dirt is?
Is the ground sandy?
Is the ground Clay?
Is there rock present?
Is the rock solid or will the rock break?
What type of material is being used?
How tall is the fence?
And is the fence in an area that gets a lot of wind (such as on top of a hill)?
Please Note: We often see people and companies hitting rock and stopping, this is not always acceptable, and the Fence Post should be set down into that rock some to ensure stability, which creates the need for jackhammering.
When installing Fence Post with no specifications, you can use the following as a guideline but again this going to depend on whether you are setting the Fence Post into concrete, rock, or exactly what condition is the dirt..
Residential applications
Depth = 1/3 of the height of the fence.
Diameter = 2x the width of the post.
Commercial applications
Depth = 1/3 – 1/2 of the height of the fence.
Diameter = 2x – 3x the width of the post.
But remember that all the considerations above must be considered.
At K&C Fence Company (Nashville TN) we would suggest that the main question you should be asking when you are having a fence installed, is this a reputable Fence Company with a track record of building quality fences and does this Fence Company carry and honor a workmanship warranty on the work that they do?
For more information on this, check out our Good Questions to ask your Nashville Fence Contractor Page, as these questions should be applicable to your Fence Project, no matter where you live.
Written by the Owner of K&C Fence Company
