10 Mistakes I Made Building My Picket Fence and How to Fix Them

In this video, I discuss ten mistakes I made building my picket privacy fence, and how I fixed or mitigated the mistakes. This was the first time I had built a picket fence myself, and while the concept is simple, I learned little things that would make a big difference the next time around. Hopefully by sharing them, someone else will do better. To build my fence, I used 4x4 AC2 Pressure Treated posts, AC2 Pressure Treated 2x3x8's, 1x6x6' AC2 Pressure Treated Pickets, and quick set post cement.
Here are some links for some helpful tools when building a picket fence such as the one I built. Using these links helps this channel.
Fence Post Level:
amzn.to/3ZdDNSp
Standard Level:
amzn.to/3PDeBBw
Post Hole Digger:
amzn.to/3ZosbvR
Trim Screws:
amzn.to/46aUW1f
Layout/Guide String:
amzn.to/466xTEQ
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[@steveanthony7550]

I put up the same pickets and had very similar issues with the pickets etc. I too wanted to save some money so I used 2x2 top and bottom and a 2x4 center. I don't have any regrets there, the 2x4 across the center gave it more than adequate strength. Watching this video I remember the pain and time I wasted trying to get everything perfect, wasn't worth it once the pickets started drying smh lol All in all it looks very good and does what a fence should do. I kept the bottom of the pickets off the ground about 2" and ran a picket along the bottom to the ground, kinda like trim molding lol.. This way I'm hoping the fence pickets will last a lot longer without the ground contact and picket running across the bottom gives it a finished looked, plus its a lot easier to replace one of the pickets running across if rot develops on it instead of risking rot on the bottom of all of them over time. 6 years and counting all is well! Great tips for anyone looking to make their own fence, keep up the great work and videos!

[@woodywoodpecker3643]

Rough- thanks for sharing. About to start a 240’ fence with some slope and curve…. Never done it before but I’ve been watching a ton of videos to make it easier…. Green Wood Bad!!!

[@justinkelley9700]

I agree the wood quality is like any other garbage your large national hardware stores provide us, but what really helps warping picketts is they should not be nailed to the runner board more than 6 inches away from the top or bottom of the dog ear pickett. You will always have some bad pickets but the wood being green or wet is not the issue. It's mainly the runner placement.

[@gt1884]

Great tips. Green wood…

[@donna-donna]

I think you did outstanding!! Mistakes and all!! Are you going to stain it?

[@user-hq2qq1si6n]

Did you watch any videos on KZbin. There are several fence companies who put how to videos on how to build a quality fence. SWI, The Fence Expert, Mr. Fence. These guys tell you all the ins and outs of building a quality fence.

[@FEoma]

Great tips, thanks! I’ve got my posts in and going to buy the rest of the lumber today. Do you think cedar pickets would avoid the warping problem?

[@ValioMadre7]

That's why I always get a professional to install my fence. Cheaper in the long run.

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

I saved about $3000. Definitely cheaper in the long run for me to do it myself.

[@iamcancer3298]

2 inch ring shank for the pickets . Your pickets will fall off before those nails pull out. Also , even green lumber will have s bow to it. Face your bows the same direction, at least it will watp in same direction......... you definitely don't want your gate hanging off the side of your house.

[@davidmccrudden4193]

Think about using gravel boards next time rather than having the palings touch the ground.

[@Peso200]

All i see its a watermelon 😋