Regarding residential fences:
Rule of thumb: 1/3 of post height buried, 2/3 above ground. Specs should also include coating the posts that penetrate in the ground with a preservative such as Cuprinol — even if posts are deep they can still rot (even if treated wood) and become weak at ground level and snap off; use galvanized clips to secure railings instead of toe nailing; post holes 12″ diameter and fill with concrete; put gravel in bottom of post hole for drainage; post concrete to be above ground level to keep water from pooling around post; stainless steel ring shanked nails or stainless steel screws to secure pickets (screws may be a little stronger but nails ok; don’t use fasteners that will stain pickets); sacrifice board with slant cut for rain drainage.
I;ve noticed many downed fences in the hood in Houston after hurricane Beryl whose posts are a foot or less in the ground – that is not only unacceptable but in my judgment a legal basis for the contractor to redo the fence or more stronger legal action.
Use quality contractors. Warranties may sound good on paper but often are hollow promises as the contractor may be here today, gone tomorrow; or financially unable to backup their warranty claims.
Some things to ask a contractor: do you carry liability insurance? how long have you been in business? what are your references (preferably with many years of service)? do you have a performance bond and if so who with (show the certificate) and how much? do they have Angie’s List, BBB or other independent consumer ratings? do they have employee crews or are they independent contractors (or day laborers)? ask for list of material to be used (cedar better than treated pine) and quality/brand.
A quality contractor will be a little more expensive and willing to share their quality standards – lesser contractors will act as if affronted — don’t be intimidated, its your pocket book.
Good thing not cheap, Cheap thing not good.
A consumer that makes an informed decision better understands the risk they take…’know thyself’ 🙂
Stay in code. In Houston if fence above 8′ will need a permit.
I recently installed a new fence at my home using the above specs before Beryl. Fences were falling around me, but mine remained as originally built…and currently being used to prop up a neighbors downed fence, awaiting fence contractor rebuild for the neighbor.
A pictorial of a good fence design…