Hey guys!! While things in the Merc are cruising, things outside the Merc are getting done as well (can you tell we’ve been starved for projects for the past 9 months?!)
If you’ve followed VR for a while you’ll remember last year I talked about the revolutionary DIY app, DIYZ (pronounced D-I-wise)—it is one of my go-to places for project info and advice. By now, you guys know that most of what we do around here is completely new to us. As fun as it can be to spend hours searching YouTube for the right video, when we’re in project mode it’s much easier to go to one trusted source. For this project I’ve teamed up with the DIYZ app yet again to show you guys how easy it can be to get stuff done.
The biggest challenge was narrowing down and picking a project that I wanted to complete! I thought it would be a piece of cake, but, as it turned out, this simple task was one of the harder things that I did last week. The DIYZ app just has SO MANY PROJECTS. There is literally everything from installing a USB outlet, to building a standing desk riser, to paving a walkway and everything in between. When I saw the tutorial for setting a fence post I was all ?? and ?? ? One of the things that we loved about the Merc is the huge, empty, and completely undeveloped lot behind the workshop. Many, MANY, moons ago there was a chain link fence that divided our property from our neighbors and over years of neglect it has fallen down. While we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our neighbors, (Hi Hafen’s!) we thought it would be a fun project to get stuff looking a little bit more home-like, and less parking-lot-like.
DIYZ has a video from step one to step done, and a tool and materials list for everything you’re going to need. Did you know that they make concrete that you don’t have to mix?! That TOTALLY blew my mind! You dump the dry concrete into the hole with the fence post, pour water in, high five your husband, and you’re done!
I won’t go into too much detail here, because DIYZ does such a great job explaining it in the app, (which you can check out here,) but let’s talk about the slating ‘cause if you follow my Instastories you know it was quite the debate. I wanted the top to be totally level but Court and the tutorials online said that you have to start at ground level and move up. This made no sense to me. The ground is not level. In fact it slopes back quite a bit, so why would we do that?! Why wouldn’t we start at the top, make it level, and work our way down from there? My way meant no math, no unnecessary digging, and a level top from the get-go. Luckily, almost all of you agreed and that is what we did.
I know that not everyone can crowd source answers, (or want to,) which is why the Pro Chat feature on the app is so amazing. FOR FREE, you can video-chat with a real live Pro to help you with your project. Question about wiring that light correctly? Chat with an electrician. Installing sprinklers? Hey-o landscaper. Did I mention this feature is FREE!? F-R-E-E. They have literally given you every possible resource for DIY success that is currently possible.
If you own a home, rent, or anything in between, YOU NEED THIS APP. You can download it here for free now! Also, I’m going to be hopping on FB Live Tuesday at 9am MST to talk through any questions you might have about our fence DIY, the DIYZ app, or home projects in general! I hope you’ll join me, RSVP and get a reminder alert here!
For those wondering, our fence is 75 feet long and we spent just over $800 on it. It looks like a million bucks though, so I guess it was a bargain!
MASSIVE shout-out to DIYZ for sponsoring this project and giving us the motivation and know how to get it done right!
Love it!! Level on top was for sure the way to go.
Oooof. We’re in the process of having our fence redone. It’s 60′ long and about 7′ high (all cedar) and cost us just under $4k to have someone else do it. 🙁 Wish I had had the guts to DIY it because yours looks great! And yes, level on the top was DEFINITELY the way to go. Our old fence was all wonky on the top and it looked awful.
Where did you get the wood and what kind is it? Good old home depot?
I’m wondering same thing~ what wood & where? Looks terrific, Mandi!
Its just cedar fence posts from Home Depot!!
Is it possible that the app is open to US residents only? I cannot find it on google play!
Too bad, because I was looking forward to download it. Even without the chat with the expert (I assume that is the most expensive part to keep available for anyone worldwide) it would still be very useful.
@Mandi – I love the horizontal fence!
I’m looking for the post you did on updating the exterior of the Shop/Garage but I can’t seem to find it through he search function and there’s a giant “Yes, We’re Open” sign that block the bottom black bar where I would imagine the “older” tab would be so I could manually go back through the posts. I couldn’t find it on Instagram or youtube either (I may have missed it) Can you point me in the right direction?
I have the same issue when I open the site in internet explorer, but it looks fine in Chrome. It may be a browser issue… good luck!
How many slats did you end up using? Looks great! Hurricane Harvey did a number on our fence and now it needs replacing. You may have just given me the courage to do it ourselves!
Hi Mandi! The fence looks great! Are you worried about the bottom slats being buried in the ground rotting faster over time? I know it is cedar, but I think you typically start a fence at the bottom to avoid that, no? Nice job as always!
Are your fence posts on the outside instead of facing your property? I thought it was common fence etiquette to have the posts on the inside and not facing your neighbor?!?! It looks great every fence I’ve seen the posts are on the inside of the yard facing the property and the smooth side faces the neighbors/street side.
Ooh, your fence is so pretty! Great job. I am wondering what kind of boards you used for the fence? I noticed others asked, but you mentioned cedar posts. Could you please clarify? Thanks
I downloaded the app but this project was no where to be found on it, I’m I missing something?
Hey there! It looks like DIYZ is no more 🙁 What type of wood did you use for your horizontal slat? By my calculations, 75 feet should cost you a heck of a lot more than $800!
Hey Mandi and Court!
Could you please go into more detail about how you built your fence? I tried downloading the app, but it says it’s “not available in your country or region”. But I live in Florida, so I’m wondering if it’s not available anymore??
I need this fence in my life!! Help!
Yes! We’ll have an updated tutorial in the next few weeks!
You have such an amazing eye for design! And, oh how I love this fence you built and designed. When I first saw this fence I pinned it and bookmarked it. I have been following your blog from way back and truly enjoy how you share all your projects; not just the end result. I have been searching and searching for the type of wood you used to build this fence to no avail. Please, can you share what kind of wood you used for the slats? I think a lot of readers would be happy to know this info. too. For the like of me, I don’t
understand why it’s not being shared. Love, love, love all that you do. You are such an inspiration.
Looks great! We have a horizontal fence too (but we didn’t build it, we bought this one) and I love the way they look. I really need to check out the DIYZ app so I can tackle cool projects like this. I’m always afraid to do things myself but the app sounds super helpful so I’ll have to give it a try!