Use this field record before a wood-fence material takeoff. It documents where each measurement starts and ends; the calculator does not choose safe post spacing, footing depth, gate structure, or a fence design.
Still choosing a fence system? Compare wood, chain-link, and vinyl before collecting product-specific measurements.
Mark one datum for each run
- Measure each run between endpoint post centres.
- Count the shared corner once.
- Record gate offset and clear opening on the run that contains it.
Two fence runs share one corner. Run A is 40 feet, Run B is 30 feet, and a 4-foot clear gate starts 12 feet from the first endpoint post centre on Run A.
Measure run length along the intended post centreline, including the centreline distance to each endpoint. Give each physical corner one label and mark it as shared by its adjoining runs. For each gate, measure the offset from the start endpoint post centreline to the near inside face of the clear opening; then measure between the two opening faces. A nominal gate-leaf width is a different dimension.
Worked two-run field record
This is a recording example, not a prescribed fence layout or product choice. Run A travels 40 ft east from terminal T1 to corner C1. Run B travels 30 ft north from the same C1 to terminal T2. The gate on A begins 12 ft from T1's post centreline and has a 4 ft clear face-to-face opening. C1 is one physical post shared by both runs.
- A: T1 → C1: record 40 ft post-centre length; enter the first straight segment as 40 ft.
- B: C1 → T2: record 30 ft post-centre length; enter the second segment as 30 ft and join C1 to A.
- G1 on A: record its near opening face 12 ft from T1 centre and its 4 ft clear width; enter one gate on A with a 12 ft offset and 4 ft opening.
- Selected post: record 3.5 in actual face width from the chosen product; enter it as actual post face width.
- Spacing rule: this example assumes an 8 ft maximum from its project plan. Enter 8 ft only if the selected system and site approve it.
The 12 ft gate offset is not measured to a gate post centre. The calculator uses the entered post face width to place the opening boundary. On the printed sketch, confirm the two fenced portions of A remain positive and that C1 appears once as a shared corner. If the corner is actually two independent posts, keep the runs separate instead.
Transfer products after geometry
For a selected gate, transfer its clear-face width and exact hardware allowances to Gate Clearance, then record ground and obstacles throughout the measured swing. The fence takeoff does not check passage or moving-leaf clearance.
Choose vertical boards or preassembled panels in the wood-fence calculator. Record actual board or panel face dimensions, rail-stock length and permitted joins, saw kerf, fastener rate and package count, cap roles, and each gate kit as a separate selected-product line. A panel offcut is not automatically reusable in another bay. Compare the calculator's bay widths and post categories with the field sketch before using its purchase list.
The wood-fence formula record explains how measured bays become board, panel, rail, and fastener quantities. For a plain post-only mark-out, the fence-post layout diagram can help transfer stations, but it does not show gate hardware or wood-fence panel cuts.
Call 811 Before You Dig and follow the applicable utility-marking process before digging. Procedures and waiting periods vary by state. The Home Depot panel-building guide was reviewed for terminology and scope; its examples are not universal defaults. Selected-product instructions and local requirements control.
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