You've got the fence posts, the weekend blocked off, and a big decision staring you down: is it better to dig or drive fence posts? If you've been researching fence installation lately, you might have heard about a new trend: driving fence posts instead of digging. You may not know which is best, but our team at Cedar Rustic Fence Co. is here to help.
Our team has been providing fence installation services across Chicagoland since 1927, through every soil condition and climate challenge this region can throw at us. We've distilled nearly a century of local fence installation expertise into this straightforward guide to help you make the best choice for your property.
Some fence installation companies are pushing the driving method hard. But here's what they're not telling you: there's a reason why established contractors like Cedar Rustic, with nearly 100 years of experience, still dig every post. It's not because we're stuck in the past, it's because we know what works in Chicago's challenging conditions.
The Digging Method: The Industry Standard
As the name suggests, digging means you’re clearing out space for each post using a tool like a manual digger, a powered auger, or machinery with a post-hole attachment. Once the hole’s ready, the post goes in and gets packed in tightly, usually with soil, gravel, or concrete. It’s the old-school method, and still the go-to for plenty of homeowners doing it themselves.
For over a century, fence contractors have perfected the art of digging and setting posts. This isn't tradition for tradition's sake; rather, it's a proven method that works with every fence type, meets all municipal codes, and provides reliable results.
Traditional Cemented Posts: The Proven Method
The most common questions we hear involve the difference between digging and driving. Here's the answer: digging has been the gold standard for fence installation for over 100 years. We know this because we've been around that long, installing thousands of fences using this time-tested process.
Village codes throughout Chicagoland are written specifically for dug posts. Inspectors understand this method, expect it, and know exactly how to verify proper installation depth. There's no education or special variances required, just straightforward installation that everyone understands.
Pros of Digging Fence Posts
- You want a concrete footing Digging lets you set posts in concrete, which adds serious holding power in loose or shifting soil.
- Your soil is tough If your ground's full of rocks or stubborn clay, a post driver probably won't cut it. Digging is your only option.
- You need total control Digging gives you the precision to line everything up just right — fence corners, straight lines, and gate openings.
- You don't want to rent gear Basic digging tools are easy to get and don't require any special know-how to use.
Cons of Digging Fence Posts
- Takes more time Digging is slower than driving, especially when dealing with a lot of posts or heavy soil.
- Posts may shift over time If the backfill isn't compacted just right, the post can start to move, which weakens the entire fence.
The Hidden Dangers of Driven Posts
Driving involves pushing fence posts straight into the ground using force — no holes, no digging. This can be done with a handheld post driver or a powered machine. It's a straightforward method that works well for line posts, corners, or dividing fences.
While driving posts might sound faster and easier, there are critical safety and legal issues that often go unmentioned when companies promote this method.
Pros of Driving Fence Posts
- Faster to install With some experience, you can get posts in the ground fast, sometimes in just a few minutes each.
- Cleaner results Driving disturbs the ground less than digging, so there's less mess to clean up and less chance of erosion.
Cons of Driving Fence Posts
- Struggles in rocky soil Rocks make it nearly impossible to drive posts cleanly, and hitting them can damage tools or the posts themselves.
- Needs special tools Without access to the right equipment, it's not something most DIYers can pull off easily.
- Harder to tweak Once you start driving a post, it's tough to adjust its position. That can make getting perfectly straight lines more difficult.
- Illegal near utilities Driving fence posts within 18 inches of marked utility lines is illegal. This requires manual digging or vacuum excavation in those zones, complicating installation and increasing liability.
The Utility Line Problem No One Talks About
CRITICAL: It's illegal to pound posts within 18 inches of marked utilities. This isn't a suggestion, it's the law. When utilities are located on your property, you must hand-dig or vacuum excavate near these lines. A post driver cannot be used in these areas under any circumstances.
This creates a massive problem: you won't know where your fence can be installed until all utilities are marked. In other words, if utilities run along your planned fence line, you'll need to either move the entire fence or switch to digging for those sections.
The Inspection Nightmare
With traditional dug posts, inspectors can easily verify proper depth by checking the post hole before concrete is poured. With driven posts, there's no hole to inspect, and you're essentially asking inspectors to trust that posts were driven deep enough. Many villages simply won't accept this method.
These aren't minor inconveniences: rather, they're serious legal and safety requirements that can completely derail your fence project.
The Real Cost Comparison
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Proponents of driving claim it's cheaper and faster. However, when you factor in all the hidden costs and materials, the math tells a different story.
Hidden Material Costs of Driven Posts
Driven fence posts require expensive additional materials that significantly increase costs:
- Aluminum or steel fences need heavy-gauge posts PLUS decorative sleeves to hide the pounding damage.
- Vinyl requires chain link posts with special "donuts" to keep posts plumb and secure.
- Wood fences need steel posts or chain links with ugly brackets, since you cannot drive wood posts.
The equipment alone tells the story: pneumatic pounding equipment rental costs hundreds per day, while basic digging tools are often already in your garage.
Why "Faster" Doesn't Always Mean "Cheaper"
Yes, a post driver can pound posts quickly, but only when everything goes perfectly. Consider these common scenarios:
- Hit a rock? That post won't go straight, requiring removal and relocation.
- Find utilities? Stop everything and switch to hand digging.
- Hard ground or clay? The driver may not achieve proper depth.
The key takeaway: Material costs for driven posts are always higher, and the supposed time savings often evaporate when you hit real-world obstacles.
What seems like a cost-saving measure often ends up more expensive than traditional digging.
Material Limitations: What They Don't Tell You
Not all fence materials are created equal, and the method of driving posts severely limits your options for fence design and materials. Here are some considerations.
You Can't Drive Cedar Posts
As Cedar Rustic Fence Co., we need to be crystal clear: you cannot drive cedar posts. The force required to pound posts will split, crack, or shatter cedar wood. This immediately eliminates our most popular and beautiful fencing option if you choose the driven method.
The Ugly Truth About Driven Post Adaptations
For materials that can technically be driven, the adaptations required aren’t aesthetically pleasing. Chain link posts with brackets holding wood panels look industrial, not residential. If you want to enjoy cedar’s natural beauty or the flexibility to choose any fence style, digging is your only option.
Why Villages and Inspectors Prefer Dug Posts
Municipal codes weren't written in a vacuum — they're based on decades of experience about what works and what doesn't in local conditions.
Code Compliance Made Simple
Most village codes throughout Chicagoland are written assuming traditional cemented posts in dug holes. These codes specify:
- Minimum post hole depth (typically 42 inches for 6-foot fences)
- Concrete requirements and proper mixing ratios
- Drainage specifications using gravel bases
- Frost heave prevention methods have been proven over decades
When you dig posts, you're working WITH the system, not against it. There are no special permits, no confused inspectors, and no delays.
Some villages require post hole inspections prior to the fence being installed. This is not possible when pounding a post.
The Documentation Advantage
Traditional installation creates a clear paper trail: post hole depth photos, concrete pour documentation, and inspection records. This documentation protects you during inspection, protects your warranty, and provides proof of proper installation if you ever sell your home.
When you dig posts, you're working WITH the system instead of against it.
The Digging Advantage: Fences Built to Last
Beyond meeting codes and avoiding utilities, digging offers concrete advantages for long-term fence stability that driven posts simply can't match.
Superior Strength Through Proper Foundation
When we dig post holes and fill them with concrete, we're creating a foundation that:
- Distributes weight across a larger area than driven posts.
- Allows for gravel drainage layers that prevent frost heave.
- Creates a bell-shaped footer that resists uplift from Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles.
- Provides flexibility to double-check and adjust post position before concrete sets.
Addressing the Minor Cons Honestly
Yes, digging has two minor drawbacks:
- You need to deal with the dirt removal from each hole.
- The process takes slightly longer than driving (when driving works perfectly).
However, these disadvantages pale in comparison to the legal risks, material limitations, and potential failures of driven posts. Think of it this way: a little extra dirt and time investment pays off with decades of reliable fence performance.
The Chicago Factor: Special Considerations for Our Climate and Soil
Chicago's climate and soil conditions create unique challenges for fence installations that homeowners in other regions don't face. It’s crucial to understand these regional specifics to make an informed choice between digging and driving methods.
Most city lots come with their own surprise: a mix of clay, sand, and debris left over from old construction. This "urban fill" often makes digging the better choice, especially when dealing with hidden obstacles. If you want a head start, Cook County and nearby extension offices offer detailed soil maps that can give you a better idea of what's underground before you begin.
Working with Chicago's Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Our high frost line means posts must be set deep to prevent heaving. Traditional dug posts with proper concrete footings and gravel drainage have proven effective against frost heave for over a century.
Rocky Soil and Construction Debris
Chicago's urban soil often contains construction debris, old foundations, and rocks. When digging, you can remove these obstacles or work around them. With a post driver, hitting a buried concrete chunk means that the post simply won't go down, forcing you to relocate or switch to digging anyway.
