Fence Postholes
Fence postholes, drilled straight and plumb
Mr. Posthole drills straight, plumb fence postholes for homeowners and fence contractors across seven southeast Michigan counties, from our home base in Fowlerville. We auger holes from 6 to 24 inches across and up to 10 feet deep, run the machine on ground protection mats, and can haul the spoils away.
Why does a straight fence posthole matter?
A straight hole is essential when building a fence, especially a pre-built fence. If the hole leans, the post leans, and every panel after it fights you.
We use an LED inclinometer to keep every hole plumb and vertical regardless of terrain. One customer had another company dig a single hole before giving up on tree roots; he only noticed afterward that their hole wasn't straight. We drilled all 40 of his.
How fast can you drill a fence line?
Customers have timed it for us: twenty 4 ft deep holes in about an hour, 20 holes 42 in deep in under an hour, and 20 holes in tight side-yard spaces in under 3 hours. Every yard is different, so we quote each job on its own details.
Will the machine fit in my backyard?
The machine needs a 42 inch gate. If yours is narrower, fence sections can be removed for access.
Can you lay out the fence?
Kirk does layouts for fences and straightforward decks, quoted separately. Complex decks usually come laid out by the builder.
“Kirk helped me confirm string 10ft on Center and drilled down 48inch.”
What happens to the dirt?
We can remove the spoils from drilling. Haul-away starts at $350, or we can move the dirt where you want it on the property. On an Ann Arbor fence job the customer needed the spoils gone, so we drilled, hauled, and left the line ready for him to finish after inspection.
Can you drill through roots, rock and clay?
Yes. Customers have watched us work through tree roots that stopped another company, dig out a big rock mid-job, and drill in heavy clay. We only need the details to quote it accurately.
Photos
On the job
Auger loaded with soil beside the machine, a straight row of fresh holes running down the lawn 
Fresh postholes in a line along a gravel drive, the machine at the edge of the frame 
Auger coming out of a fresh hole, more holes spaced across the lawn behind it 
Machine with its auger raised over fresh holes at the edge of a backyard 
The auger beside an old wire fence, its LED inclinometer lit green, the machine on a ground mat
Projects
Fence Postholes: recent jobs
Customer reviews
From customers
“Kirk and his team installed 20 post holes in some tight spaces for a new side yard fence in less than 3 hours. They cleaned up the spoils beautifully and left my existing grass unharmed. All for a price that I thought was very reasonable for the job.”
“I hired Kirk from Mr. Post Hole to dig my fence post holes and was impressed with his professionalism and how easy he was to work with. The quality of work is great, all 25 holes are perfectly aligned. I highly recommend Kirk to anyone needing reliable, high-quality post hole work”
“Mr Posthole did an excellent job. I actually had another company come out to dig my postholes for my fence and they dug one and when trying to dig the second - they couldn’t dig it because of the tree roots. I needed 40 holes dug. I was in a panic when I called Mr Posthole they were out right away. Not only was he able to dig all the post holes, he also showed me that not all post hole diggers are the same. The hole that the other company dug was not perfectly straight (which I just thought was the norm). Mr Posthole had a special leveling system with his drill that made sure that the holes were straight and plum. I will definitely use this company again and recommend them to anyone who needs post holes dug.”
FAQ
Fence Postholes questions
Will you damage my yard or lawn?
No. We pride ourselves on disturbing your existing lawn as little as possible. We use fiberglass composite mats to move our equipment across finished lawns, driveways and sidewalks and, more importantly, to turn our machine on your finished lawn. The mats let the machine spin in its own length on top of the mat with little to no disturbance to your property.
How much will my postholes cost?
Every job is a little different. The price depends on how many holes you need, how wide and how deep. The drilling minimum is $350 in the Fowlerville and Howell area, $400 in the Lansing area and $500 in the Detroit area. Other areas are priced by distance. Most deck and fence projects run $350–$450. Fill out the contact form and Kirk will give you an accurate estimate. See pricing and minimums
Do you handle the MISS DIG ticket?
Yes. Kirk files the MISS DIG ticket himself, through his contractor portal, for every job, commercial and residential. It's required by law and protects valuable infrastructure, and he doesn't drill without clearance. MISS DIG needs 72 business hours (Mon–Fri) to clear. A ticket submitted Friday at noon clears the following Wednesday at noon.
What size holes can you drill?
We run 8 auger sizes: 6, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 18 and 24 inches. The deepest we drill is 10 feet. Footings in Saline went the full ten feet, 18 inches wide, to reach undisturbed soil.
Will your machine fit into my backyard?
It needs a 42 inch gate. If your gate is narrower, fence sections can be removed for access. Tell us about the access when you call and we'll plan around it.
Do you work in winter?
Yes. We work year-round, frozen ground included. Our photos include deck holes drilled in the snow in Brighton, and one customer watched us finish a job with a foot of frost in the ground. Ground screws are a good fit for winter builds because there's no concrete to cure.
Is your work guaranteed?
Yes. If a hole isn't plumb or to depth, Kirk redrills it free.
Can you help with my project layout?
Yes. Kirk does layouts for fences and straightforward decks, quoted separately. Complex decks usually come laid out by the builder. Final approval is the customer's responsibility, and we assume no liability for building code compliance.
How is Mr. Posthole different from other posthole drilling services?
Our professionalism aside, our equipment and attention to your project set us apart. We use an LED inclinometer to make sure your holes are perfectly plumb and vertical regardless of terrain, which is essential for a well-built finished product. And our use of ground protection and dedication to preserving your property are unmatched. Your project and property are our number one priority.
What happens to the dirt?
We can remove the spoils from drilling. Haul-away starts at $350, or we can move the dirt wherever you want it on the property.
Do you leave open holes behind?
No. We cover the holes for safety, and we keep the machine and spoils inside the build area whenever the site allows.
Can you take out my old fence and put in the new posts?
Yes. We pull the old fence, cut out old posts set in concrete, haul it all away, drill the new holes and can set the new posts.
Tell us about your holes.
How many, how wide, how deep, and where. Kirk will text or call you back with a quote. Mon–Sat 7am–7pm.