A fence end brace of two 4x4 posts 8 ft apart with a horizontal brace and a diagonal tie wire.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
8 ftPost spacing
36 inPost depth
58 inAbove ground
1 to 2 hrBuild time
$81.46Materials
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinishedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted
Qty
Stock
Length
Part
Cut
2
4x4 PT
94
Post
1
4x4 PT
92 1/2
Brace
cut to fit between the posts, notched or toe-screwed
Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post 1 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post 2 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Brace 92 1/2
Shopping list $81.46 checked / $0.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treated
Home Depot
3
$11.28
$33.84
see lumber cutting diagram
UV zip ties 11 in, 100 ct (also used for tie wire)
Home Depot
1
$17.65
$17.65
tie wire; use 9-gauge if you have it
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb box
Home Depot
1
$29.97
$29.97
Total before tax
$81.46
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Dig the two post holes 8 ft apart, 36 in deep. Set both posts plumb and tamp gravel around each.
Cut the horizontal 4x4 to fit between the posts, 40 in off the ground. Notch both ends 1 in, or toe-screw with two screws at each end.
Wrap heavy tie wire twice from the base of the line post up to the top of the end post, then back across the top, forming a diagonal.
Twist the wire tight with a stick until it hums, and hammer the stick against the post. The wire pulls the brace tight against the end post.
Tie the fence wire to the end post and tension it only after the brace is done.
Before you start
An H-brace is for the end or corner of a fence. The line wire pulls the end post, and the diagonal wire pulls it back through the brace.
For a long fence, brace every 330 ft. At a corner use two H-braces, one on each side.
Use a 4x4 for a light fence. For a hot or tension fence, use a 6x6 and a longer brace.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.