A: Quick Set is a brand name and not descriptive of the application. I am aware of a couple of different brands of instant bag cements that can be used for post setting and can be mixed right in the hole. You dig your hole, place the post, pour the powdered cement mix in the hole, add about a gallon of water to the hole, and walk away.

It is true that if you set posts in traditional premixed wet concrete, you would need to let them set up before you could add the rails and slats because pounding from building would break up the curing concrete. However, this dry product allows fencing contractors to set the posts, pour the dry mix cement into the hole, and build the rest of the fence on the posts. Then they make sure the posts are straight, add the water, and leave the fences to set up. So if this is how he intends to do it, it should work out.

Also, keep in mind that if the workmanship of a licensed contractor is unsatisfactory, you may file a complaint with the California State Licensing Board for four years from the date when the work was done-and longer if the contractor has offered any other warranties for labor and materials in writing. So if you make sure your repair person is licensed and the fence doesn't hold up, you do have recourse to make sure he makes it right.

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Bert Roberts, General Contractor Roseville, CA

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com