Homeowner Forum / Construction / May 2006

String a line.  You can pound a stake into the ground 12" from the
house at the far end of the wall you want the fence lining up with,
then pull the line to a batter board that's just past where you want
the brick column to be.
http://www.deathbike.net/snaps/barn/01601.jpg
You'll measure from the close corner of the house and move the line on
the batter board end until the measurement is 12" - that'll give you a
parallel line.

R

Sounds like you just need reference points, not how to build brick columns.

Tie off a nylon string line to the back of the house.  Run it along the side
of the house.  Run it further than the 10 yards anticipated.  The string
must be taut.  Do the same thing on the other side of the house.  You should
have two parallel lines.   Measure out ten yards from the house on both
string lines.  Beat in some batten boards with a board just above ground
level a few feet over the approximate length of the fence and columns.  Tie
off a nylon string line that lines up with both ten yard marks.  This should
be the reference line you're looking for.

With thought and patience, you can do it alone.  You don't need a transit.
See pyramids in Egypt as an example.

the best way is to use a string line and lets say you want to build a colum
in the back yard take the string line and fasten to the front of the house
all the way where it 90 degrees and becomes the front of the house  get
somebody to help you and move the string until it just touches the exterior
wall of the back of the house if  you don't have a helper  you can use a
stake and walk back and forth make sure your string is pulled tight this is
the very best way and very easy also if you are looking for level you can
also line up the string with the brick horizontal