Fence upgrade, new thicker posts.

It's time for me to replace the interwoven panelled fence. Some of the 75 mm posts have rotted at ground level and been repaired years ago with those metal plates.

We'd like a post and rail fence in its place, I did this before with the fence at the bottom of the garden and was straightforward as there were no slabs and I could dig new holes for the 100 mm posts as required. This time I'm thinking maybe a few ways to go about it and work around the slabs.

I'll have the open side of the fence on our side, and nail the feathered edge boards from the neighbours side.

1. Use the same spot for the new posts, completely remove the old concrete with an SDS jack hammer. New 100 mm posts.

2. Remove the old posts and reuse the old concrete by 'opening up' the centre with jack hammer, new 100 mm posts and concrete around them.

3. Just remove old posts and pick new positions for new posts, cutting slabs as needed.

4. Any other way?

What would the experts here do? I'm likely to be working on my own and not getting any younger, so easiest way preferred.

The tricky bit is when removing an old concreted in post you end up with a biggish hole.

I ended up digging them out and using a bulk bag of ballast and cement so I had plenty of material, rather than post mix bags.

I put the mix in dry, levelled, rammed hard then watered with rose on watering can.

I recommend post savers or wrapping bottom of post from just above soil line and down 300mm with bitumen flashband put on with heat gun and seam roller - it really makes post last longer.

I'm hoping to avoid digging them out, surrounded by slabs on both sides, if i reuse the same holes concrete will be broken up with jack hammer.

Good tips, thank you.