Fencing Installation – Techniques And Costs
July 8, 2008
Fence
An incredibly easy process, fencing installation procedures receive the creeps since most of us prefer staying ignorant on the facts. But it doesn’t require much exercise to remember that each roll of fencing material, weighing between fifteen and thirty eight pounds and up to 500 feet (linear) is a day’s work for two people. The cost may vary depending on the heights and the grades of the fences, but the basic calculation on an effort remains more or less the same.
The techniques to put up a fence are simple as well. All that you need to do is install the supporting posts; unrolling the black mesh grid from post to post; driving in the galvanized nails and stretching the fence in a perfect straight line between the posts. While many might frown that the procedure applies only to the nylon tension-cable fences, but most of the readymade fences now follow a similar installation procedure. However, many do require the ground stakes; they secure the fence to the ground so that it can’t be taken apart by any force slamming upon.
Now, to the statistics. For pet containment, the minimum height of a fence should be 7.5’; for anything else, anything
Fencing Info
equal to or higher than 4’ shall suffice. Fence posts must stay 6 to 8 feet apart. As for the pricing, for fences 4 feet high, prices vary between $15.00 and $30.00 per/ft. However, that’s the cost of the material and not the total fencing cost. Fencing procedures for installation attract charges as per the contractor you have chosen.
But then again, if you want to get done the fence yourself, a lot of extra expenditure comes into the scene. These are:
i. Fencing procedures manual: Around $25
ii. Automatic post-hole digger: $500.00 – $3500.00
iii. Manual post hole digger: $50.00 – $100.00
iv. Depth gauge: $2.00 – $5
v. Cement: $3.00 – $16.00/ package.
Add to it the cost of beverages and food you’ll require to work in the sun, and the price can come up to quite a hefty one. And unless you are skilled in such jobs, things can head the other way.
On the other hand, hiring a professional to carry out the fencing procedure shall be a one time cost, either equal to what we discussed or slightly lower. Plus, you shall be saving your energy and time; with skilled fencing installation personnel, you can just as well relax on your couch and save and utilize some more of it.
A fencing contractor is not necessarily an angel. This is the first thing you must keep in mind before deciding upon a fencing installation. Thus, it’s vital to know everything (ok, as much as you can) about each fencing contractor you shortlist. The following tips shall prove useful and shall take you smoothly through the final selection and fencing installation processes. That is, if you want the job done in the right way and also for a reasonable price.
- Let people speak on behalf of your chosen fencing contractor.
A well-established practice brings in excellent testimonials. Therefore, how much ever a fencing contractor claims himself a professional, you must ask him to provide a few references on his previous/existing clientele. Another way to find out a reliable fencing contractor is through the customer/after sales services he provides and includes that in the agreement. This is vital because after the installation part is over and he is paid, unless you are covered by the agreement, chances are he can dupe you. The local BBB (Better Business Bureau) can provide a vast list of reputable fencing contractors; that way, you can also be sure that the one you are choosing is a license holder for the job and you have an organization to fall back upon in case things take an abrupt turn.
- Own workforces for fencing
A fencing contractor with his own workforce is always a good choice. If the contractor sub-contracts, then the output cannot be predicted. On the other hand, fencing companies with trained workforces that are their own offer a guaranteed rapid progress on the job. Else, be prepared for a job done haphazardly.
- Labor guarantee
That translated, is an assurance of the fence erected to work properly for at least a year. Those who know their job shall have no hang-ups regarding providing one. It shall also save you from incurring a lot of extra cost if things tend to go wrong after a few days, weeks or months. It shall also reinforce further the fact that the chosen fencing contractor has a lot of experience and true expert knowledge.
Following all these points shall ensure one thing – you are putting a fence around your money and stopping it from going to waste. It especially holds true when you know that the fencing contractor is not going to embark upon the given assignment if not paid a certain percentage of the payment as an advance; it’s not that every reliable fencing contractor asks for an advance, but many do. So why depend upon a guesswork when you have concrete grounds to judge?
fence
Speak about variety; speak about fences. From the most popular picket fences to the wood and chain link fencing, the types are available today in the form of easy to assemble kits in different materials at your local hardware store. But then again, not every fence is meant for every purpose; it is thus vital to know which is which before setting your mind upon one.
A lot of things need to be considered prior to buying the fence; firstly, it’s the interior structure; next, the gaps between the panels and the other guidelines set by the local government. In case you need your fence to serve as a wind- and sound- barrier, you must opt for the high-lapped panel varieties; for optimum privacy, it’s the tall and solid fences, but all those come later. Right now, let’s concentrate upon the most popular fencing varieties.
People consider wood fences and aluminum fences as their favorites; the materials, though unique, have their own sets of pros and cons. Wood fencing works out cheaper than everything else but is a maintenance guzzler; if you want the feel of wood but zero-maintenance durability, perhaps you should try a synthetic alternative e.g. vinyl fences with wood finish.
If you prefer metal, then a chain-link fence should be your prime lookout. Also known as wire netting/chain-wire fence, the weave comprises galvanized/LLDPE-coated wires made of steel, running vertically and bent to provide a zigzag pattern. These are strong and long lasting no-doubt, but quite high-priced and lacks the elegance that of a picket fence. Apart from a deck, the picket fence is the tool to dress-up your landscape in an Olde English charming manner. They impart a simple but rustic appearance to your property allover.
If you have a fascination for strength and ornamentation, then nothing is going to suit you better than the wrought iron fences. The look and feel of wrought iron fences last through decades; due to the absence of welding in premium quality fences, there won’t be any red rust problems detracting its overall beauty. Just be careful that the iron is galvanized first and then powder-coated; done that way, it is a protection against corrosion, more on durability and bear a great appearance. Beauty and security in a complete package of great esthetics, that’s what wrought iron fences are all about.
