Only pay for what you need
Fences do not have to be very complicated projects but they do involve slightly more prep work than many people realize and this sometimes makes it needlessly complicated and sometimes ridiculously expensive! Here are some factors that you should consider so that you can determine exactly what kind of fence you want. Western Fence Co is there to help you every step of the way. Contact us today.
Installing a new fence can improve the appearance of your yard in addition to offering privacy. Homeowners, though, may be surprised by some unexpected costs.
Fence installation by a qualified, reputable professional can help ensure not only long life for your fence but an aesthetic improvement for your yard.
Most urban centers offer a host of contractors, giving you the ability to pick and choose the company or individual pro who best suits your needs. In many respects, this also gives you control over price, but you need to be alert for potential hidden costs.
Understand what’s beneath your lawn
While the bulk of your fence is installed above ground, properly installed underground posts are critical for long-term viability. This means total cost is in large measure determined by the soil in your yard.
What it contains can make an installation straightforward or very complex.
Soft soil, for example, means your contractor will need to auger down deeper than average (typically 1/3 of the post’s length for maximum stability) and pour more concrete, which means a higher labor cost.
Hard soil or clay poses the same problem. In this case, your contractor will need extra time to dig out post holes.
Large rocks can also increase costs. If your fence builder finds a massive stone buried along your fence line, you’ll have two choices: Dig it up (sometimes requiring an excavator) or go around. Both come with an increased cost.
While it’s possible to glean some information about your soil conditions before you hire a contractor, never take any estimate at face value. Always have a 10 percent contingency in your budget.
Fence depth a consideration
Another potential cost increase comes from the slope of your yard. All yards slope down from a home to some extent to ensure water drains away from basements and window wells.
If your home is built into the side of a hill, however, or if you’ve significantly changed the slope of your yard via landscaping, expect the price of your fence to increase.
Here’s why. A fence line with no (or very little slope) doesn’t require much in the way of preparation. Once the post holes are done, posts can be cemented in and string lines run to mark out the proper height for bottom and top fence stringers.
If your yard slopes sharply up or down, however, much more work is required to measure, cut and trim stringers and boards that fit. The result is a longer, more complex job and greater total cost.
Any reputable fence estimator should be able to give a general estimate for the price of dealing with your slope. Be wary of any quotes that sound too low or if the estimator says anything along the lines of “don’t worry about it.”
Read more at:
