Fencing Contractor cost - sanity check

thebigmc

Hello wise farmers of boards.ie,

I have gotten a quote of €1150 for fencing, does this seem reasonable for;

120m length
wooden posts,
4 strands of barbed wire and
2 strands of electric wire on field side of the posts.

That is the requirement based on a legal boundary agreement.

Cheers!

J.O. Farmer

thebigmc wrote: »

Hello wise farmers of boards.ie,

I have gotten a quote of €1150 for fencing, does this seem reasonable for;

120m length
wooden posts,
4 strands of barbed wire and
2 strands of electric wire on either side of the posts.

That is the requirement based on a legal boundary agreement.

Cheers!

Are the posts creosoted, what's the spacing.
Is it high tensile wire.
As this is a site boundary there's probably 3 sides rather than 1 long stretch.

If it was my site I'd prefer high tensile sheep wire than 4 strands of barbed wire.

Also why electric wire both sides, I'd have thought on the field side would be enough. Is the electric wire being offset from the posts.

Donald Trump

Might be extra headache based on the "legal" aspect of it. As in, maybe there would be rows or accusations if one party put it up themselves. If that is a possibility, then getting the independent fella in to do it might be worth it even if they are expensive.

thebigmc

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

Are the posts creosoted, what's the spacing.
Also why electric wire both sides, I'd have thought on the field side would be enough. Is the electric wire being offset from the posts.

Sorry Electric wire is 2 strands on the field side only, corrected my post now.
Would be fixed on oneside of the post with barbed on the backside.

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

Are the posts creosoted, what's the spacing.
Is it high tensile wire.

I don't know, but for quote review lets assume its done to high spec

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

As this is a site boundary there's probably 3 sides rather than 1 long stretch.

It is one long stretch along a right of way.

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

If it was my site I'd prefer high tensile sheep wire than 4 strands of barbed wire.

That would be nicer. Would you expect sheep wire to cost similar? Would it keep cattle from breaking through?

thebigmc

Donald Trump wrote: »

Might be extra headache based on the "legal" aspect of it. As in, maybe there would be rows or accusations if one party put it up themselves. If that is a possibility, then getting the independent fella in to do it might be worth it even if they are expensive.

The fencing is not a legal boundary but there is an agreement that we would install the fencing on our side of boundary after purchasing the property. To stop cattle breaking through from one side to other as has happened previously.

Donald Trump

You'd need barbed wire on it as well as sheep wire if you have cattle.

It is usually better to solve these things by agreement anyway, but just to let you know that the legal situation is that it is responsibility of the animal owner to prevent it breaking out. If you own cattle, and they break out, it isn't your neighbours fault even though there might have been an understanding that they are responsible for that fence.

Seems expensive enough to me but I've never seen a quote for having fencing done. Have you ever done any fencing before yourself?

thebigmc

Donald Trump wrote: »

Seems expensive enough to me but I've never seen a quote for having fencing done. Have you ever done any fencing before yourself?

No, but I will likely learn if the material only cost is alot less!

Omallep2

thebigmc wrote: »

No, but I will likely learn if the material only cost is alot less!

I'd go concrete posts all day for this. Lifetime job

J.O. Farmer

thebigmc wrote: »

No, but I will likely learn if the material only cost is alot less!

Sheep wire might add €100 to it. 100m of sheep wire is about €140. The electric fence on top should stop cattle pushing down.

It sounds expensive enough but if high spec materials it adds up quickly then allow for labour but a couple of hundred should cover that.

Just to add get another contractor to price it like for like. This will give you a better indication.

The Continental Op

So basically the cost is about €10 a meter which seems way too expensive to me?

DBK1

The Continental Op wrote: »

So basically the cost is about €10 a meter which seems way too expensive to me?

Yea seems a little bit on the high side alright. A friend got a grant aided sheep fence put up before the winter with PDM posts, sheep wire and I think 2 rows of barbed wire. No electric wire. €6.50 per meter labour and materials.

Add a bit extra to that to cover the electric wire and you’d probably talking somewhere in the region of €7 to €7.50 per meter. Although if the price of posts has risen in line with the price of building timber then it could be getting very close to the price OP was quoted.

J.O. Farmer

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

Are the posts creosoted, what's the spacing.
Is it high tensile wire.
As this is a site boundary there's probably 3 sides rather than 1 long stretch.

If it was my site I'd prefer high tensile sheep wire than 4 strands of barbed wire.

Also why electric wire both sides, I'd have thought on the field side would be enough. Is the electric wire being offset from the posts.

If its sheep wire,your into a second roll....talking circa e270 for sheep wire

4 corner posts at e30 a piece plus 8 strut/strainers at e8 each

Plus 30 stakes at e8 each aswell

270 + 120 + 64 + 240 is e694

2 men for e120 a day is e240

Tractor and post driver another e150.....total e1084


Plus what ever else expense arises (staples,use of chainsaw etc)....ive no idea of price per metre of elec or barb wire

Aravo

Omallep2 wrote: »

I'd go concrete posts all day for this. Lifetime job

+1
Around a house, def go with concrete posts.
Sheep wire and barb wire and electric fence, great job.
What ever the price, you will be at it again in 15-20 yrs with pdm treated timber stakes. Sooner with the tannilised timber stakes.

Price wise, I'm with Blaaz, materials coming in at around 700 euro, that's with the better pdm 6ft posts
Add post driver and labour. For a once off job, its not mad money at all.
Sure you could get a better quote if you were doing a 1000m v 120m.

Bass Reeves

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If its sheep wire,your into a second roll....talking circa e270 for sheep wire

4 corner posts at e30 a piece plus 8 strut/strainers at e8 each

Plus 30 stakes at e8 each aswell

270 + 120 + 64 + 240 is e694

2 men for e120 a day is e240

Tractor and post driver another e150.....total e1084


Plus what ever else expense arises (staples,use of chainsaw etc)....ive no idea of price per metre of elec or barb wire

It's a straight run. 3 strainers at 120 meters 400 feet you will get away with one intermediate strainer. 30 stakes ideally 6' at least maybe 6'6''. If you use PDM 6'' in that size they are over a tenner each. The strainers should be 8' posts 10'' diameter. If the ground is good there is no need to strut them.

OP if is there a gate going in it as do cattle have to cross the right if way. If he is using PDM posts it's not too far out. He want to be using 6'' stakes for intermediates at least 6' and maybe 7' depending on land. Three 10'' strainers 8' at least long.

TBH the price will really depend on materials used. If that's an Inc vat price t
A farmer can claim the vat back about 150 euro. Clarify the materials see if it is PDM posts.

I did a similar fence 15+ years ago. It's is good for at least that again

thebigmc

Bass Reeves wrote: »

It's a straight run. 3 strainers at 120 meters 400 feet you will get away with one intermediate strainer. 30 stakes ideally 6' at least maybe 6'6''. If you use PDM 6'' in that size they are over a tenner each. The strainers should be 8' posts 10'' diameter. If the ground is good there is no need to strut them.

OP if is there a gate going in it as do cattle have to cross the right if way. If he is using PDM posts it's not too far out. He want to be using 6'' stakes for intermediates at least 6' and maybe 7' depending on land. Three 10'' strainers 8' at least long.

TBH the price will really depend on materials used. If that's an Inc vat price t
A farmer can claim the vat back about 150 euro. Clarify the materials see if it is PDM posts.

I did a similar fence 15+ years ago. It's is good for at least that again

Thanks this is very helpful. PDM posts are cresote treated I think. I'd rather concrete alright but I guess they would be more expensive to install. No gates crossing, its a ROW connecting from house to fields along the side of neighbouring farmers land.

I assumed the spacing could be alot more than 6' but that's based on fencing I've seen with only 2electric wires. I suppose with the 4 strands barbed wire the spacing would need to be 6' which explains some of the cost.

I've also learned what a strainer is, not just for cabbage.

This farming business is fierce technical and I haven't started in earnest yet. Great to have this advice, much appreciated for the help all.

Donald Trump

thebigmc wrote: »

No, but I will likely learn if the material only cost is alot less!

Well take care. Most posters on here would have grown up doing those kinds of jobs and we can forget the dangers because we're used to it. We shouldn't assume the average person on the street will know what they are doing.



There is no point putting up barbed wire unless you are going to get it good and tight. But you need to be very careful with it - especially any type of high tensile wire. If it slips before you have it secure, it can do serious damage to you or any bystander

Water John

I think OP, your best bet on this job is, to write the cheque. As Trump said, barbed wire is a hoor.

hopeso

thebigmc wrote: »

Sorry Electric wire is 2 strands on the field side only, corrected my post now.



That would be nicer. Would you expect sheep wire to cost similar? Would it keep cattle from breaking through?

Sheep wire along with 2 strands of electric wire should be more than good enough for cattle, assuming the electric fence is kept maintained. As you say, it will be a nicer job around a house....

50HX

Clipex an option? Electric wire on top and barb underneath

Donald Trump

hopeso wrote: »

Sheep wire along with 2 strands of electric wire should be more than good enough for cattle, assuming the electric fence is kept maintained. As you say, it will be a nicer job around a house....

He could also consider, as someone else said, concrete posts but with chainlink on the inside and a few strands of barbed running on the outside.

Safer for kids etc. as well.



Could also do it with regular posts, but the concrete ones are a one-time job

Bass Reeves

thebigmc wrote: »

Thanks this is very helpful. PDM posts are cresote treated I think. I'd rather concrete alright but I guess they would be more expensive to install. No gates crossing, its a ROW connecting from house to fields along the side of neighbouring farmers land.

I assumed the spacing could be alot more than 6' but that's based on fencing I've seen with only 2electric wires. I suppose with the 4 strands barbed wire the spacing would need to be 6' which explains some of the cost.

I've also learned what a strainer is, not just for cabbage.

This farming business is fierce technical and I haven't started in earnest yet. Great to have this advice, much appreciated for the help all.

Spacing is 4 metres or 13'. Concrete posts will add a lot to the cost and the Labour to put them up will probably make the cost nearer 5k. It's a bit of over kill IMO. You will still need electric to stop cattle with them anyway.

Use offset on the poles to hold the electric wire. These are about a foot long and have a pigtail to carry the wire. You will only need to put them.on every 3rd or 4th pole.

https://www.gallagherfence.net/products/side-mount-pigtail-offset-175mm-7?variant=348982845

It's 9 euro for 5 you will need 20. TBH with barbed wire behind it a single strand of electric with offsets will suffice. All you want is to prevent cattle scratching off the posts

Bass Reeves

Donald Trump wrote: »

He could also consider, as someone else said, concrete posts but with chainlink on the inside and a few strands of barbed running on the outside.

Safer for kids etc. as well.



Could also do it with regular posts, but the concrete ones are a one-time job

Problem with concrete and chain link is posts need to be 10-12 feet apart. They need to be set in 18-20'' holes and bedded in concrete. Every post would be over a tenner I think a d you EOD need strainers every 150 feet. As well most chain line fencing is not set properly onto the high-tensile by contractors it's only tied on.

On OP's job it will cost 4-5k at least. I think 5-6'' cresote posts 6'+ long and 10'' strainers are more than adequate. If you wanted to you can add on a roll of sheep wire.ontonit to make it safe. You can put the barbed on the same side as the electric ( it actually makes it more stockproof as cattle cannot access posts if electric fence is off. Then put your sheepwire on your side of the fence.

Even posts with plenty of presertive in them will last 30 years. There is a post supplier on the far side of Limerick from me near Rathkeale who puts plenty of presertive in the posts nearly as good as any cresote post. Have his number some place.

893bet

I am interested in the limerick post supplier Bass.

Bass Reeves

893bet wrote: »

I am interested in the limerick post supplier Bass.

PM send

Good loser

Would think the price excessive. Ask around for quotes.

I would go for concrete strainer posts at each end with concrete struts. Thats 4 altogether set in concrete at the ends. Strain the barbed wire through the concrete posts with those steel ratchet type strainers - have solid 1" galvanised squares rotated with adjustable spanner (or vise grip).
Then 5 ft (either 4" or 5") creosoted posts every 10 feet. Post driver for 1.5 hours if ground is reasonably soft. 30 x €8 = €240. post driver €80. The wire is tensioned on the concrete strainers so posts are only fixing the spacing between the wires. Strain one strand wire to give the line for the timber posts.
Aren't the rolls of 3" HT barbed wire 220 m long? So 2 of those about €60.
Wheelbarrow gravel and one bag cement (x 2) for strainer and strut each.

A barbed wire fence will be used as a scratcher by cattle and damaged/broken in no time unless protected by electricity.

farawaygrass

The Continental Op wrote: »

So basically the cost is about €10 a meter which seems way too expensive to me?

Done a lot of fencing in ‘18, but with concrete posts, sheep wire and electric wire and it was around €11/m. A lot more work in that than timber though

Bass Reeves

farawaygrass wrote: »

Done a lot of fencing in ‘18, but with concrete posts, sheep wire and electric wire and it was around €11/m. A lot more work in that than timber though

That is a without labour cost??

Omallep2

Bass Reeves wrote: »

PM send

Can you send details this way also please?

farawaygrass

Bass Reeves wrote: »

That is a without labour cost??

Sorry I should I been clearer. That was including labour and concrete posts but not wire, or gates

Reggie.

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Problem with concrete and chain link is posts need to be 10-12 feet apart. They need to be set in 18-20'' holes and bedded in concrete. Every post would be over a tenner I think a d you EOD need strainers every 150 feet. As well most chain line fencing is not set properly onto the high-tensile by contractors it's only tied on.

On OP's job it will cost 4-5k at least. I think 5-6'' cresote posts 6'+ long and 10'' strainers are more than adequate. If you wanted to you can add on a roll of sheep wire.ontonit to make it safe. You can put the barbed on the same side as the electric ( it actually makes it more stockproof as cattle cannot access posts if electric fence is off. Then put your sheepwire on your side of the fence.

Even posts with plenty of presertive in them will last 30 years. There is a post supplier on the far side of Limerick from me near Rathkeale who puts plenty of presertive in the posts nearly as good as any cresote post. Have his number some place.

Would ya not go to the Midlands man

Bass Reeves

Reggie. wrote: »

Would ya not go to the Midlands man

What Midlands man

Limestone Cowboy

Bass Reeves wrote: »

What Midlands man

Agri knives I'd say. Conned a heap of people out of money.

paddysdream

thebigmc wrote: »

Hello wise farmers of boards.ie,

I have gotten a quote of €1150 for fencing, does this seem reasonable for;

120m length
wooden posts,
4 strands of barbed wire and
2 strands of electric wire on field side of the posts.

That is the requirement based on a legal boundary agreement.

Cheers!

3 strainers ,30 stakes ,3 rolls ht barbed and a roll of ht plain.Bucket of staples ,4 eggs and an insulators.
Ballpark 75, 180 , 120 ,50 15 ,20 ,10 .Total of about 470 euro inc. vat for materials. That's assuming its a straight run .
Mornings work for one man outfit so about 200/300 euro .
Thats all inc. vat which you can reclaim .
But the amount of variables are massive .Supply and erect means more money out so price goes up to cover the inevitable wait for payment and the few slow/non payers.
Ground conditions also ie lots of rocks,trees etc means more hardship driving stakes and strainers.
Price looks on the high side of normal but hard to be specific without actually seeing the job and knowing exactly what materials are priced and spec of job .

Got serious hardship a few times where a fence had to go in an exact place and farmer wondering why the strainers wouldn't go down .Granite rockery where you could spend half an hour finding a place to get it into the ground.

Reggie.

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

Agri knives I'd say. Conned a heap of people out of money.

I believe he's seeing plenty of steps over that carry on now

jaymla627

Reggie. wrote: »

I believe he's seeing plenty of steps over that carry on now

What was the “scam”, seen a few posts where stakes where paid for and never received was it along them lines

Reggie.

jaymla627 wrote: »

What was the “scam”, seen a few posts where stakes where paid for and never received was it along them lines

Not sure of a scam but I do know he wouldnt issue vat receipts which made the posts expensive to vat registered farmers

Bass Reeves

Reggie. wrote: »

Not sure of a scam but I do know he wouldnt issue vat receipts which made the posts expensive to vat registered farmers

Cat can be claimed back by both Vat registered and non registered farmers. Vat is usually 21% on posts if you buy them yourself

Donald Trump

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Cat can be claimed back by both Vat registered and non registered farmers. Vat is usually 21% on posts if you buy them yourself

You just have to hit an annual minimum