Fencing... the big question~!

[Mike Novice]

Hello all!

Hope all is well and ssome are able to help me... Question re: a large fencing job at the front of our place.

We are going to get about 20m of fence, picketed at 1.8 at the front of our house... it has a recess for the gate on the corner, gate and letterbox etc. Now. I had one quote from a bloke who really loved his fences and helped me out. Hard wood pickets, pine posts and plynths, he quoted $5,000. (Also filled and primed). He spent about 2 hours with me and really helped me out.. as I'm not much of a fencer... gave me a fully explained quote sheet with diagram and pics, prices and measurements costs etc.

I got another quote by some bloke who measured from one end to the other and said $3k. Straight out. Not sure what that entails, but seems pretty straight forward. Antoher bloke took two weeks and quoted $6k for pine all over.

Then theres my old man, a construction foreman (unfortunately in anther state) who is aghast I'm not doing it DIY. I like making the odd coffee table or handy job, but as Clint Eastwood said "A man's got to know his limitations".

What do y'all think?

Go with the bloke who know's but is expensive? Just get a fence put up for half that?

HELP!

Mike (and SWMBO)

[Clinton1]

If you send the 1st blokes materials list to Australian Treated Pine http://www.atpine.com.au/home.htm and get a cost on their timber and gate materials, screws and fittings. Then cost the sand/gravel cement and paint. You'll be suprised at the cost, even in all TP. Letterbox - up to $120.

I'd say the bloke with the quote for 3K might suprise you as well, there are some rough and bodgy operators out there - and you didn't say if he'll be cutting the notches for the rails with a chainsaw and leaving it all unpainted. You do get what you pay for.

I'd think about the 1st blokes quote, check the prices (remember he will probably get a discount with his supplier) and consider the labour component. Will he negotiate down a bit? From the time he has spent with you it sounds like he might "live and breath" fences. They are the ones to get. Check his prices though.

Or do it yourself - and enter the great unknown!
Whats your old man doing over XMas, New Years??

[Pulse]

Sounds like you have a few projects there Mike, how about helping the first guy with the job? Dig the holes or nail the palings or paint it or prime it, I agree with Clinton, he sounds like he'll do a good job and probably won't object to some help in exchange for a cut on the quote.

Cheers
Pulse

[echnidna]

go and have a look at some of the fences they have built

[Mike Novice]

Hi Clinton,

Ahhh... the dream of shipping the old man over... good for a laugh aswell! He wouldn't go for it, and I've asked. He told me he'd rather go fishing (Mandurah, WA). Fair enough.

I like your comment about the living and breathing... he was pretty fair dinkum about his fencing! The other aspect that I'm starting to appreciate more and mpore, is that I'm fed up with cheap s***. I'd rather do it with quality and care, than a crappy 'leaning fence of Coburg'. I will check the prices though, as I got a grouse website from another helpful soul.

And as you said.. .there's always the great unknown. Everytime I think of doing it myself, I think about trying to replace the fly screen on my back door. 2 rectangular holes, 1m x .3, the classic type. I got some screen, some bevelled stripping, some little nails and... completely made a meal of it... 3 days and 2 trips to bunnings later... to this day I still shudder when I think of it! My girl thought it hilarious. I recounted this to the old man in my defence.

Tax time...

[Mike Novice]

Hiya Bob,

He actually had a huge scrap book with him, and wasn't shy either! the other thing is he has an offsider that probably does the back work (and I work too much already)! Also, to fill and prime is only $250, which I think is a bargain.

Cheers,

Mike