How Much Does a Fence Cost? Budgeting for Your Fence to Avoid Your Own Personal Fiscal Cliff.

There's been a lot of talk about fiscal cliffs and budgeting lately; at least on a national level.  So to get into the spirit, we thought we would provide a few helpful numbers to help you budget for your fence project. 

So What Does a Fence Cost Anyway?

The estimates below are based on an average 200 linear foot residential fence - 6' tall with 2  pedestrian gates. 

	Treated Pine (Privacy)	Vinyl (Privacy)	Aluminum (Ornamental)
Fence Materials	$2500	$3500	$4000
Concrete	$150	$150	$150

As you can see from the table, the type of fence you choose makes a big difference in the overall cost, with aluminum coming in at roughly 60% more than wood (long term maintenance costs not withstanding) and vinyl in the middle. 

The second cost factor to consider is whether to build the fence yourself or hire a fence contractor.  If you have the time and are moderately handy, you can save a significant amount of money by going the DIY route, particularly if you already have the tools.  At a minimum you'll need either an augur (which can be rented) or a post hole digger, circular saw, hammer, drill, level, measuring tape, string, and wheelbarrow.

On the other hand, if you decide to hire a fence contractor or handyman keep in mind that labor rates vary greatly from depending on which part of the country you live, the terrain and soil type, and the skill level of the installation crew.  So, the estimate below may not reflect what you would actually pay for your fence installation. 

DIY Costs vs. Hiring a Contractor
DIY Equipment	$100-$500
Labor	$1000-$2000

Also note that, just like any other home improvement project, there can be additional costs if/when the unexpected happens.  For example, if you thought that your soil was smooth and sandy, and then you hit a large boulder when you go to dig your post holes.  Or, as happened to one customer, your utilities provider mis-marks your line and you end up hitting it with the augur, cutting out phone service for half the neighborhood.  The point is, you never know what could happen, so budget a little more (10-20%) than you think necessary.  If you don't end up using it, then you can always put it toward a nice vacation.

Hiring a Fence Contractor. Tips to Protect Yourself from Scammers.

It's inevitable.  Every time there's a slowdown in the economy, or a natural disaster, the number of people looking to take advantage of others seems to increase exponentially.  Lately, we've been reading a lot of stories about criminals posing as legitimate contractors, taking payment for fence installations, and then never showing up to do the work.  The vast majority of contractors are honest, hard working people just trying to make a living; but, just like in any industry, a few bad seeds make life harder for the rest.

Photo from istockphoto.com.

That's why its so important to know who you're hiring and to take steps, like the following, to minimize your risk. 

1. Ask for proof of insurace - Liability and workers comp. insurance are required for any above-board contracting company.  If the contractor doesn't have workers comp insurance, you could be liable for any injuries that happen to them or their crew.
2. Never pay in full up front.  In fact, if you're contractor suggests this...Run!  But, it is common for contractors to ask for half up front and the remainder on completion.  They do this because the materials are usually half the cost of installation and they figure that if you stiff them, at least they can cover that expense.  Depending on the contractor, you may be able to negotiate that down to 1/4 up front.  Remember, the less you pay at the beginning, the less risk is involved for you.  However, don't pass on a well respected contractor just because they ask for half up front. 
3. The best way to find a great fence installer, or any contractor for that matter, is to get a referral from friends and family, or find them through an online review site like angieslist.com or localpages.com.  Often the best contractors don't have big sales teams or spend thousands on flashy advertisements;  they know their work speaks for itself and a steady flow of referral traffic keeps them busy. 
4. Buy your materials separately.  If your contractor is demanding half up front, order your materials online and have them delivered to your home, so that you are only handing over half of the labor costs.  But be careful, some contractors won't install materials that you haven't purchased directly from them.
5. Don't automatically choose the least expensive estimate.  Grandma always said that "you get what you pay for".  Often, the contractors that give the lowest estimates are able to do so for a reason.  Either they are using inferior materials, cutting corners in the installation, or lack experience and are trying to build a reputation.  Every once in a while, you get lucky and find a great contractor at the best price.  Just make sure that you've done your homework first.