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Message |
    
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 224
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 10:27 am: | 
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My neighbor is having a fence installed today, which completes three sides of my yard. Now all I have to do is install two gates and my doggie Leo can run free in the back yard!
So here's my dilema. I went over to ask the guy how much it would cost, and he quoted me $800 for the following:
4 pieces of 4' solid cedar fence
2 gates
8 posts
labor, which makes up approx. $500 of the cost
Am I getting hosed or does this price sound right? Will I have a hard time getting any other company to come out for such a small job? Anyone else have expeience with Boundary Fence Co.?
He can have it installed tomorrow if I give him an answer before his guts leave today. My dad claims he can do it with some help from my husband and maybe one other guy - should I go that route? |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7454
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 11:05 am: |
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After doing a little quick math the $300 material cost seems reasonable. I don't know how many men the contractor would use or how long it will take him to do the job, but instant gradification and having you dog happy probably has a price and then again maybe it doesn't. 
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peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 925
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 11:09 am: |
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Is this right --
16 feet of fence, plus 2 gates
all installed in 1 day for $800?
Considering its freezing as* cold outside, that you'd get in done immediately -- its *not* unreasonable.
Realistically, could you go and buy those materials for $300 (delivered, too?). And then, when could hubby and friend get to it? (plus maybe renting a post hole digger, etc.)
I've had good luck a couple of times, when a neighbor was having something done -- to have them come over at the end of the "big" job and do mine. At what I think are bargain prices!
And Leo could be getting his free run of the place the day after tomorrow!
Good luck
Pete |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3806
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 11:13 am: |
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Carpe Diem. This is one thing I've learned. Your dad & one or two other guys could definitely do it cheaper labor-wise, but:
1. There is almost always a difference in the way things look between Pros and DIY.
2. They can usually get materials cheaper
3. Unless your dad/hubby are different from everyone else in the world, they will draw it out to a 2 month process, putting you on the verge of beating one or both of them with a shovel.
4. If you are installing the gate touching your neighbor's new fence, and your DIY crew screws something up, it could mean trouble with the neighbors. Let the Pro be responsible for it.
I've been pricing lots of things lately and $800 is a lot out of your pocket but probably not bad for a guy who is already there & ready to get it done. I agree that getting someone to do a small job is very difficult. |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7455
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 11:18 am: |
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You can also examine his work product without having to leave home. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 226
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 3:37 pm: |
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Thanks for the input folks! Got him down to $700 and signed the contract. Looking forward to letting Leo roam free this weekend! |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 508
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 4:39 pm: |
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ummm... do you need a permit for that? |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 664
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 4:52 pm: |
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...only if one if your neighbors turns you in and complains. |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 184
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 4:52 pm: |
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YES YOU NEED A PERMIT!
OOTS |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3811
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 4:53 pm: |
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Dego isn't putting in a fence. She's installing a gate.  |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 665
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 8:04 pm: |
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I'd say she's simply removing a nonfence. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 227
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 10:33 pm: |
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Oh yes, a permit will be had. Signed the contract for it to be installed AFTER the permit is received of course.
I meant "looking forward to letting Leo roam free" in the dog run, of course. We're expected nice weather this weekend, right folks?
 |
Redheadgirl
Citizen
Username: Redheadgirl
Post Number: 28
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 10:39 am: |
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What kind of crap material are they using that "4 pieces of 4' solid cedar fence, 2 gates and 8 posts" only cost $300??????? Dego, are you comfortable going with this? |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 231
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 12:14 pm: |
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That's actually in line with prices I've seen elsewhere for the materials. It's the labor that I thought was high. That's why I was thinking about buying the materials myself and having my dad do the work. I've also been outside to see the fence that they're installing for my neighbor, and it looks like the quality is fine. |
Redheadgirl
Citizen
Username: Redheadgirl
Post Number: 30
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 3:23 pm: |
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Dego, where were you able to get quotes like that? We checked out the prices at GM fencing and Walpole, and the prices were about 3 to 10 times what you found (especially at Walpole). |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 148
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 6:52 pm: |
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Red: We've used Tom's Fencing here in town. I believe he's in the phone book. Really nice guy, doesn't take forever to come do the job, and his prices were reasonable. I know others who have used him and been happy too. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 60
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 12:09 pm: |
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When getting pricing on fences, we found these three companies very comparably priced, and cheap.
Boundary Fence: 973-345-7667 (went with them - beat everyone's price)
Artistic Fence: 973-779-4540
Wayside Fence: 201-791-7979
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