Replies

1. 
   Mongo | Apr 20, 2003 08:34am | #1

   Do you know your material costs? How tall is the fence? With "2' in the ground" I'd guess 4' tall? Have you even shopped around for panels and posts yet? Why not 8' panels instead of the shorter 6? Eight footers will reduce the number of post holes, poles, bags of concrete, etc, etc. Holes = time = money. Here in Connecticut, holes also equal rocks, and that's even more time and money. Longer panels means fewer holes and increased productivity and profit.

   Basic 8' stockade fence sections can be had for $70 for a 4' tall panel and post, to $100 for a 6' tall panel and post. What's Quikrete? $3 a bag these days? I have no clue on that. Renting a post hole digger depends on local rates.

   With the prices above, for 6' tall sections, you're looking at a minimum of $15 a foot for material costs alone.

   Don't forget gates. Expensive, take longer to hang, etc, etc.

1. 
   Ronbaby | Apr 20, 2003 09:27am | #2

   Hey Mongo...thanks for your reply. I'm here in Virginia. No..I haven't priced materials yet for this job. I just got the call tonight (Saturday). Ill price the materials tomorrow. Shes wants a 8' high stockade fence. 10' posts then 2' in concrete. 2 3' gates and a larger gate to get a boat through. The grounds soft...I'm building a deck now and augered 16 holes for footings for that and its was pretty easy. Ill get a material price tomorrow, but was just wondering if anyone here has done this type of fence and could give some $$$ ideas. Thanks

1. 
   MarkH128 | Apr 20, 2003 05:47pm | #3

   2' in the ground is not deep enough for 8" tall fence, especially in soft ground. That fence will blow down or lean over before a year is up. 

1. 
   Ronbaby | Apr 20, 2003 05:54pm | #4

   even in concrete?

1. 
   Mongo | Apr 20, 2003 07:25pm | #5

   In may area, 8' high stockade is about $120 for the fence sections and $45-$55 for the posts. You're almost at $25 a foot on materials alone when you include the auger rental.

   I do think a 2' hole is inadequate for an 8' tall stockade fence, even with concrete. You can get one heckuva wind load on a solid panel like that and it can lever the posts right out of the ground. I'd be in the 36-42" deep range using 12' posts.

   If you're unsure of your speed in installing the fence, you may want to bid on a time and materials basis.

2. 
   MarkH128 | Apr 20, 2003 07:54pm | #6

   Yes, 2' is inadequate. Also frost can heave posts and the concrete will give additional purchase for the frost to work against. The depth needed is according to wind load and frost depth, and soil conditions. Usually 1/3 of the post should be burried, so you may want closer to 3' depth.

   Another thing is the panels are usually 8' wide x 6' tall. In that case 2' is OK unless the frost goes deeper than 2'.