I just got a quote to replace all the boards on my fence for 24k. It’s about 10 acres total or 2097 feet. That seems a bit pricey to me? But then again, I know lumber is expensive. They want to use hemlock to replace the boards. Thoughts?
I would imagine prices vary regionally. I had a quote a few weeks ago for 3 board fence (plus replacing some posts) on just about 2 acres for 31k in Wisconsin. That, I felt, was a little unreasonable. 
We had 2100 ft of fence put up several years ago, 3 rail pressure treated pine plus posts, was $10,000; so your quote is probably a reasonable price given the cost of things today. Call around and get other quotes if you can. Here is a thread about Hemlock posts/rails: HEMLOCK boards vs. pressure treated boards for slip rail fencing. Thoughts? - Around The Farm - Chronicle Forums (chronofhorse.com)
I was quoted 30k for 5 acres using posts, wire, and wood top rail.
So I would price out the wood cost and figure what he’s charging for labor and see if you think it’s worth it.
So they first have to pull all the old boards off, pull any nails that didn’t come out of the posts, dispose of the old boards safely, then measure and cut boards to fit posts somebody else installed, which may or may not be straight. They may discover some posts need to be replaced as well (are they concreted in?).
Yes, lumber is expensive now, but there’s a lot of labor in that quote, plus the overhead that you wouldn’t have for a DIY job, insurance etc.
2 Likes
Thank you. Yes, i know it’s a lot of labor involved but has no idea that lumber is that expensive. It’s almost 3x the price I originally paid 10 years ago.
This quote is from a local fence guy but I might see if I can get a quote from the Amish. I’m located in southeastern PA.
Are your posts solid? There are a number of sawmills in the area that produce fantastic oak. My fencing is non-climb wire around the perimeter, with an oak board on top (5/4 by 5" by 8"). My cross fencing is four board oak on 6 by 6 PT posts. I would think that you could get some fence boards and have someone install them.
Just my .02 YMMV
Another option to lower your costs is to ask for 14’ boards instead of 16’. You will have to buy a few more posts and dig a few more holes, but sometimes the 14s will be so much cheaper the project cost will be less. And a fence on 7’ centers will be stronger than one on 8’ centers.
Always get several bids. For various reasons, it may cost one company more to do your job whereas another can do your job for less.
1 Like
My thought is, with the crazy price of lumber right now that this price does not seem unreasonable for that amount of work.
That price, using your number is $11.44/ft.
I am assuming your 2097 feet number is linear feet of fence not board feet so that number will be multiplied by the number of boards, correct?
If it is three board fencing that is $3.81/board, installed.
I do not know anywhere that I can buy the boards for that price, let alone have them installed for that price.
2 Likes
For reference, I was recently quoted $46K for 3005 linear ft of all new larch wood 4-board with 6 inch round posts, so about $15.30 per linear foot. This is in way upstate NY from an Amish crew.
1 Like
Just a point about the calculations, it wouldn’t be $3.81/board, it’s $3.81/FOOT so an 8’ board would be $30.48 installed.
1 Like
I am looking to replace electric fencing with the Centaur poly coated wire…5 strands…1.5 acres…$11k…that’s labor, material and travel (2.5 hours from company headquarters to my farm)
Thank you for clarifying.
I should have said then it would be $3.81/board/ft if there are three boards.
1 Like
No matter what type of fence you are putting up these days , it is insanely expensive. That price doesn’t surprise me at all.
and a fence really is a true sunk cost investment
from the good old management handbook
A sunk cost refers to money that has been spent and cannot be recovered.
1 Like
I did get a second price and wow! 8k for the job. That’s a huge difference! Same thing, hemlock boards. The other quote must be bloated with labor.
1 Like
8K seems crazy cheap for that much fencing. Are you sure it includes all the same things?
I deal with low bid contractors for my job and that price would scare me as being a change order waiting to happen.
Just over 2000 feet perimeter, 3 board, 1 by 6, rough cut hemlock.
It’s an Amish company.
