Why are fences so expensive?????

[Anonymous]

Go with a small business and you will pay less. It is sad but true that labor costs will be less.

But I encourage you to spend some time watching them install. It is hard labor and you are paying for the expertise on how to build the damn thing and the convenience of not having to put in the back-breaking labor yourself. And the results - sturdy, lovely, and private - are worth the cost.

We had our fence done through Carter Fence in VA. Our crew built the whole thing from lumber and materials in one day. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have 1/2 an acre of backyard to fence in. Estimates have been in the range of 18,000-25,000. And this is for the cheapest fence--pressure treated wood. Has anyone found a company that is more reasonable or is this what we have to pay? We really want a fence but this is so expensive.

that is very high. Does it go down a step hill and lots of roots? or something? The fence you showed is an expensive kind of fence -- wrought iron. Expensive. But it is expensive in general. like 1/6 acre = $6000 for a privacy fence. Yes, expensive in general here in the DC area.

[Anonymous]

We had a terrible experience with Accokeek Fence just FWIW. They gave us a slightly lower price than Long, and we got a shabby-looking uneven fence. Would give anything to make that decision all over again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DIY. Putting fence posts in isn't hard. DH did our 1/4 backyard for about $2,000 of materials, nice cedar with pressure treated posts.

OP here. I don't think my husband would be able to install 1/2 an acre of fence. He doesn't have the time, building knowledge, or the energy.

The reason we need the fence is because we have twin toddlers, and the HOA put in a pond right next to our house after we moved in (we've lived in the house for 7 years, pond was put in 4 years ago). We did not want this pond but everyone else did. It's a SFH and we don't feel it's safe for our toddlers to be playing in the backyard (supervised of course) with an open pond 20 feet away. Swimming pools require fences but ponds don't seem to, but are equally dangerous.

We want a 6 foot privacy fence, we are fine with pressure treated wood (we will paint it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DIY. Putting fence posts in isn't hard. DH did our 1/4 backyard for about $2,000 of materials, nice cedar with pressure treated posts.

OP here. I don't think my husband would be able to install 1/2 an acre of fence. He doesn't have the time, building knowledge, or the energy.

The reason we need the fence is because we have twin toddlers, and the HOA put in a pond right next to our house after we moved in (we've lived in the house for 7 years, pond was put in 4 years ago). We did not want this pond but everyone else did. It's a SFH and we don't feel it's safe for our toddlers to be playing in the backyard (supervised of course) with an open pond 20 feet away. Swimming pools require fences but ponds don't seem to, but are equally dangerous.

We want a 6 foot privacy fence, we are fine with pressure treated wood (we will paint it).

If the HOA put in a common hazard next to your home you may have a basis for them to pay for at least part of the fence. Reason #1,789,456 to never live anywhere with an HOA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DIY. Putting fence posts in isn't hard. DH did our 1/4 backyard for about $2,000 of materials, nice cedar with pressure treated posts.

OP here. I don't think my husband would be able to install 1/2 an acre of fence. He doesn't have the time, building knowledge, or the energy.

The reason we need the fence is because we have twin toddlers, and the HOA put in a pond right next to our house after we moved in (we've lived in the house for 7 years, pond was put in 4 years ago). We did not want this pond but everyone else did. It's a SFH and we don't feel it's safe for our toddlers to be playing in the backyard (supervised of course) with an open pond 20 feet away. Swimming pools require fences but ponds don't seem to, but are equally dangerous.

We want a 6 foot privacy fence, we are fine with pressure treated wood (we will paint it).

If the price is high, just put in a shorter fence, five feet still gets plenty of privacy.

[Anonymous]

Can you have a privacy fence with an HOA? Ours is very strict on the types of fences allowed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DIY. Putting fence posts in isn't hard. DH did our 1/4 backyard for about $2,000 of materials, nice cedar with pressure treated posts.

OP here. I don't think my husband would be able to install 1/2 an acre of fence. He doesn't have the time, building knowledge, or the energy.

The reason we need the fence is because we have twin toddlers, and the HOA put in a pond right next to our house after we moved in (we've lived in the house for 7 years, pond was put in 4 years ago). We did not want this pond but everyone else did. It's a SFH and we don't feel it's safe for our toddlers to be playing in the backyard (supervised of course) with an open pond 20 feet away. Swimming pools require fences but ponds don't seem to, but are equally dangerous.

We want a 6 foot privacy fence, we are fine with pressure treated wood (we will paint it).

If the HOA put in a common hazard next to your home you may have a basis for them to pay for at least part of the fence. Reason #1,789,456 to never live anywhere with an HOA.

OP here. You make a good point. I never thought of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DIY. Putting fence posts in isn't hard. DH did our 1/4 backyard for about $2,000 of materials, nice cedar with pressure treated posts.

OP here. I don't think my husband would be able to install 1/2 an acre of fence. He doesn't have the time, building knowledge, or the energy.

The reason we need the fence is because we have twin toddlers, and the HOA put in a pond right next to our house after we moved in (we've lived in the house for 7 years, pond was put in 4 years ago). We did not want this pond but everyone else did. It's a SFH and we don't feel it's safe for our toddlers to be playing in the backyard (supervised of course) with an open pond 20 feet away. Swimming pools require fences but ponds don't seem to, but are equally dangerous.

We want a 6 foot privacy fence, we are fine with pressure treated wood (we will paint it).

If the HOA put in a common hazard next to your home you may have a basis for them to pay for at least part of the fence. Reason #1,789,456 to never live anywhere with an HOA.

OP here. You make a good point. I never thought of that.

OP how dare you omit these details.

Unless, its in HOA charter then you should not be responsible for all the fence cost.

[Anonymous]

All labor is expensive around here. Why? Because there is so much work available that if you deny their estimate and don't sign a contract, the next person waiting for an estimate will. So many people with money around here that enough people pay the high prices.

Your only shot at getting a lower price is to get an estimate over the off-season. But right now? Forget it. They have more work than they know what to do with.

[Anonymous]

Avoid Long Fence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All labor is expensive around here. Why? Because there is so much work available that if you deny their estimate and don't sign a contract, the next person waiting for an estimate will. So many people with money around here that enough people pay the high prices.

Your only shot at getting a lower price is to get an estimate over the off-season. But right now? Forget it. They have more work than they know what to do with.

+1, Exactly everyone wants their outdoor to look tip top or the honey do list has no excuse but to get done in Spring before Summer Vacations,etc.
This area sucks in terms of home repair/improvement pricing.

You might want to get an estimate from a Maryland Contractor who might need the work. Think about an area like Charles County or St. Mary's County where Contractors might need the work. I have gotten some amazing quotes from Handymen but havent pulled the trigger due to knowing that if I have an issue down the road, I will be SOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DIY. Putting fence posts in isn't hard. DH did our 1/4 backyard for about $2,000 of materials, nice cedar with pressure treated posts.

OP here. I don't think my husband would be able to install 1/2 an acre of fence. He doesn't have the time, building knowledge, or the energy.

The reason we need the fence is because we have twin toddlers, and the HOA put in a pond right next to our house after we moved in (we've lived in the house for 7 years, pond was put in 4 years ago). We did not want this pond but everyone else did. It's a SFH and we don't feel it's safe for our toddlers to be playing in the backyard (supervised of course) with an open pond 20 feet away. Swimming pools require fences but ponds don't seem to, but are equally dangerous.

We want a 6 foot privacy fence, we are fine with pressure treated wood (we will paint it).

If the HOA put in a common hazard next to your home you may have a basis for them to pay for at least part of the fence. Reason #1,789,456 to never live anywhere with an HOA.

It could have been worse. OP could have moved in next to someone who *thinks they* are the HOA, a la George Zimmerman - which is never a good thing.

OP, could you fence part of your yard, or appeal to the HOA to contribute at least part of the expense? Could you appeal *above* the HOA?