Fencing Prices (coupon, HOA, movers)

[Raiderstudent]

My wife and I recently got an Australian Shepherd. He is a wonderful dog, but is EXTREMELY energetic. We have been looking at getting a fence, but our neighborhood requires a black aluminum metal fence to go with their HOA guidelines. We're fine with this because it looks nice, but want to make sure we aren't paying too much.

The size of the fence is 54 inches tall and 233 linear feet and we're looking at one six foot gate. I've been quoted by several small companies anywhere from $4700 to $5100. Lowe's came out and quoted me $5100, but we have a movers 10% off coupon that brings it down to $4900 (discount can't be applied to labor). Also, I looked at installing it myself, but after materials and tax (you get charged tax to buy the materials yourself, but having it installed is completely tax free), the difference was only $1000 and was not worth my busy time. I'm feeling like we're going to go with Lowes since it's around the lowest price we had and we have the backing of a big company with a lifetime warranty, but before I officially pull the trigger I wanted to know if anyone else knew of a much cheaper price we could get one? I appreciate any advice! This is not a cheap investment!

[septimus]

That's about what I paid for my black aluminum fence. I can't remember how many feet. I got 3 quotes and they all came within a few hundered of each other.

A couple suggestions, walk around your neighborhood and see whose fences still look good after a couple years. Our fence installer was SLOW but who am I to talk, I'm not the one digging holes in red clay in 95 degree temps :-). However, they were meticulous in making sure everything was level, etc. I'd also spring for self closing gates. You don't want to lose your dog if the lawn guy accidently leaves the gate open. Lastly, this is personal preferences, but I think the gates look nicer if you spring for the rounded arch topped gate vs the flat top.

[Raiderstudent]

Originally Posted by septimus

That's about what I paid for my black aluminum fence. I can't remember how many feet. I got 3 quotes and they all came within a few hundered of each other.

A couple suggestions, walk around your neighborhood and see whose fences still look good after a couple years. Our fence installer was SLOW but who am I to talk, I'm not the one digging holes in red clay in 95 degree temps :-). However, they were meticulous in making sure everything was level, etc. I'd also spring for self closing gates. You don't want to lose your dog if the lawn guy accidently leaves the gate open. Lastly, this is personal preferences, but I think the gates look nicer if you spring for the rounded arch topped gate vs the flat top.

I appreciate the tips. It's a little comforting to know that I'm not getting charged way too much. For some reason, I had it in my head that I was going to be able to find an installation in the $3500 range. I guess that might have been the case years ago. The fences in the neighborhood all look great to me when I go running. I'm assuming as long as you don't hit them with your weed-eater they sort of take care of themselves? The gate we are being offered from Lowe's is two 4 foot gates that will open french door style. I think it looks neat, but they aren't self closing unfortunately. I'll ask about that.

[septimus]

Originally Posted by Raiderstudent

I appreciate the tips. It's a little comforting to know that I'm not getting charged way too much. For some reason, I had it in my head that I was going to be able to find an installation in the $3500 range. I guess that might have been the case years ago. The fences in the neighborhood all look great to me when I go running. I'm assuming as long as you don't hit them with your weed-eater they sort of take care of themselves? The gate we are being offered from Lowe's is two 4 foot gates that will open french door style. I think it looks neat, but they aren't self closing unfortunately. I'll ask about that.

It isn't something I thought about but the guy I liked the best (middle priced of the three--and the one I hired) asked if we had a lawn guy. I said yes and he said I needed a gate X wide. I have 2 gates. One seems normal sized but the other is wide enough to get a professional mower through. (maybe 4').

[ExIslander]

We had ours done by the Home Depot guys, and no complaints. My only caution -- make sure you know if your quoted price is firm or if there's a so-called "tough dig" surcharge that might be tacked on. As in, does it cost extra if they have to jackhammer through rock before they can set a post deep enough? Much of Middle Tennessee is a few inches of soil and clay on top of solid rock, so we ended up with the surcharge for every single post! But our rep was up front about the charge and the likelihood of it occurring, so we were able to factor it into the cost before signing the papers.

[Raiderstudent]

Originally Posted by ExIslander

We had ours done by the Home Depot guys, and no complaints. My only caution -- make sure you know if your quoted price is firm or if there's a so-called "tough dig" surcharge that might be tacked on. As in, does it cost extra if they have to jackhammer through rock before they can set a post deep enough? Much of Middle Tennessee is a few inches of soil and clay on top of solid rock, so we ended up with the surcharge for every single post! But our rep was up front about the charge and the likelihood of it occurring, so we were able to factor it into the cost before signing the papers.

They were trying to charge us $500 for the rock in our yard, but I was backing away and they said they wouldn't charge if that would be a deal breaker. So it looks like my end price will be $4900.