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Feb 12th, 2024
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 DIY High Fence
#7226897
07/17/18 01:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
I searched to see if this topic had been discussed previously, but couldn't find anything.
I've been getting quotes for 8' High Fence construction and I am now considering buying the equipment to do it myself. Has anyone gone through this mental turmoil and pulled the trigger and installed the fence themselves? I currently have none of the equipment, or experience, but at $5/ft (give or take $.50 for each bid) I'm wondering if it's worth it to me to buy the equipment and materials and do it myself. I'm in no rush to complete the job, and at the end I'll have the equipment as well as the fence...and hopefully some leftover $ in the bank account. Wondering if anyone that has done it, and after buying the equipment and spending the time, was it worth it? I have roughly 6 miles of fence to put up.
Any thoughts or comments from anyone would be welcome.... thanks
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7226989
07/17/18 02:46 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,534
rickym
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,534 |
Have you looked into prices with you buying the materials yourself and having a company build it?
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7226999
07/17/18 02:55 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,535
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,535 |
If you have the time and ability i'd say get after it.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: rickym]
#7227141
07/17/18 05:24 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
i have not looked into buying materials and subbing out the labor....
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: redchevy]
#7227143
07/17/18 05:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
If you have the time and ability i'd say get after it. Any advice on the equipment i would need? Assume the big ticket item(s) are Skidsteer (Bobcat), post hole auger (with rock bit), Welder.... anything else?
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7227348
07/17/18 08:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
snake oil
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759 |
"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7227417
07/17/18 09:32 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,016
SingleShot85
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,016 |
I searched to see if this topic had been discussed previously, but couldn't find anything.
I've been getting quotes for 8' High Fence construction and I am now considering buying the equipment to do it myself. Has anyone gone through this mental turmoil and pulled the trigger and installed the fence themselves? I currently have none of the equipment, or experience, but at $5/ft (give or take $.50 for each bid) I'm wondering if it's worth it to me to buy the equipment and materials and do it myself. I'm in no rush to complete the job, and at the end I'll have the equipment as well as the fence...and hopefully some leftover $ in the bank account. Wondering if anyone that has done it, and after buying the equipment and spending the time, was it worth it? I have roughly 6 miles of fence to put up.
Any thoughts or comments from anyone would be welcome.... thanks before answering your question where is the ranch
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7227432
07/17/18 09:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
Southern Menard County off Hwy 83
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7227489
07/17/18 10:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,861
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,861 |
$5/foot for 8' fence sounds way to cheap!!! if that includes materials & labor, I would have them get after it!
my next door neighbor is putting in a new fence and the quotes they got were $6.75/foot materials & labor PLUS $3.50 to $7.00/foot for clearing. This is a standard net wire (not high fence) to keep goats in...
something along the lines of a skid steer or tractor running Belltec for setting pipe posts, tension braces and corners, t-post driver system for skid steer/tractor bucket (if ground soft enough) or air operated if harder ground (will need to rent a good air compressor), gas operated welder, several dozen good pair of heavy leather gloves, wire tensioner, good fencing pliers ...
Last edited by PMK; 07/17/18 10:59 PM.
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7227664
07/18/18 01:21 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
..."several dozen good pair of heavy leather gloves"
Ha, yep.
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7228063
07/18/18 12:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
I have lot's of rock/caleche to work through. Any experience with certain brands of t-post driver/pounder? And pipe post driver/pounders?
Given i have quite a bit of rock, I assume I need to drill holes for my posts? Any preferences using cement vs pre-drill and pound posts?
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7228201
07/18/18 03:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,861
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,861 |
if you plan on hand driving the posts, the heavier the driver the better!!! Since you have so many miles of fence to build, I would strongly advise renting or buying an air or gas driven post driver!!! Or better yet, get one operated off a tractor or skid steer.
I have solid limestone and when we had our fence built, a guy came in with a tractor and Belltec, drilled the holes for the pipe that was a snug fit into the hole that only required a small dab of concrete to secure. Caliche might require a bit bigger hole and concrete as you will likely get some stuff fall back in the hole leaving a loose fit.
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: PMK]
#7228245
07/18/18 03:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
if you plan on hand driving the posts, the heavier the driver the better!!! Since you have so many miles of fence to build, I would strongly advise renting or buying an air or gas driven post driver!!! Or better yet, get one operated off a tractor or skid steer.
I have solid limestone and when we had our fence built, a guy came in with a tractor and Belltec, drilled the holes for the pipe that was a snug fit into the hole that only required a small dab of concrete to secure. Caliche might require a bit bigger hole and concrete as you will likely get some stuff fall back in the hole leaving a loose fit. Thanks, with so many pipes and t-posts to put in, I'll likely use a skid steer for both. Likely faster, easier, and 'safer'.
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7228880
07/19/18 12:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,717
Lazyman
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,717 |
Check the maximum height of the skid steer drivers before buying anything...Google King Hitter driver for a tractor....This is what most guys around here use but we only have spots of rock not solid...
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7228900
07/19/18 01:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,483
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,483 |
Have you thought about just buying a deer, putting it in a dog kennel and shooting it? Just kidding, calm down everyone! 
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7228909
07/19/18 01:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Go watch a fence builder build fence your area with in the same type soils you have. You might rethink about paying someone to build it after watching what they do and how much money is tied up their equipment. How many fence builders have you gotten bids from? Was the prices quoted including clearing the fencelines, materials, labor, gates and water gaps?
T-post do not drive very well in rocky or solid caliche soils. They tend to bend into a "U" shape quickly. You can rent a skidsteer, Belltech, compressor and post drivers instead of buying them.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people? ![[Linked Image]](http://neoswarm.com/images/Bug_Crawling.gif)
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7228914
07/19/18 01:37 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,038
jetdad
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,038 |
How many feet/miles of fence are you running?
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: jetdad]
#7228920
07/19/18 01:47 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
I searched to see if this topic had been discussed previously, but couldn't find anything.
I've been getting quotes for 8' High Fence construction and I am now considering buying the equipment to do it myself. Has anyone gone through this mental turmoil and pulled the trigger and installed the fence themselves? I currently have none of the equipment, or experience, but at $5/ft (give or take $.50 for each bid) I'm wondering if it's worth it to me to buy the equipment and materials and do it myself. I'm in no rush to complete the job, and at the end I'll have the equipment as well as the fence...and hopefully some leftover $ in the bank account. Wondering if anyone that has done it, and after buying the equipment and spending the time, was it worth it? I have roughly 6 miles of fence to put up.
Any thoughts or comments from anyone would be welcome.... thanks How many feet/miles of fence are you running?
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7228947
07/19/18 02:04 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,038
jetdad
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,038 |
OK, I'll go back to my corner.
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Lazyman]
#7229187
07/19/18 11:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
Check the maximum height of the skid steer drivers before buying anything...Google King Hitter driver for a tractor....This is what most guys around here use but we only have spots of rock not solid... Will do. Thanks for the pointer to King Hitter.
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7229413
07/19/18 03:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 340
texas wetlands
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 340 |
Woj.... Not debating the price above but at $5.00 a foot I would drive by the contractor with a cup of coffee in hand and ask how much longer are you going to be here? I priced a high fence many years ago and my price was quiet a bit higher and it was all dirt. Good luck and keep in mind 30,000 feet is a long ways and a lot of time.
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: texas wetlands]
#7229565
07/19/18 05:16 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,265
maximus_flavius
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,265 |
Woj.... Not debating the price above but at $5.00 a foot I would drive by the contractor with a cup of coffee in hand and ask how much longer are you going to be here? I priced a high fence many years ago and my price was quiet a bit higher and it was all dirt. Good luck and keep in mind 30,000 feet is a long ways and a lot of time. This exactly. You could easily end up spending more by doin it yourself.
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: maximus_flavius]
#7229639
07/19/18 06:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
Woj.... Not debating the price above but at $5.00 a foot I would drive by the contractor with a cup of coffee in hand and ask how much longer are you going to be here? I priced a high fence many years ago and my price was quiet a bit higher and it was all dirt. Good luck and keep in mind 30,000 feet is a long ways and a lot of time. This exactly. You could easily end up spending more by doin it yourself. No clearing needed.... The time commitment I understand, but more than $150k in materials and equipment?
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: Woj]
#7229832
07/19/18 09:02 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,265
maximus_flavius
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,265 |
Woj.... Not debating the price above but at $5.00 a foot I would drive by the contractor with a cup of coffee in hand and ask how much longer are you going to be here? I priced a high fence many years ago and my price was quiet a bit higher and it was all dirt. Good luck and keep in mind 30,000 feet is a long ways and a lot of time. This exactly. You could easily end up spending more by doin it yourself. No clearing needed.... The time commitment I understand, but more than $150k in materials and equipment? In particular, in renting equipment, breaking stuff & havin to take it back to town, etc. & rentals continue even if it’s raining also. How long do you plan on keepin all this equipment rented? Cause that adds up fast also. You layin a welder or rent it 1 also? How much fence building experience do you have? & How clearer are we talking? Your gonna want a hugely wide ROW. Also, many fencers even want a roadgrader to smooth up the ROW. If it takes you 9 months & you save $10,000, is it worth it to you?
Last edited by maximus_flavius; 07/19/18 09:03 PM.
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Re: DIY High Fence
[Re: maximus_flavius]
#7229848
07/19/18 09:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424
Woj
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 424 |
Woj.... Not debating the price above but at $5.00 a foot I would drive by the contractor with a cup of coffee in hand and ask how much longer are you going to be here? I priced a high fence many years ago and my price was quiet a bit higher and it was all dirt. Good luck and keep in mind 30,000 feet is a long ways and a lot of time. This exactly. You could easily end up spending more by doin it yourself. No clearing needed.... The time commitment I understand, but more than $150k in materials and equipment? In particular, in renting equipment, breaking stuff & havin to take it back to town, etc. & rentals continue even if it’s raining also. How long do you plan on keepin all this equipment rented? Cause that adds up fast also. You layin a welder or rent it 1 also? How much fence building experience do you have? & How clearer are we talking? Your gonna want a hugely wide ROW. Also, many fencers even want a roadgrader to smooth up the ROW. If it takes you 9 months & you save $10,000, is it worth it to you? Yep. Understand. And thanks to everyone for their input. All these pro's and con's are what I'm mentally struggling with. I sincerely appreciate all the advice.
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