Split-Rail Fence

[brittgers]

Not sure if this is being posted in the correct area, but I thought some of you toolcaters could help me out on this one...

I need to submit a bid on installing approx 800ft of a double split rail fence. The materials will be supplied, I just need a bid for the labor. We have a Bobcat 873 with post hole digger (3 different sizes of augers) that we will use for the holes and its is mostly sandy with some small rock. Ive done some checking and the materials will be approx $3,000.00 so I am guessing about the same for labor?

Thanks for any input anyone has and tips on installing a fence like this. Ive done very small sections of split rail, never large runs like this.

 

[6or7dazeaweek]

Brittgers: This might be the blind leading the blind so to speak. I've only done small sections of fencing such as yourself.

With the info you've given (800 ft) you'll need to dig 80 post holes. Should it all be in a straight line, you could rig a small laser level to aid in the setting of the poles....otherwise a taught masons line if the distance isn't to great. I'm assuming your rails are 12' long and the posts set every 10'

I guess you really need to look at the job and figure out if there's any areas where you may get into trouble. Water lines, underground utilities, septic etc etc....anything that could cause to you to say oh oh! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Do you have to remove any trees in order to do the job or is it pretty well open area? All of these things can add to your labor cost.

Let's see some photos of the job. I just love split rail fencing.

Jon

 

[BrianSouthernMD]

brittgers,
You're getting some ideas, but you might want to do a complete search of all TBN postings to find previous split rail or fence discussions. Note "Search Forums" in the header only goes back for a brief period. But if you click on "Search" further down, specify broad parameters (all forums plus AND or OR, rather than ENTIRE PHRASE) and search all posts since TBN began, you'll find more info.

One old thread is Setting cedar split rail fence posts where they explored materials and methods, and there are more.

I plan to use my Toolcat to construct split rail and/or other fences in coming years, and will be interested to see how you do with the Bobcat augers on the SSL. But if you buy a Toolcat (in time for this job) you can use augers on its front lift arm to dig holes, have fence posts in the dump bed, use 4-wheel steering to easily position bed next to holes while minimizing turf damage, and then hydraulically lift the dump bed to place the posts right in the holes! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[CRJCaptain]

If I were doing the bidding I'd start with what you know...how many man hours did it take you to install the short section of split rail? Take this time value and extrapolate it out to the length you're bidding on. Multiply the time by your hourly rate...also don't forget to add in any equipment expenses-skid steer hourly rate and depreciation costs if you own the machine.

Happy Holidays,

Dean

 

[burnetma]

If the property is close to home, you might ask the property owner to let you drill a couple of test holes to see what the property has in store for you. You may be pleasantly or not pleasantly surprised. I know this from experience.

When I had some high-tensile installed 9 years ago, that is exactly what the contractor did before finalizing his bid. My land was highly variable due to the proximity to the river and the fill used by road and railroad crews during the construction of now defunct road and rail beds which cross that property. The contractor discovered through soil sampling that he could pound 90% of the posts, but had to drill the remaining 10%. His original quote was 100% drill which was much more expensive than pounding. However, in pounding we did loose some posts, but that was small potatoes.

A more recent example was in the construction of a nephews pole barn. Drilling 12 post holes took a full day due to extreme soil compaction from livestock and the size of stones we ran into 2 feet down. Absolutely unreal! When it was all said and done, we basically hand dug the holes. Not fun on a 90+ degree day when we should have been making hay.

So, I am just suggesting that you may consider test holes especially if you are in a competitive, fixed-price bid scenario. It is best to arm yourself with data. If you are doing this for a friend on a budgetary basis, then you may not need to do any testing. Your call and good luck!