T-post install cost

[UpToNoGood]

I have 1 mile of property that needs to be fenced off. I have two gates installed and all the corners already set. No brush is in the way for the entire run. I have roughly priced the posts and wire to be $3-4k depending on 10 or 15 Ft spacing with 4 strands of wire.

So what would you expect me to pay to have someone install it for me?
Should I attempt to get the materials myself or have the installer get them? I have no connections to get them any cheaper than retail so it doesn't really matter to me.
The property is high desert in NM and was wondering if 10-15ft was better?
Should I have fence stays added as well?
Does the Gauge of wire matter much?


Thanks in advance.

 

[bcp]

A fencing company may charge less for supplies and labor than it would cost for you to buy supplies, then hire it done.

Bruce

 

[whistlepig]

I once priced having fencing done about 4 years ago. They wanted $2.50 per foot. That was with me furnishing all the fencing material.

 

[creekbend]

Hopefully this will provide you with some insight? www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/FM1855.pdf

 

[whistlepig]

On pricing of fencing material I found it best to go to Tractor Supply. I couldn't find anyone else that could better their price.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Wire gauge does matter. Don't skimp on this or you'll be chasing breaks all time.

Brett

 

[DT86]

I'd check with a locally owned farm store. Buying that much fencing material they might give you a "contractor" price.

If you've got the time and energy this should be something you can do on your own.

What is the primary function of the fence? Retaining animals or just a property boundary?

 

[jvolock]

Uptonogood. I used to live in the east mountains and still own a ranch in Mora County (NE of Las Vegas NM). My wife and I, along with my kids have put in over 500 tposts and more than 30 wood posts for corners and gates up on our 40 acres in elbert county Colorado. The soils here contain much more clay than my experience in New Mexico. We've used the bucket of our tractor to drive the tposts into the ground. We've had best success right after a period of moisture, although we put in 1000 ft of fence in November and the ground was bone dry. We ended up driving the tposts in as far as they would go and then used a tpost driver to put them in the rest of the way. With most of NM soils being very sandy, you might be okay driving the tposts just with the tractor bucket. My tposts are spaced 10' apart. We've installed horse fencing. Depending on where you are located, you are going to need to factor in travel time/costs for any contractor you hire unless you hire locals.

Good luck with your project.

 

[UpToNoGood]

What is the primary function of the fence? Retaining animals or just a property boundary?

The primary upfront function will be to set the boundary. Long term it will have some animals when we live there full time. I have also considered letting a local run her horse once in awhile to keep the grass trimmed before we get out there full time.

I have two different fence guys I plan to call today to get a quote.

 

[jvolock]

My primary need for the fence is to keep horses in separate pastures so I can rotate the horses and let certain pastures rest.

Allowing a neighbor pasture her horse might develop some good will. You might want to post a couple no tresspassing signs as well as a sign containing New Mexico's equine immunity statute.

Part of our 40 acres was already fenced with barbed wire and there is 5 strand along the roadside parameter.

 

[DT86]

The primary upfront function will be to set the boundary. Long term it will have some animals when we live there full time. I have also considered letting a local run her horse once in awhile to keep the grass trimmed before we get out there full time.

I have two different fence guys I plan to call today to get a quote.

Ok what type of wire will you be using? Any luck with those quotes?

 

[UpToNoGood]

No luck with the quotes. I guess with the holidays no one is answering their phones. I will keep at it and hope to get something soon.

As for the wire it will be the same as everyone else in that country (Barbed Wire).

 

[mjarrels]

We had about a mile of new high tensel (7 wires) fense installed last year, all treated wood post pounded into the ground using a heavy duty pounder mounted on a skid steer. Five new gates, best fence we ever had on the farm. Total cost was about $13,000 with the fence builder providing all materal. 8 -12 hits would pound a 6" dull post into the ground on cold Feb days. Post driver was manufactured in New Zeland and used a 850 pound weight.

mark

 

[UpToNoGood]

I talked to one of the fence installers and his materials costs are a bit lower than I figures at Tractor Supply. However I figured he could get a better deal some how buying in bulk. His labor cost varied depending on the terrain and work involved, but he knows the area and gave a rough quote. He won't commit until he sees it in person and we walk in together so I have to wait til spring when we meet.

 

[DT86]

I talked to one of the fence installers and his materials costs are a bit lower than I figures at Tractor Supply. However I figured he could get a better deal some how buying in bulk. His labor cost varied depending on the terrain and work involved, but he knows the area and gave a rough quote. He won't commit until he sees it in person and we walk in together so I have to wait til spring when we meet.

How much are the t posts each going to cost if you bought them?
What is his rough estimate per foot? It sounds like you are totally against doing it yourself?
I have never heard of anyone using barbed wire for horses.

 

[UpToNoGood]

Tractor Supply has them for 5.49 each.
He can do it for 1.25 per ft. Things are cheap in this county because it is very poor and no work to be had. You have to create work if you want to get paid.
I am not against doing it myself, but being 800 miles away makes it hard. So when I am there I have to make the most of my time and get done what I know best and fencing is not something I know and want to learn on a limited time.
As for the horses that is something they do out there. The horses must know better I guess. My long term goal is for cattle to eat/sale.

 

[DT86]

I would jump on that price. Is that all T posts or is there a wood post every so far?

 

[UpToNoGood]

It is a t-post every 20 feet with 2 stays between each t-post. 4 strand with the bottom being smooth for game and dogs to go under unharmed. A post will be placed every so often, but not sure of the distance. I have seen the fence work he has done in that part of the country and it is good work. He is doing it the same as everyone else gets it done out west.

Keep in mind I have 2 3/8" pipe H braces welded in each corner. That is work I have done in the past.

 

[jinman]

Tractor Supply has them for 5.49 each.

UTNG, TSC has 6 ft (1.25 lb/ft) t-posts for $3.89 each. They also have 6 ft (1.33 lb/ft) t-posts for $5.49 each. To compare apples to apples, you have to find out how much per lb each costs. By the pound, the 1.25 lb/ft t-posts are a far better deal. They are $0.52 per lb. The 1.33 lb/ft posts are $0.69 per lb. The increased weight is only 1.28 oz/ft, or for a 6.4% increase in weight, you are paying 47.27% more for each post. Any way you look at it, the slightly more robust t-post is a bunch more money. If you figure around 250 posts for a mile of fence, the more robust posts are $1372.50 and the lighter posts are $972.50. That's a $400 savings for those posts. Since a posts primary function is to separate and support the strands of wire vertically between stretching posts, I'd sure consider the savings that could be had with the 1.25 lb/ft posts, especially since you'll have two stays between posts. I think TSC should price the heavier posts at $4.49 each instead of $5.49 each. Based on my calculations, I'd say you could drop your spacing to 15' with a single stay and have a stronger fence for the same materials cost or less. Your decision. . . .