What can I do with this fence ?

[Buppies]

It can be painted but labor intensive at best. That is a beautiful place you found hope it works out.

 

[Ritothebull]

Wifey and I like to buy unique houses that need a new life, fix them up, ( sometimes while living in them ), and then sell for a profit. Being a licensed GC it is a natural thing for me, and gives me a break from the normal commercial work we do. Anyway, found this property for sale for over six years, needs a lot of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical upgrades, plus the normal cosmetic issues. She hates this white horse fencing in the pictures and thinks it should be torn out. It is, I believe, a pvc product. I'm wondering if it can be painted to maybe a flat black like you see in Kentucky horse country. What would ya'll do ? I'm thinking somebody spent a small fortune putting this in and would like to see it stay if we move on this property. Appreciate any feedback as this is way out of my wheelhouse. . Thanks

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I agree with your wife, thats a nice piece of property but that fence makes it look like Disneyland, especially that section around the white barn. Folks will say keep it just because they know it cost a bundle but that don't make it pretty.
And I wouldn't bother to ask a realtor because they don't have a clue, it could be part of the reason it didn't sell for all they know.

 

[mikester]

I agree with your wife, thats a nice piece of property but that fence makes it look like Disneyland, especially that section around the white barn. Folks will say keep it just because they know it cost a bundle but that don't make it pretty.
And I wouldn't bother to ask a realtor because they don't have a clue, it could be part of the reason it didn't sell for all they know.

Give her a chain saw and tell her to cut down the fencing and remove it. Make her responsible to cut the grass around the fence posts afterwards. While you are at it give her a 4" paint brush and a ladder and tell her to paint the house brick white.

 

[SirReal63]

Stepp, there are plastic paints but they are really temporary and not a long term solution. Painting an outdoor plastic black is asking for trouble as it will absorb more heat and can lead to fatigue issues. There is a term for it but it escapes me at the moment.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I know I'm redundant, but I'd let the new owners make the decision to paint it, tear it down or leave it in place as-is...or...you can do it for them, if that's what they want.

 

[plowhog]

She hates this white horse fencing in the pictures and thinks it should be torn out.

I think the question is whether your wife hates the fence more than she hates making money on resale of the house. In my opinion if you touch, modify, remove, or do anything with that fence you are undercutting whatever profit you could make from the property.

This is obviously a very nice looking, well maintained, expensive fence that adds value to the property. I also live in a high end, rural, expensive neighborhood. My neighbor is *extremely* wealthy by anyone's standards. Even he didn't invest the money to install the expensive four rail fence as is shown in the photo.

If you do decide to remove it anyway, I would check into disassembly of the fence and resale of the parts instead of destruction of the fence. You might even get someone to take it down for you in exchange for the materials.

Maybe you could get some colorful baskets of flowers and arrange these as a barrier by hanging them just outside the windows your wife looks through?

 

[goeduck]

At best I would straighten out those two kinks, mostly the one by the house. The other requires trees to be cut and there is no return on those costs when you sell. Do the the house upgrades you mention, new kitchen, paint, whatever, whatever first and keep everything mowed.

 

[Sigarms]

Leave the fence as is, be it your going to live there or not.

Fence looks nice enough "as is" that you want that to be the least of any unforseen potential issues that need fixing.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Lol, when I saw the heading and read the story, I thought it was going to be a run of broken down fence by a small "flip" property...obviously not the case!

I take care of a 13 acre property that has about 4 or 5 acres of white pvc fencing (vertical slats) in several paddocks, gates etc. and was told it was about 30k installed in the early 90's. Not cheap.

Anyway, your fencing is much nicer and much more extensive.

I see the new paints for plastic available in rattle cans and they do work pretty well, but in this case even with commercial application and formulation, no way. The problem is surface spray would never cover the expansion and movement of the various components which would telegraph white no matter what. In addition weathering, abrasion in use etc. would cheapen the appearance over time instead of just leaving it white.

Would a different fence or even a solid black pvc fence look nicer...probably, but the white is a pretty classic style. I guess changing it out would depend on the payoff vs leaving it alone. Would that fence be a hinderance to the value of your flip?

I just posted and saw your comment on fence, so you are considering complete removal? That is a different story and if that's the case, just depends on what you see a potential buyer would value.

Great advice, thanks. We are just kicking it around right now looking for ideas.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I would leave it alone, that痴 a lot of money in fencing that doesn稚 need maintenance..

Excellent point. I agree. The only downside would be weed eating around the posts.