How much does fencing cost?
 

I'm have a large property on the outside of town. I'd like to fence it off nicely before the town grows around it (and it becomes impossible to put it up because of bylaws and zoning and crap.)

The type of fence I want is the big 8 foot high metal one, with the 1 foot of barb wire at the top angled 45 degrees. I see them around industrial areas. They have metal poles and the fence its self is a bunch of wire-diamonds about 2" on the side that are linked together.

The texture of the fence is like in the photo below.

How much should I expect to pay for something like this? (say, per every 100 feet). I priced out some farm fencing, and it wasn't too bad, but this stuff looks more expensive.

Also, what alternatives are there (assuming this thing is pricey)? I want something that will keep kids and coyotes out... and most farm fences won't keep kids out.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

I had priced out 5' chain link a year ago and......it was close to 20$ a foot installed!! Now add the razor wire (very expensive) and you will be selling a few GAE's to get it done.

A fence is not any more than a deterrent,(slow them down enough to get the shotgun) so I put up a 'welded wire' 5 footer with wood posts myself. I bought regular 'barbed wire' and will install it when needed.

But ya never know, get a price for your area.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

Prices vary dramatically by region, and professional installation is highly recommended, although DIY isn't all that hard. You need to sink the posts in concrete (mixer rental) which means post holes (power auger rental) every 8' or so. That's not the hard part. The hard part is drawing the chain link tight. That takes a puller (come-along) and a fancy attachment which resembles a large leaf rake. It hooks into the links to let you pull it taut.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

You could get 10 foot T posts, 48" mesh field fence topped with a few strands of barbed wire. You'd still be looking at upwards of $8 a foot I would guess, perhaps more. This type of fencing has to be stretched (unlike chain link) and would require concreted in corner posts with welded reinforcements as well as concreted in posts wherever there is a change in terrain.
It sure adds up quick.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

You could look into no-climb farm fencing. The holes are too small for little feet to fit in, so it can't be climbed as easily. Sometimes it's sold as goat or deer fencing. Whatever way you go, it's going to be expensive. Good luck!

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

Hmm even $8 a foot is major ouch because I'm covering a long distance. I had a hunch it would be pricey because there is a substantial amount of metal in 1 linear foot of that kind of fence. I haven't begun to measure it out or decide where I want coverage, but it's definitely a couple thousand feet. There's some big buildings and I don't want people roaming around them.

I know it won't absolutely stop people but the look of it should make them think if they really want to trespass or not. Plus it means anyone whom I might find on the property (or who goes on the property and gets themselves hurt) can't claim they just wandered over and didn't know they were trespassing.

I may throw up something about 9feet tall and badly built out of wood... just so that I have a pre-existing fence later that I can "repair" over a period of time without being regulated to death. The fence isn't all that important right now but in a few years as the town moves closer I will want it.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

I just bought a gas auger from Harbor Freight for $179 (sale price). 4" auger included (22" drilling depth), 6" auger available for another $50. I think it is going on sale again the first week of April.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95346

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/pho...5399/95346.gif

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

You might want to consider a 'natural' fence of thorn bushes. That will make someone think twice about climbing through.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

Thorn bushes are a great idea. They are really nasty.

Have you considered a moat?

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

I apologize from the bottom of my heart, but I just can't help myself.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

Exactly.... I am going to be pushing up about a 6' soil berm around the borders of my land to prevent vehicle traffic and probably plant thorny vegetation on the berm to discourage people from climbing it plus prevent erosion.

I have seen this done on a few roads I drive regularly. Seems to be very effective plus is great for privacy. A huge barbwire fence might bring a lot of curiosity and attention whereas a more natural barrier would go mostly unnoticed.

The best thing about it, it will cost no more than a couple days bulldozer rental.

Dave

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

If anyone is interested in the thorny hedge option (called a hedgerow) I bought a couple books on the subject and can look up specific questions. I believe a mix of hawthorn with blackthorn is most commonly used.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

LOL......you could make it out of blackberry bushes..thorns and food stuffs...

around here...6' chainlink with 3 strands of barbed on top in light gage wire/posts runs...15$ish a foot installed.....tons and tons of variables...wire gages..post gages...total amount...line posts..corners..etc...

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

If you are going to build a 6' berm around your property you better have a way to get the water out if you have heavy rains.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

If your going with natural vegetation, consider adding some stinging nettle (edible, as well as painful to touch), kotata blackberries (In my opinion the worst thorns- plus they have some freeze resistance and produce edible berrries), or poison ivy/oak. Or a mix of the three. Toss in some thorn bushes, an unfriendly dog, and a portable solar powered electric fence, and no one's gonna want to go near your property.

You might also post an add on craigslist asking for free or cheap fencing. Sometimes people have piles of fencing sitting around that they would literally be willing to give away if you will remove it and haul it out.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

Depending on your bylaws, electric works extremely well and is cheap on a per foot basis. Check out www.zarebasecurity.com. They use the same technology on 4 legged animals, for a much lower cost - www.zarebasystems.com. Available at any farm store.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

Electric fence is a nasty surprise but braindead simple to defeat. I would not rely on it to keep shitheads out nearly as much as the hedgerow idea being tossed about.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

Find out what the local picker-bush is; then find a local wholesale nursery who will contract to grow it for you in small pots for a small price.
Plant it as a hedge surrounding your property if you want to economically define your borders.
Also, as a bonus, some hedge plants are food-producers, especially for wildlife. :565:
For example.... http://www.quisqualis.com/08natpljoy.html

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

The problem with this is keeping the plants in check and not letting them spread everywhere. Crab Apples, Locust and others might work too for the purpose that you listed, but it sure is a "pain" to fix tractor tires from the punctures from their thorns. The thorny locust has an astonishing growth rate. Multi floral Rose is another that grows pretty quick, is real dense and a pain to keep under control.

Why would anyone ever want to plant Poison Ivy/Oak or Sumac on their property to keep people out. I would bet a survey would show that a large percentage of the folks in the US have no clue as to what the plants look like. The only thing it will do is help identify who it was that was at your place!


Maybe some signage too:

http://www.vosssigns.com/jimmym/166x-2.gif

I could not find it when I looked but the company I deal with used to make lawn signs on bright orange background that said:

Danger
This Area Is Infested With Digitaria Ischaemum
Stay Out

That is what is what is commonly know as Crab Grass.

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

I've got another 250 yard fence I need to put up in the next few weeks. It is one side of our north pasture. We don't usually run our goats in there but we wanted to start doing it for a couple of months every spring. So I've been looking at current fence prices. It is one of those frustrating products that shot up in price last year when metal and oil prices doubled. Frustrating right now because the stuff went up with commodity prices but then stayed high when those same prices tumbled.

Anyway, I was at Stillwater Milling yesterday to check fence prices. They are usually the cheapest in my area. For 47" field fence, we are now up to $160 for 330 feet. Stuff I was paying $79 for 2-3 years ago. Then add in t-posts which are easily double what they used to be. I've been looking at using electric fence on that side as well but I usually end up getting frustrated by the stuff. A big branch falls on it or a herd of deer smash it down and suddenly your domestic animals are all over standing on your neighbors cars!

If I was going to go for a thorny natural barrier in my area, I would use Osage Orange. It is exceedingly tough and continues to be a barrier long after it dies. (It's actually worse when dead because the wood dries to be incredibly tough. You don't want one of those thorns in you because they have some kind of big time irritant on them.)

And, as a plus, if some of them grow up to be good sized trees, it is the most outstanding firewood we have on our property. Puts out a huge amount of heat and the embers last for hours and hours.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m..._65774772/pg_2

Re: How much does fencing cost?
 

I was 1/2 way joking. I say 1/2 way, because I've considered moving stinging nettle from one end of my family farm and placing near an area where uninvited people like to show up, steal, and leave their trash. I haven't done it yet, but it's fun to think about.:biggrin: