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cheapest way to upgrade a backyard (neighbor) privacy fence?
The fence in some sections is falling apart.
I got a quote form a (probably unlicensed) contractor, for replacong 3 posts, three 2x4s and 3 kickboards. He quoted $600. I calculated the material from Home Depot would cost around $100. So replacing 9 pieces costs $100 material plus $500 labor.
I checked fence panels at HD, costing around $60 each. I would need 3 panels and 3 posts, $250 material plus ??? labor.
The questions is, would it take a lot less labor to replace the boards, than taking the boards apart and reassembling them with a few new boards?
If the total material+labor costs are similar, but I can get a brand new fence then it should be worth it. I just dont know how much work/labor each option would require.
IMO just pay someone. In this case you have to take out the old fence posts and put in new ones. That is a lot of digging and you could hurt your back...backs are priceless. For a contractor they also have overhead, so they are not going to do it at cost for you:
For 2 guys:
1. Travel - 100
2. 8 hrs labor - 240
3. Materials - 100
4. Profit - 160?
That's why many people don't bother with small jobs. It is kind of expensive for you, but looking at this...it seems hardly worth it for the contractor... Honestly you will get a better job from a pro and avoid hurting yourself. I'd just pay it. 1/2 up front and 1/2 at completion.
HOWEVER you don't give us the entire picture OP in the difficulty of removing the posts, disposing of them, getting the materials tools labor to the site, EXPERIENCE in doing the job right, insurance: work comp and liability, wear and tear on equipment, guarantee if something fails, etc.......
I would repair what I have rather than replace entire panels.
I would also put in my own posts and not pay someone $600. That seems like way too much! Did you call professional fence installers or just a handyman?
Do you have to dig new holes? If the current posts are cemented in, you might be able to dig them out and put new posts in those holes. If not cemented, pull the old posts out, make the holes a bit bigger and cement the new posts with some concrete forms. It really isn't rocket surgery.
(BTW, I'm a 47 year old woman. If I had to dig brand new holes, I would probably find some guy in my neighborhood to do that part for me.)
I would repair what I have rather than replace entire panels.
I would also put in my own posts and not pay someone $600. That seems like way too much! Did you call professional fence installers or just a handyman?
Do you have to dig new holes? If the current posts are cemented in, you might be able to dig them out and put new posts in those holes. If not cemented, pull the old posts out, make the holes a bit bigger and cement the new posts with some concrete forms. It really isn't rocket surgery.
(BTW, I'm a 47 year old woman. If I had to dig brand new holes, I would probably find some guy in my neighborhood to do that part for me.)
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Contractors do not like to do tiny jobs like this, it takes up time they could be spending on jobs that bring big money, so they jack up the price. If they get the job, they make a big profit, if you pass, not much lost. Since you are also in a very high cost area, their overhead is high. This is a very easy DIY job, but if you have no skills with saw and hammer, offer to pay a relative, friend, friend of friend or neighbor that is handy. For me that would be about a 4 hour job, and if someone I knew asked for help I'd either do it for a meal or maybe $100 labor plus materials. I'm not a contractor but enjoy that kind of work, perhaps you can find someone like me there.
The quote camne from a "fence guy", I doubt that he has a contractor license. My friend lives 40 miles into the richer neighborhood, and he is chasing fence contractors for a similar job for several months. The contractors dont bother getting back to him. So finding multiple contractors in this area is impossible, I guess I am lucky that I got one quote.
This is how it looks like right now:
By the way, this kind of panel, I have not seen it at Home Depot, neither at Lowes. This may be the type that looks the same from both sides.
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