Replacement garden fence

ruffles09

I need a rotten fence and posts removing and disposing of, and a new fence putting up in its place. The length of the fence is about 30 foot and the fence I'm thinking of going for is a 6ft close board fence. I've been quoted £500 incl. VAT for this with wooden posts and gravel boards, and £700 incl. VAT for the same fence but with concrete posts and boards.

The £500 sounded about right to me - please, please tell me if I have that wrong - but I was really surprised by the price difference for concrete boards and posts (both quotes from the same contractor). Any thoughts on either quote very gratefully received! I live in Wiltshire, towards Swindon, if that helps re pricing.

Thanks again for any help anyone can give.

Ganga

If you can afford it and if the quote is right ( get 2 more from other fencing companies ) go for the concrete posts,they will not rot and need changing every couple of years,spend now-save later

regards
Ganga

keystone

£ 500 less 20% is £ 400. £ 50 minimum for disposal unless he's flytipping or burning it somewhere. Approx £ 250 - 300 for materials leaves £ 50 - £ 100 to fit it. Bit cheap if you ask me. Concrete posts are probably £8 or so each more expensive than treated timber. Ditto gravel boards.

Cheers

ruffles09

Ganga wrote: »

If you can afford it and if the quote is right ( get 2 more from other fencing companies ) go for the concrete posts,they will not rot and need changing every couple of years,spend now-save later

Thanks very much for that; I will get some more quotes. Yep, I'm usually in favour of spending now in order to save later, but things are that difficult financially at the moment I don't think I can.

keystone wrote: »

£ 500 less 20% is £ 400. £ 50 minimum for disposal unless he's flytipping or burning it somewhere. Approx £ 250 - 300 for materials leaves £ 50 - £ 100 to fit it. Bit cheap if you ask me. Concrete posts are probably £8 or so each more expensive than treated timber. Ditto gravel boards

That's really helpful, thank you. Given the number of boards and posts involved (four of each), the £200 difference definitely seems over the top. As for the other amount, it may be that he isn't VAT-registered as no mention of VAT was made on the quote and I had to ask, so that would, I think, make it a more realistic amount.

Thanks again!

ruffles09

Some days I shouldn't be allowed near a keyboard... I've just realised I said originally the quote included VAT, and then in a later post suggested it didn't. *headdesk* What I meant was that there was nothing more to add to the quote. Anyway, thanks again for the replies - they've been very helpful in getting me on track with the amounts involved.

keystone

ruffles09 wrote: »

As for the other amount, it may be that he isn't VAT-registered as no mention of VAT was made on the quote and I had to ask, so that would, I think, make it a more realistic amount.

In thats case its probably OK. Note that if the quotation specifically doesn't mention it then VAT is deemed to be included and you won't have to pay it but he might if he's registered.

Cheers

julianashcroft

If you go for the wooden posts rather than the concrete ones, if treated they will last a lot longer than a couple of years as stated by a previous poster. Mine are coming up to 24 years now and are remarkably still solid. However if given the option I would still go for the concrete.

onlyroz

Sounds like a reasonable quote for me - and I'd also recommend going with the concrete posts.

ruffles09

keystone wrote: »

In thats case its probably OK. Note that if the quotation specifically doesn't mention it then VAT is deemed to be included and you won't have to pay it but he might if he's registered.

Cheers

I didn't know that about not having to pay it if it's not on the quote. Very useful info for the future. Thank you!

And thanks for the info re the price, too - most helpful.

ruffles09

julianashcroft wrote: »

If you go for the wooden posts rather than the concrete ones, if treated they will last a lot longer than a couple of years as stated by a previous poster. Mine are coming up to 24 years now and are remarkably still solid. However if given the option I would still go for the concrete.

Twenty-four years? That's seriously impressive, though I take on board both the fact they're treated and also what you say re concrete. I'm beginning to think I'll regret not stretching to the concrete, if I possibly can. Thanks very much.

ruffles09

onlyroz wrote: »

Sounds like a reasonable quote for me - and I'd also recommend going with the concrete posts.

That's very helpful, thank you!