Varying quotes with garden fence replacement

mlc2009

I need a new garden fence in Manchester. Had three trades out. All have good reviews on my builder

3700 

2600 

1800

The guys in the middle explained everything etc seemed to know what they are doing. The 1800 one is a older guy who didn't explain much and gave me the cheaper quote but he has so many reviews and good ones. I'm confused now. You'd probably say pick the cheapest one wouldn't you but maybe the 1800 guy is using cheaper wood?. All very confusing

MeteredOut

Many actually say don't pick the cheapest one.

If you're worried about what wood is being used, why don't you ask what wood is being used? Or, write the spec you want and get each to quote on that basis.

Have you asked to speak to any previous customers; I'd not rely solely on online reviews.

FreeBear

mlc2009 said: I need a new garden fence in Manchester. Had three trades out. All have good reviews on my builder

Forget the reviews you see on these sites - Way too often, they are not a true reflection on the tradesman or the quality of the work. personal recommendations are they way to go, but I wouldn't be using a builder for fencing.

Look in the local yellow pages (or google search) for fence suppliers - Most will offer installation as well. Go for concrete posts and gravel boards. Even with budget panels, the posts will outlast you, and if a panel does need replacing, it is easy enough to drop one in. Wooden posts will rot at the base and are unlikely to last more than ten years, yes, concrete posts will cost a little more, but they last considerably longer.

TELLIT01

Are all the quotes for exactly the same fencing, posts, gravel boards etc.  One may use waney edge fence panels and another use close boarded, for example.

mlc2009

TELLIT01 said:

Are all the quotes for exactly the same fencing, posts, gravel boards etc.  One may use waney edge fence panels and another use close boarded, for example.

The 2800 one was for 10 wooden vertical board sections, wooden posts + full rip out and removal. concrete base rip out and removal and a 6ft by 3ft gate

the 1800 one.. he didnt break it down, but he said it will have concrete base and posts, thats including removal costs

victor2

As already said, go for concrete posts.

We had a new fence with concrete posts and gravel boards installed in 1987 and the original posts are still there. On the third set of fence panels now and had featheredge (vertical) panels over 10 years ago. They are still there now too.

TELLIT01

I wouldn't be impressed by any fencing company which recommended timber posts.  Did they mention concrete as an option?

Eldi_Dos

TELLIT01 said:

I wouldn't be impressed by any fencing company which recommended timber posts.  Did they mention concrete as an option?

    A fencing company, like any company can only sell what the customer will buy. Many customers prefer the                    aesthetics of wood and the company caters to that, to criticise them for doing so is unfair.

stripling

FreeBear said:

mlc2009 said: I need a new garden fence in Manchester. Had three trades out. All have good reviews on my builder

Forget the reviews you see on these sites - Way too often, they are not a true reflection on the tradesman or the quality of the work. personal recommendations are they way to go, but I wouldn't be using a builder for fencing.

Look in the local yellow pages (or google search) for fence suppliers - Most will offer installation as well. Go for concrete posts and gravel boards. Even with budget panels, the posts will outlast you, and if a panel does need replacing, it is easy enough to drop one in. Wooden posts will rot at the base and are unlikely to last more than ten years, yes, concrete posts will cost a little more, but they last considerably longer.

You can't review a tradesman on My Builder unless you have commissioned him or her. The reviews are a good indicator. My Builder is divided into sections so an advert requesting a fencing job will go to fencers not builders. It's quite a good site for day-to-day jobs. I've used it multiple times. 

victor2

stripling said:

FreeBear said:

mlc2009 said: I need a new garden fence in Manchester. Had three trades out. All have good reviews on my builder

Forget the reviews you see on these sites - Way too often, they are not a true reflection on the tradesman or the quality of the work. personal recommendations are they way to go, but I wouldn't be using a builder for fencing.

Look in the local yellow pages (or google search) for fence suppliers - Most will offer installation as well. Go for concrete posts and gravel boards. Even with budget panels, the posts will outlast you, and if a panel does need replacing, it is easy enough to drop one in. Wooden posts will rot at the base and are unlikely to last more than ten years, yes, concrete posts will cost a little more, but they last considerably longer.

You can't review a tradesman on My Builder unless you have commissioned him or her. The reviews are a good indicator. My Builder is divided into sections so an advert requesting a fencing job will go to fencers not builders. It's quite a good site for day-to-day jobs. I've used it multiple times. 

A builder I used a lot told me he didn't use services like My Builder (he was referring to another similar one) because it would cost him to use it, and he got so much business by word of mouth that he didn't need to use paid for advertising. His mates in the pub would buy their mates a pint to give them a good review.

Like any good tradesmen, he had to be booked a few months in advance, and received endless enquiries from passers by while he was building an extension for us. Sadly (for us humble folk anyway), he's a retired millionaire now and doesn't need any more work.

FFHillbilly

quotes will vary, methods used will vary. thats just what we get with the free market.
It's unto the person ordering the work to specify their requirements in order to compare quotes like for like