Ornamental fence

[Awaz]

I am googling and getting some info, but wondering if anyone here has any link on good info on how to lay a fence. Basically, I am going to fence my front yard and wife dictates it has to be some sort of ornamental (meaning no wood or hurrican). The area is pretty wide. I am talking roughly 250 yard (or bit more) of total length of fencing.
I have never laid a fence before, but I am handy with that kind of stuff. So no issue in understanding the process.

[JetJock]

Yes. HAVE IT DONE FOR YOU!

If you were talking 20 or 30 feet and a cute little picket fence, no biggie. But 750 feet of fence is a monster job. You need a power posthole digger, helpers, wheelbarrows, LOTS of time (might as well sell the Connie as you won't have time to ride) and a fair amount of gumption. It isn't a fun DIY project, just sweat and grunt stuff.

Get some bids, have a crew come in and it'll be done in a day or two.

[Awaz]

hmmm....I may have exaggerated my measurement. Maybe instead of yard, I should have said foot. I will measure again.

[Outback_Jon]

Even with 8' sections of fence, you're still looking at putting 32 holes into the ground for 250' of fence.  (90+ if it was 250 yards)  Depending on the ground where you live, that can be a hole lot of work.

[VirginiaJim]

Yes. HAVE IT DONE FOR YOU!

If you were talking 20 or 30 feet and a cute little picket fence, no biggie. But 750 feet of fence is a monster job. You need a power posthole digger, helpers, wheelbarrows, LOTS of time (might as well sell the Connie as you won't have time to ride) and a fair amount of gumption. It isn't a fun DIY project, just sweat and grunt stuff.

Get some bids, have a crew come in and it'll be done in a day or two.

+25

[JetJock]

hmmm....I may have exaggerated my measurement.

That's what she said . . .

[Boxer]

Do it yourself if you feel you have the skill and dedication to get it done.
When I needed fencing done it took for ever to get the quotes and when
I finally got them they were nothing short of ridiculous.
In my locale everything needed can be rented.  I chose to buy what
I needed and I loan it to friends now.  I saved a pile of money.
You an also rent some friends with a little beer and BBQ.
It's more a matter of how you want to spend your your leisure hours than
how you want to spend your cash.

[Conrad]

My son just put in a wooden fence after buying a new house. He did it ALL himself. I forgot how many feet of fence he put in but he had to dig 64 post holes. He rented everything that he needed and saved over $4k over the estimates he got. Sure, it was a lot of work but he's VERY proud of doing it all by himself. I had some pics that he took on my cell but I guess I deleted them.

[Awaz]

A few years back, I did try to get some quotes. To be honest, I do not remember anyone getting back to me !! Well, I am gonna get some accurate measurements, see what the local Home Depot got for sale. I think they have they aluminum 'wrought iron' look fences. Price those along with posts, etc. And try to get a few quotes, if I ever get any. But I most likely gonna get it done myself.
I remember one of the houses we own had two porches pretty much in bad shape. Quote from contractors were from $5000 - $8000. I finally said heck with it, took a week off from work, and did it all myself top to bottom for just under $2000 in materials. And it is still standing and looks pretty darn good too.

[JetJock]

It's more a matter of how you want to spend your your leisure hours than
how you want to spend your cash.

Exactly. Me, I value what little spare time I have and choose to use it doing fun things instead of drudgery.

And I've seen way too many DIY projects that never get completed, because it's never as simple or quick or easy or fun as you'd think or something comes up that throws your schedule off (weather, goofs, etc.) I spent more than a decade working in the home repair/remodel biz and I can tackle any project around the house. But there's some projects I'll hire out because I just don't want to commit my time/energy to it. A big fence installation would be one of them.

[Cold Streak]

Make sure you get some maintenance free fence materials. If you think installing the fence is time consuming, wait until you need to paint or stain it.  Also, make sure you really know your boundaries.  In some communities the city will come out and find your lot corners for you.  Nothing worse than installing a fence, then digging it up and moving it.  Finally, have fun mowing around all the fence posts.   

[Ron Dawg]

Don't forget to call the utilities locator service before you dig or you own what you break.

[Boxer]

I've done decorative steel and vinyl.  Both were pretty damned brainless.  Both are still here after
12 years with ZERO maintenance.

[booger]

A few years back, I did try to get some quotes. To be honest, I do not remember anyone getting back to me !! Well, I am gonna get some accurate measurements, see what the local Home Depot got for sale. I think they have they aluminum 'wrought iron' look fences. Price those along with posts, etc. And try to get a few quotes, if I ever get any. But I most likely gonna get it done myself.
I remember one of the houses we own had two porches pretty much in bad shape. Quote from contractors were from $5000 - $8000. I finally said heck with it, took a week off from work, and did it all myself top to bottom for just under $2000 in materials. And it is still standing and looks pretty darn good too.

As I have indicated in previous threads, I value my leasure time at $90 per hour.  If I spent a week (40 hrs) building a fence, plus $2k in materials, it would equate to $5600.  I just had mine replaced for $3800.  And damn did it look hot out there.

[Zman]

Renting a skid loader with a post hole auger attachment for a DIY = wise investment!!