Chain link fencing is a relatively cheap option to check out if something needs to be confined in one area. This fencing is a popular option for pet owners. It provides them an easy way to keep their animals in one space at all times. When exploring chain link fencing options, make sure to check out different prices from different stores. One store might be offering a discount on a certain type of fencing at any given time. Chain link fences might differ in the way that they are sold. Some might be sold by the foot while others are sold at different lengths. It all depends on who is selling the product. When shopping, keep the labor costs and additional costs in mind.
Chain Link Versatility for Pets
An effective use for chain link fencing is to keep pets confined in one area. Most animals do not like being caged up all day inside. They need to experience the fresh air and be able to run free. Many owners fear that they will run away if they are kept outside. They also fear that other wild animals might attack them. Letting a dog run around in a confined backyard for only 30 minutes a day will help to keep them much healthier. Most owners will just keep an eye on them or play with them during this period of time. It is easy to get their exercise in for the day with chain link fencing. Some owners will use invisible fencing because there is nothing taking up their space. These fences are known for their inability to work during the most crucial times.
A chain link fence will always keep a pet under control. There are no electronics used with a physical fence. If the dog has dug under the fence, this is a potential danger. It is important to keep an eye on them and check for spots that they might have dug out. They are easy to spot because a dog is usually not smart enough to cover up their tracks.
Different Pricing Options
Chain link fences have been used for a long time in many different applications. They are used in steel cage matches in professional wrestling. They can also be used for baseball field backstops. This gives the baseball hitter a mark to aim for. They need to hit it over this fence to score a home run. What all of these uses have in common is that they require different lengths and sizing. A wrestling match cage will need to be much higher than a baseball backstop, although it will need less feet than a backstop. A backstop will need to be much longer but still have some height to it. This information, in addition to labor costs, can really drive up the chain link fence prices, depending on the company.
When checking out the prices in a store, make sure that the price they give is taken with a grain of salt. They will want to make the price as attractive as they can to potential customers. After the customer bites the bait, they will try to do everything they can to sell their chain link fencing. It is something that many companies use as a tactic. Car dealerships might put $78 on the windshield of a car. This price is the ownership cost per week. This adds up to almost $280 per month in the end. Be careful to not get too excited at the opening cost of owning a certain fence.
Labor Costs
Most companies will try to get the overall price of a chain link fence down as much as they can. This is not an easy thing to do when labor costs are almost as much as the fencing cost. Five hours of labor is almost as much as the cost of the chain link fence itself. Installing chain link fencing requires many fine adjustments at first. The foundation posts need to be mapped out and installed to less than an inch of perfection. Without these precise measurements, the fence might not stand up for too long. The posts also need to be cemented into the ground. Some companies will take further measurements while this is drying.
It is important to keep an eye on the installer to make sure they are not getting paid to watch the cement dry. This can really rack up the total costs. Most legitimate companies will set the posts and come back the next day to start installing the fencing. The pricing of five hours of labor is just an estimate of what it might cost to install a fence. The type of fencing plays a large role in how much the labor costs will be.
Other Hidden Costs
There are many other hidden charges in a chain link fencing job. The fencing and labor will be the majority of the cost total though. Other factors that need to be taken into consideration are the cost of installation tools and parts. The installer will need to purchase different rivets, screws and bolts to complete a job. This adds up over the length of a fencing job. The tools they use will also need to be rented most of the time. The customer will be charged for this tool rental fee.
When checking into an estimate, make sure to find out if the company uses their own tools or rents them. It can save a lot of money in the end by asking this simple question. Sales tax is another cost that needs to be factored into the total. This is usually 6 percent of the total cost.
No Question Is A Dumb Question
Most people do not ask enough questions when they are looking to install a chain fence. They usually just call up the company and ask them for a quick quote. People who are on a budget will benefit greatly from asking lots of questions. It is better to ask too many questions than to not ask enough. A person's wallet will thank them in the end for asking them during a quote interview.
Thanks for all the info on "hidden" costs to ask contractor.