So, I'm pretty sure i've made a huge mistake and hired a questionable company to install a fence around my house. They've messed around with the price on me and now that they're installing the fence it appears they're using 8ft panels instead of the estimated 6ft.
I'm assuming 6ft panels are more expensive, does anyone know if that's correct. Internet research yields only "request an estimate now" type stuff.
More facts: Tan vinyl privacy fence, 6ft high. ~215 ft, with 1 5ft gate. Had to remove and haul away existing fence.

7/5/2017 12:51:36 PM

The longer you make the board the less the price will be per foot length wise around the pasture as long as you have 1000 ft or more or so. Vinyl is ridiculously expensive. Make sure they "tamp" around the posts if they arent all going to be cemented in so that the fence is strong. That's where your issues will be.

We just had a 1500+ foot fence installed for our horses and it wasn't cheap, make sure they have the work completed AS YOU WANT IT.

I assume you got a contract?

7/5/2017 12:56:16 PM

No contract, now I'm really sure I've made a huge mistake... It's only 215 ft so, the scale here isn't what you're talking about... but I'm very angry at myself. I know better than to do this crap without a signed statement from both parties...

7/5/2017 2:00:22 PM

I only know that it's usually first to five touches and that competitors have to stay on the strip.

7/5/2017 2:07:48 PM

I don't know if I know what a vinyl fence is..

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Freedom-Common-6-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-6-ft-x-7-82-ft-Ready-To-Assemble-Emblem-Sand-Vinyl-Privacy-Fence-Panel/50179531

?

Lowes was the first thing that popped up, but for these anyway, they're actually more expensive per sqft the longer the panel

7/5/2017 2:25:28 PM

^yes, but the larger the panel the fewer posts you have to use, AND the fewer panels you have to use. I did some napkin math and figured for my project it was about a 10% increase in price from 6X8 to 6X6 ft panels.

7/5/2017 4:09:51 PM

have you mentioned to them that they're not meeting your expectations?

7/5/2017 7:23:29 PM

Not yet... I didn't get out there an measure till 4 this afternoon to be sure. The guy that I worked with on the phone is not out there installing fence... But I will be calling him tomorrow.

7/5/2017 10:18:15 PM

Quote :

"They've messed around with the price on me and now that they're installing the fence it appears they're using 8ft panels instead of the estimated 6ft."

Messed around how? You negotiated a lower price / they offered a lower price and you accepted? If so, they're probably using 8' panels to meet the stated cost.

Quote :

"I'm assuming 6ft panels are more expensive, does anyone know if that's correct."

The panels themselves are likely to be less expensive; however, the installation may be more due to # of panels and posts.

Quote :

"No contract, now I'm really sure I've made a huge mistake"

Yes, you did. Consider any lost money here your payment of the stupid tax.

Quote :

"Make sure they "tamp" around the posts if they arent all going to be cemented in so that the fence is strong. "

Tamp? If the fence is a solid (as opposed to picket style), then every post better be set in concrete or else it will be coming down pretty soon. I wouldn't accept any type of fence without posts being in concrete, even picket style, though you could likely get away with it (until the local fatty leans against it).

[Edited on July 6, 2017 at 8:24 AM. Reason : add more note]

7/6/2017 8:18:29 AM

I've put down a many fence that has lasted a long long time without cemeting every hole lol.

That's ridiculously high priced. Depends on your soil situation what you need to do too. Not every fence is the same.

7/6/2017 9:14:33 PM

Quote :

"Messed around how? You negotiated a lower price / they offered a lower price and you accepted? If so, they're probably using 8' panels to meet the stated cost. "

So... initial quote for 6X6 white vinyl was ~$4700, changed two days later to 6X6 TAN vinyl at the same price. Following HOA approval of the project I call them to schedule work and they changed the price over the phone to ~$5200 stating that tan vinyl is more expensive. (I have no documentation of this besides where I wrote it down on my note pad... thus my stupid tax assessment.)
Yesterday they began installation of 6X8 Tan vinyl fencing. I called them when the opened this morning to report the error, however I did say that I did not want to stop the work, but this was not the agreed upon work, and I would be requesting a price reduction. (back story, the initial bid over the phone was a huge sales pitch about how their work is superior to other guys in the area, and that they do 6ft spacing between posts and how that is a superior product). Construction was complete today. Bottom line the fence does meet my needs, but it is not what we agreed to.
I've gotten statements from their two main contractors in response to my complaint that amount to "this is a free upgrade" and "we don't do 6X6 vinyl." These conversations go in a circle when I respond that I have multiple statements from their office, on their letterhead saying 6X6 vinyl. (of note: no paperwork has my signature on it... but I don't dispute the ~$500 price increase.)

7/6/2017 10:32:04 PM

Yup, let this be a cheap lesson to you on home ownership these days and side job type deals...

Always CYA

7/6/2017 11:02:06 PM

Quote :

"Tamp? If the fence is a solid (as opposed to picket style), then every post better be set in concrete or else it will be coming down pretty soon. I wouldn't accept any type of fence without posts being in concrete, even picket style, though you could likely get away with it (until the local fatty leans against it)."

its vinyl, its coming down if fatty leans on it even if the posts are in concrete

7/7/2017 9:27:06 AM

the pickets will come down, but not necessarily the posts too; at least the vinyl fences I've seen have wood posts with a vinyl sleeve

Quote :

"I've put down a many fence that has lasted a long long time without cemeting every hole lol."

Remind me to never ask you to build me a fence. Also, it's concrete, not cement.

[Edited on July 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on July 7, 2017 at 11:19 AM. Reason : .]

7/7/2017 11:00:34 AM

overkill is a real thing.

7/7/2017 12:38:40 PM

For those of you following along at home here's the resolution:
he knocked another $150 off the final price. All posts are concreted in. The corners and post that supports the gate have a metal post with a vinyl sleeve. So, final price $5100 even. It's all said and done, and I've learned a lesson. I hope the fence is still looking this good in a year.

7/7/2017 2:54:56 PM

utilities can set power poles with dirt backfill and proper tamping. those poles get hit by cars without leaning sometimes. The notion that a simple backyard fence requires concrete backfill on every pole is beyond stupid.

7/9/2017 11:31:19 PM

^this.

7/10/2017 3:32:20 PM

Initially I thought this thread was about sportsmanship in sword fighting. Sadly I have nothing else of substance to contribute

7/11/2017 7:43:31 AM