KevGee Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Hello all, I’ve just been quoted £1040 inc vat for the supply and fit of a 25 linear metre post and rail fence, I don’t think there will be much chance of lowering the price, however, there may be an opportunity to obtain better value by asking for top quality materials to be used? The job is a boundary fence between the back garden of a house and a field which is occasionally used for cattle. Access is good both sides and the ground conditions are also good. However, there is a difference in the ground levels between the garden and the field, resulting in the field being about 7 foot higher than the garden. A concrete “block on flat” retaining wall which terminates flush with the ground level of the field has been constructed to address this successfully. I’d be really grateful if the professionals here on the forum could recommend what they personally consider to be the absolute best materials choice for this type job. As a customer I genuinely have no aesthetic preferences, all I seek is a good quality, sturdy fence that will stand the test of time. Thanks in anticipation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Post Driver Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Say 4 rail sawn post and rail with Tornado stock netting? Stock netting to stop them putting heads through lower rails to nibble at any grass other side and putting undue pressure on fence. 6x3 posts and 4x2 rails? Timber you want Creosote treated if possible, but UC4 as a minimum. UC4 can have various bitumous products applied to it before hand to make it last longer in ground contact. Whether you would get that from your contractor is another matter.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frontrowfencing Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Definitely go for pressure creosoted timber, we generally use 150x75 mm. Length either 1.8 or 2.1 metre. Square posts for post and rail jobs. Look for redwood timber. A that price sounds quite high to me, but maybe isn't depends on access etc. And what materials are quoted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanessaw Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 I agree that pressure treated Creosote would be the best option. The standard spec for the posts is 2.1m x 150 x 75mm for a 4 Rail fence and 1.8m long for a 3 rail fence. Rails normally 3.6m x 87 x 38mm. If creosote is not an option and I appreciate delivery could add a lump onto that depending on where you are the next standard is timber not just UC4 but treated to BS8417 2011 and 2014. This means that all ground contact timber will be incised to ensure that any exposed heartwood receives the minimum 6mm penetration required. Many smaller sawmills are not aware of the change in the British Standard and thus UC4 from October last year. Since the dreaded arsenic was removed form the preservation chemicals posts are failing early and the change in the standard reflects this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
premnayloon Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 I would agree that price sounds high to me works out around £40, per metre, I would expect at that price to have mahogany or oak! With gold nails, There are several specs personally like the look of 4 rails equally spaced or 5 rails with the bottom two rails closer together, I'd agree go for the 4x2 rails, but an option is go for 4inch round posts, the reason is that a carpenter told me that the water sits in between rails and square posts whereas round posts mean there is no flat surface especially meeting which means water doesn't sit the same, I've used the 4 inch rounds on three jobs and they worked well, being 4 inch there is plenty of timber for attaching rails, There is pictures of this on the gallery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevew Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 You say the fence is in a back garden, you cannot put creasote in a domestic property. If you check with C & G. It is for professional agricultural & equine use only Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frontrowfencing Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Fair point Steve, I forgot the job was in a garden when I said creosote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevGee Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Sincere thanks to all those who have replied. So, my current preferred spec based on the above is;- 25m Post and Rail Fence All Pressure Creosoted, Sawn Redwood Posts and Rails (Creosote deemed to be okay as the fence will be in an agricultural field approx 7' above the garden) 2 – 8’x 8”x 6” Strainers 13 – 6’ x 6”x 3” Posts 21 – 12’ x 4” x 2” Rails (3 Rail Fence) 25m - 8/80/15 High Tensile Stock Netting 50m - High Tensile Steel Barbed Wire 4” Galvanised Ring Shanked Round head Nails 1 Pack 4 x 40mm Galvanised Staples Posts 2’ in ground 4’ out of ground Strainers 4’ in ground 4’ out of ground Does this sound about right? Thanks again guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevGee Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 As stevew has pointed out, creosote is now a restricted substance in a domestic situation, so I think I would be wise to avoid it. However, daft as it may seem, I believe the farmer could use creosoted timber in this very same situation, so long as there is no risk of "frequent skin contact". I think the fence being 7' above the garden could reasonably be seen to satisfy this requirement but in order for me to personally comply I will definitely be looking for an alternative. So, my question now is, what would be the next best thing regarding potential longevity etc....UC4 Redwood? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Post Driver Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 If creosote is not an option and I appreciate delivery could add a lump onto that depending on where you are the next standard is timber not just UC4 but treated to BS8417 2011 and 2014. This means that all ground contact timber will be incised to ensure that any exposed heartwood receives the minimum 6mm penetration required. Many smaller sawmills are not aware of the change in the British Standard and thus UC4 from October last year. Was that UC4 across the board or just 30yr/HA4 that needs incising now? I had some material last week from a reputable mill and the HA4 is incised but the UC4 not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frontrowfencing Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 The next best I believe, one of our suppliers does a 50 year marine treatment I be.ive, followed by a 30 year treatment then down to 15 as the last option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanessaw Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Technically there is no difference between HA 4 (NHSS 4) and UC4. The only difference is that the supplier of Highways timber holds NHSS4 and is audited accordingly. They both should be treated to BS8417 and thus all ground contact timber should be incised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calders Posted February 19, 2016 Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 As a fencing producer we would always recommend that you ask for Redwood for anything that is in ground contact as chemical penetration and retention in redwood exceeds whitewood and will give the best possible working life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haslemerefencing Posted May 21, 2016 Report Share Posted May 21, 2016 Bit late on this, but we'd use cleft chestnut posts and rails, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haslemerefencing Posted May 21, 2016 Report Share Posted May 21, 2016 Bit late on this, but we'd use cleft chestnut posts and rails, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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