What I Learned Today

[Rand{CLR}]

Building a fence SUCKS. All I have to do is about 80 linear feet of shadowbox fence for my townhouse. We demoed two of the three sides (had to leave the other because the neighbor has a dog and we need that fence in place until our outer edges are complete). Got just 5 posts in place, leveled, but no concrete. Upper and lower runners for most sections.

Two rain delays, one of which involved pea-sized hail. Trip to the dump, then to the ATM, then back to the dump. Turns out it's straight cash, homey. Cost me $20.06 to drop off 680 pounds of fence, and I had 2 bucks when we got in line.

My dad is doing much of this, which is good. And he's coming back tomorrow just so we can finish the framing, which could have been done today with some cooperation from the weather and the county dump overlords. Concrete pour tomorrow too.

Then I get to play with his compressor and pneumatic hammer to fix up the slats.

I'm lucky he knows how to do this and is willing to keep volunteering for all the time and extra days. It would have cost at least twice as much, and I'm at $700 for raw materials, again for just 80 linear feet. A racket almost as good as textbooks.

-Rand

[Devilguns]

Ughhhh. That's going to be me soon. I'm going to be doing backs and sides roughly 175 feet. Trying to put it off as long as I can lol.

[Rand{CLR}]

On the plus side, I just got back $54 from Lowe's because the price of the 160 fence boards I bought last weekend dropped this week.

-Rand

[Minerva]

[juneau]

I was thinking the same thing. I want to see Rands handy work.

[Minerva]

I was thinking the same thing. I want to see Rands handy work.

yes!!!

[Apache Warrior]

I have to build a gate for my fence this weekend. I have built a number of fences Rand. I feel for you. It is back breaking work.
Apache

[MR_MADHATTER]

I'm trying to get sod put in my backyard. It's about 3600 sq.ft. at least. The sod alone may cost me $1500. Not to mention clearing the weeds, tilling the dirt, and installing the grass. But I can't even get a landscaper to return my calls.

[Skud]

Helped a friend put in a deck last year. Every post hole had at least one stone in it. One had one big enough to wedge the gas auger in tight...three guys couldn't lift it out. Skud had the suggestion of using a car jack...pal thought it would never work...we put that thing on a two by twelve, and lifted everything right out. Sad thing is, we had to get back to drilling holes again. (not a fun day) Good luck, Rand...I hope there aren't many stones.

[Rand{CLR}]

No big stones, just hard clay on the down slope portion.

Pictures in progress. Wife is documenting before, during, after.

-Rand

[Duke{CLR}]

I had to drill 12 holes for my dec years ago and wouldn't you konw there were the remnants of a field stone foundation there, I rented a backhoe to dig out the holes.

[Zantheus]

I'm trying to get sod put in my backyard. It's about 3600 sq.ft. at least. The sod alone may cost me $1500. Not to mention clearing the weeds, tilling the dirt, and installing the grass. But I can't even get a landscaper to return my calls.

$1500!?!?!? That is insane high price IMO. Im in the industry and that doesn't seem right at all. What mixures are made in your area? I mean if it is a Bent grass or something then I can understand the price but if it is primarily KBG, then that is ubsurd.

Rand, I know what you are going through lol. Ive done hundreds of fences and my first few were KILLER on the body

[Reconsnipe1]

I replaced my barbwire fence a few weeks ago. Had the same prob as skud