Wire fence is a common staple across the agricultural landscape. Wire provides a durable, cost-effective fencing option to keep farm animals in or out, depending on the application. Wire fencing can be found along pasture perimeters to keep livestock safe. It can be placed around the garden to keep free-range animals out of the food. Wire fences come in many different sizes, making them a great choice for yards, kennels, livestock, and more.
Installing a woven wire fence requires some hands-on manual labor. With the right help, most fences can be erected in a couple of days. Of course, when budgeting time, there are many factors to consider. For starters, the size and type of the enclosure will give you a good idea of how much time you’ll need to commit to the project. Other factors like terrain, weather, complexity, location, and available tools will also play a role in the time commitment required to get the job done.
Let’s take a look at what you should consider before jumping into a fencing project.
What Factors Affect Fence Installation?
No two fences are ever exactly alike. You can get a good idea of the time commitment required by looking at the size and scope of a project. Here are the most common factors that affect the time it takes to install a wire fence.
Fence Size
Fencing a 400-square-foot garden to keep farm animals and wildlife out of the produce is a much different project than perimeter fencing forty acres of pasture. Longer fence lines will require more materials and more bracing, which will add more time to the overall project. Understand the scope of the fencing project, how you will get materials where they’re needed, and how much help you will need before you begin.
Fence Type
Wire fences come in different forms. A woven wire fence is typically sold in a mesh roll and requires stretching to properly tension. An electric wire fence is sold in wire strands and requires stringing the wire on non-conductor wire holders. The type of fence, along with the other materials like posts, factor into the total installation time required to erect a fence.
Terrain
If you’ve ever spent time on a Midwestern cattle ranch or in the mountains in Colorado, you understand that geography can play a big role in any fencing project. Working with relatively flat land and soft, black soil like that found in the Great Lakes region can feel like a breeze compared to digging post holes in rocky soil found across the western US. Plan extra time for fencing in rough terrain.
Weather
Solid work ethic aside–weather conditions can slow you down or even halt progress when working outside. In some cases, like heavy rain, it’s difficult to continue working outdoors. And in others, like lightning storms and high wind, it’s downright dangerous. Even in less obvious weather patterns–like cold or hot weather that falls outside of our comfort zones, we can move a little slower than on those days when it’s 70 degrees and sunny. Think about the time of year that you’ve planned your fence work and possibly the time of day you intend to work. Make the most of early mornings in the summer and clear afternoons in colder weather.
Design Complexity
Most fences are rectangular. This shape provides strong, clean fence lines and efficient use of space. It also means that you’re starting your fencing project with the most efficient design for a quick fencing project. However, if you’re adding additional steps like a wood top rail for visibility, you should plan extra time to complete the fencing project. The same goes for fence post selection. If you’re putting t-posts in the ground, the project will go a lot faster than if you are digging wood fence post holes by hand.
Location
Have you thought about how accessible the fence location really is? If you have to carry posts and wire rolls out to a field, it can take a lot more manpower and many more hours to get the job done than if you are fencing along a road or driveway. When considering the location of your fence, you should also consider options for transporting materials. If you have a tractor or utility vehicle on the farm, put it to use to save time.
How Different Wire Fencing Options Compare
The time commitment needed varies by fence type. Welded and woven wire, both sold in mesh rolls, should take a similar amount of time to install. For 100 feet of linear fence, this is typically about 15 hours of labor. For a two-person crew, that’s a full day’s worth of work. As we’ve already discussed, weather conditions, terrain, and inexperience can all slow down the rate at which work is completed, so this estimate is merely a baseline.
If you’re installing welded wire panels, there’s no stretching, so you may be able to save some time, but you’ll have less flexibility with post placement. And with high-tensile barbed wire, you’ll need to run three independently tensioned strands of wire, so you can expect the process to take longer than the mesh rolls of woven wire.
The Bottom Line on Installing Wire Fences
Installing a new fence requires manual labor. You and a few friends or farmhands will put in a couple of good days’ worth of work getting the job done. And for large farms, the work may never really end. By the time you get a new pasture fence up, it might be time to work on perimeter fence maintenance or tackle a smaller fencing project. Whatever task you’re facing, Red Brand can help. Our premium wire field fencing products have stood the test of time. For more than 130 years, our brand has been a top fencing choice across the agriculture industry. Shop Red Brand fencing today.
FAQs
How long does it take to put up a metal fence? ›
On average, the installation process can take between one and four days. However, the actual installation can be delayed by the time it takes to gather materials, prepare the property, or remove a previous fence or any trees that are in the way.
Is Red Brand fencing good? ›Farmers, retailers and professional fence installers all agree that Red Brand fence is the best for quality, reliability and longevity.
How long does it take to build a wire fence? ›Building a wire fence is a project you can complete in a day or two, especially when you have a helper.
What is the difference between red brand Class 1 and Class 3? ›For properties that are especially prone to rust, 'Extended Life' fence is coated with our heaviest layer of zinc. As a result, Class 3 service life is 2.5 times longer than Class 1 coating. The majority of Red Brand's woven fence styles are available in either Class 1 or Class 3 coatings of zinc.
How long does it take to install a 100 ft fence? ›Building a simple wooden fence around a 100 to a 200-foot yard with normal ground conditions takes between two and four days. This estimate includes removal of the old fence and post-installation clean-up. But it does not take into account some of the common adjustments made during fence installation projects.
What is the best time of year to install a fence? ›Winter is definitely the best time to install a fence if you have a manicured landscape. Most plants are dormant during the winter months, which means trees, plants, and shrubs are less likely to be damaged during fence installation and construction.
How long does red Brand wire last? ›How Long Will My Fence Last? In most cases, Red Brand fence can be expected to last 20-30 years when properly installed in normal conditions.
Who are Red Brand fence competitors? ›Red Brand top competitors include: Farm Fence North Carolina, Pro Fence LLC, Orange Fence & Supply, Bemboom's Fence Inc What technology does Red Brand use?
Where is Red Brand fence made? ›Red Brand fence is 100% made in the USA from start to finish. Our wire fence products have been the trusted choice of property owners, farmers and ranchers since 1889. Manufactured at Liberty Steel & Wire in Peoria, Illinois, Red Brand uses the best American-made steel for quality and reliability in every product.
What is the labor cost to install a wire fence? ›Depending on the woven wire fencing you choose, you'll pay $0.40 to $1.50 per linear foot. Fencing companies generally charge $1.10 to $2.50 per linear foot for installation.
How do you secure a wire fence to the ground? ›
Add Chain Link Fence Stakes to the Bottom
The stakes wrap around part of the chain link fabric and get pushed directly into the ground. This bridges the gap between the fence and the ground, and it stabilizes the bottom of the fence. Some homeowners add chicken wire to the base for an extra barricade.
The standard spacing for fence posts is 8 to 25 feet apart, depending on the type of fence. A standard wood fence would require posts 8 feet apart, while a high-tensile wire could span 25 feet.
What is a Class 1 trademark? ›Class 1 includes mainly chemical products used in industry, science and agriculture, including those which go to the making of products belonging to other classes. This Class includes in particular, compost, salt for preserving other than for foodstuffs and certain additives for the food industry.
What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 3 galvanized? ›Class 1 Galvanized Wire is dipped in a zinc coating once. Class 3 Galvanized Wire is dipped in a zinc coating twice providing optimal performance and lasting 3 times as long as Class 1.
What is Class 3 in trademark? ›Non-medicated cosmetics and toiletry preparations; non-medicated dentifrices; perfumery, essential oils; bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations.
How long does it take to post a 6-foot fence? ›The general rule of thumb is that your fence posts needs to be two feet longer than the total height of your fence - including a gravel board, if you're using one. A 6ft fence requires an 8ft fence post.
How many feet does a fence need a day? ›Ornamental fences: 80 to 150 ft/day. Vinyl fences: 80 to 150 ft/day. Wooden fences: 40 to 100 ft/day. Chain link fences: 100 to 200 ft/day.
How long does it take to finish a fence? ›If conditions are perfect, and the project isn't too big or complicated, usually 2-3 days is enough time to finish the fence. However, there are many factors that can determine the length of the installation and we're here to tell you what they are.
What time of year is cheapest to install fence? ›Overall, the cheapest time to install a fence is during the off season. That means fall, winter, or (very) early spring. Late spring and summer tend to be peak times, and it can be more difficult to schedule the fence installation company you want.
What time of year is cheapest to buy a fence? ›Winter is typically the most cost effective time to purchase a fence. Since there is a spike in demand for fences during the warmer months, and they typically take longer to install during the spring and summer. This means your budget can go further.
Who gets the good side of a new fence? ›
The finished side should face toward your neighbor. Not only is this more polite, but it's the standard. Your property will look a lot nicer with the “good” side facing the outside world. Otherwise, your fence will look like it was installed backward.
What gauge is red brand wire? ›Make sure fence wires are properly stretched. Wire fences tend to become loose over time, so you'll need to keep an eye out for sagging wires along your fence line. Leverage tools throughout the year to keep the fence taut to prevent further sagging or damage.
What is the best brand of field fence? ›Red Brand is a line of premium agricultural fencing products and reigns as the most recognized brand of farm fence in the United States. The Red Brand logo represents 130 years of making top quality, fence products for a wide variety of applications.
What is the best fence for the money? ›Treated pine tends to be the most affordable, and also durable wood option. Cedar tends to be a pricier wood for fencing, and redwood and teak are at the top end. Vinyl, wrought iron, brick or stone fences are the most expensive.
What is the cheapest most durable fence? ›PVC fencing. The cheapest way to create a fence for your home is by getting one made from PVC. Such fences substitute wooden pickets and stakes to offer your protection from the outside world. PVC sleeves improve the stability of wooden posts used as a fence, reducing the cost of material and the labor used.
Who owns Red brand? ›Red Brand is now part of the family of companies that make up Liberty Steel & Wire, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Liberty Steel & Wire produces high quality steel fabricated wire products, industrial wire and wire rods.
Is red brand high tensile? ›Red Brand offers different styles of high tensile fencing, including 12 1/2 ga, 14 ga, field fence and 15 1/2 ga barbed wire. For reference, the 12 1/2 gauge high tensile is equivalent to a low carbon 9 ga., making it lighter weight, equally strong, but less malleable. All high-tensile fence is Class 3 galvanized.
Who makes the brand red? ›| Product Red edition of the iPhone 14 | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Red (One Campaign) |
| Introduced | 20 January 2006 |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Website | red.org |
On average, materials for a fence cost between $5 and $23 per linear foot. If you hire a professional to install your fence, labor costs can range from $35 to $70 per hour or $7 to $12 per linear foot.
How do you calculate labor cost for fencing? ›
Fence Installation Costs
You can more accurately calculate what your project may cost by determining how many linear feet your fence will be. Depending on the material you choose, fences cost $15 to $60 per linear foot installed — or $10 to $35 per linear foot for materials and $5 to $20 per linear foot for labor.
Using the above rule of thumb, posts can be spaced anywhere from 8 to 12 feet apart. Generally, a successful structure will have five steel t-posts to one wooden post. Spacing the posts 8 feet apart will require 660 posts. On the other hand, a 12-foot spacing requires 440 posts.
Should wire fence touch the ground? ›If you are setting up a fence to keep rodents or other small animals out of a garden or other field, you may want your fence to touch the ground. It can also be helpful if you're trying to hold small-breed dogs or other animals that might actually dig under a fence that doesn't touch the ground.
Does wire fencing go on outside of posts or inside? ›The correct installation of ag fencing is to place it on the inside of the posts. This way, animals in the enclosure brush against the wire, not the posts. Fence posts that have been placed outside of the fence material will take nearly all of the animal's force.
Does fence wire go on inside or outside of post? ›Wire should be strung on the inside of line posts and on the outside of curves. Electrified wire will require insulators for fastening to posts. The type of insulator that you choose will be dependent upon the type of post and wire that you are using, as well as your specific fencing needs.
Should there be gap under fence? ›When building a wood fence, be sure to plan for a space between the pickets and the ground. In most applications, a wood fence should be installed at least two inches off the ground. Your posts and rot boards (if you choose to install them) should be the only fence components that contact the ground.
How tall should a T-post be for a 5 foot fence? ›Firstly, let's establish one simple rule: your t-posts should be about two feet longer than the height of your fence. This is why t-posts are typically sold at lengths between 5 and 10 feet.
How far do metal fence posts need to be in the ground? ›The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post's hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.
Is a trademark worth money? ›Trademarks can have no value, or can be very valuable indeed – it all depends on the business associated with the mark!
Who gets a trademark first? ›Trademark rights generally belong not to the first trademark filer, but the first user. In the US, trademark rights generally go to one who was first to use the mark in commerce, meaning that whoever was first to use a mark on certain goods or services would be presumed the lawful owner of the trademark.
Should I get an LLC or trademark first? ›
LLC comes first. If you plan to structure your business as an LLC , then you should form the LLC first because the LLC will be the trademark owner. So, the LLC MUST exist before the trademark is filed. Every trademark has an owner, and the owner is usually the person or business that is using it.
Which is thicker 11 gauge or 9 gauge fence? ›The higher the gauge number the smaller (thinner) the wire diameter. The most common gauges are 6 gauge (. 192″), 9 gauge (. 148″), 11 gauge (.
How long will Class 1 galvanized fence last? ›Class 1 Galvanized wire fences start to rust quickly. They'll last a maximum of 11 years, and sometimes as little as 2 years. In a coastal area, where there's salt water in the air, it can last an even shorter time. Class 3 Galvanized – This is a stronger, longer-lasting zinc coating.
Which chain link fence is the strongest? ›Stainless Steel—Stainless steel wires are the strongest and most durable (but also most expensive). They do not fall victim to the issues that other types can have. Stainless steel chain link fences are typically found at high-grade enclosures or barriers at airports, railroads, or on the side of highways.
What is the strongest type of trademark? ›Strong trademarks are typically creative or unique, setting you apart from your competitors. These trademarks include fanciful, arbitrary, or suggestive trademarks. Fanciful trademarks are invented words. They only have meaning in relation to their goods or services.
What is Class 5 of trademark? ›Trademark Class 5 pertains to pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use, food for babies; dietary supplements for humans and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental ...
What is Class 4 in trademark? ›Class 4 . Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels(including motor spirit) and illuminants; candles, wicks.
How long will a metal fence post last in the ground? ›When it comes to steel fence posts, if they're made from galvanised steel and finished with a powdered coat, they can last as long as 50 years under the right conditions. In comparison, concrete will last anywhere up to 20 years and wood usually between 10-15 years.
How hard is it to install an aluminum fence? ›It is easy to install the fence panels to posts. For level runs, you usually have pre-punched posts, and we include self-tapping screws to make the connections. At the end of a run, you may have to trim a panel down to fit. It's easy to do this with a hacksaw or electric saw.
Are metal fences worth it? ›A well-maintained vinyl, composite, or aluminum fence can easily last 20 years. Though the upfront costs for each are higher than that of wood fences, their low maintenance requirements and long lifespan make them a good investment.
How deep do you dig a metal fence post? ›
The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).
What is the maximum distance of each post in a fence installation? ›For most residential fences 8′ between posts is the maximum. Commercial fences (industrial chain link, for example) typically can handle up to 10′ spacing because of their stronger frames.
How do you keep fence posts from rotting in the ground? ›Set in Gravel and Concrete
Fill the first three inches up with gravel so the end of the post doesn't come into contact with the dirt. Gravel allows water to drain quickly away from the post and into the soil. Be sure to place the post in the center of the hole. Finally, fill the entire hole up with cement to the top.
Many homeowners question whether metal fence posts need concrete. The short answer is it depends. In some cases, metal fence posts can be installed without concrete, however, it is recommended you use concrete in areas with high winds. Concrete is a great way to secure your posts, and it is relatively inexpensive.
What is the easiest fence to install yourself? ›But, a chain link fence is one of the easiest fencing materials to install yourself. Similar to the wrought iron fencing, chain link fences come in pre-made panels and you simply need to hook them up to the posts once they're installed.
Is it hard to install a fence by yourself? ›Installing a fence by yourself doesn't come without problems. While you might save on the monetary labor costs that would go to a company, you'll be spending your own time to install the fence. Bear in mind that most fence installers have teams of multiple people which helps make the process go faster.
Is aluminum or steel better for a fence? ›For residential fencing, aluminium may be the best option. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to install. It is corrosion-resistant, and it looks great. For commercial and industrial fencing, steel fencing is preferred because of its strength and durability.
Do fences lower property value? ›A fence can increase value to your home by adding curb appeal if it enhances the visual appeal or some other aspect of your home, such as adding privacy. Significantly improving security may also add more value where break-ins are common.
What is the best color for metal fence? ›Black, bronze, or very dark green or grey are the best colors for painting wrought iron; steer clear of lighter colors where rust stains will bleed through and become much more visible than they would in a darker color.
What fences increase property value? ›Wood fences are most likely to increase a home's value, but they need regular sealing or staining to preserve their structural integrity. With regular care, homeowners can prevent wooden fences from being destroyed by rot or termite infestation.
Do you need gravel under metal fence post? ›
DO Employ a Base Gravel Layer. If a fence post fails without any sign of a pest infestation, it's likely that the failure was caused by moisture that rotted the wood over time. To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole.
Do fence posts need concrete? ›Most use concrete to create leverage. The main reason is the post length of choice for fence companies is often a 4″ x 4″ x 8′. As a result, the fence post is only two feet in the ground on a six-foot in height wood fence. Hence the use of concrete.
What percentage of a fence post should be underground? ›As a general rule of thumb, you'll need to place at least 1/3 the height of the post in the ground. For example, a 6-foot tall fence will need at least 2 feet of post in the ground.