New Start.

Pilgrim

Greetings. I've been a public school teacher for years but have had enough and left...just "subbing" now. I have a 13 year old boy and want work we can do together, some now and more so in the future...so I'm getting into the fencing. Without wanting to waste the time of my competitors, trying to get their quotes on jobs... how do I figure out pricing? If charging by the hour, what's a good rate for someone new? Or do I charge by the type of job? An suggestions for a good start up in the business is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Pilgrim

Deadhead Derek

and the hits, they just keep on coming.....

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OCRS

Where y'all from Pilgrim?

BuiltByMAC

Welcome to the forum.

Don't ask for pricing help here - search through past threads for info on building methods to educate yourself.

Starting up a construction business now, in this economic climate, with no experience, is a very bad idea.

Mac

Deadhead Derek

"I haven't lost my temper in 40 years; but, Pilgrim, you caused a lot of trouble this morning; might have got somebody killed; and somebody oughta belt you in the mouth. But I won't. I won't. The hell I won't!" (He belts him in the mouth). (

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OCRS

...

Bodger

"I saw a farmhouse burnin' this morning Curly. Ya jus' might need me and this Winchester.."

Hey, how much does it cost to re-build a burnt down farmhouse anyway?
In 1878 dollars I mean?

Tinstaafl

Pilgrim, can you skin griz?

Bodger

Better be able to, because Will Geer is about to run one right through the cabin at ya Jeremiah!

PA woodbutcher

I think that was the first movie I saw in color, way back when.

And off to bring another!

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'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan

inthegutter

The best advice I can give you is to speak to the three large/largest fencing suppliers in your area. They should be able to help you. You may also want to call 15-20 fencing companies that are close to you but you probably wont be competing with and ask the owner for advice. The suppliers can give you some names. Ask the suppliers for the names of any successfull fence company owners that have recently retired or are about to. You may get the best advice of your life or they may all be jackbags. DO NOT "invest" ANY of you retirement $$$ into this. DO NOT use credit cards or credit from suppliers. Pay with real money every time and put away a % of every job for taxes/insurance, etc. Put a "Rock clause" in your contract in case digging is harder than you thought. Have a written contract for every job- no matter how small. Never Never hire "Day labor" aka illegals
This is a horrible time to start a business but many of the people you would have competed against will be out of business by the spring.

Remember- You'll never lose $ on a job you lost because you bid too high.

Good Luck

Gus Dering

Don't give up your day job until your fencing habit is in the way of it.
Forget that, just enter a 12 step program to kick your fencing habit before its too late for you and your son.
Oh your poor son

XanadooLTD

RS Means gives good pricing. Its pretty ballpark. SHould at least get you started.

dirt diggler

you seem like a nice guy - and everyone beat me to the John Wayne thing. lol

so ill spare my thoughts. You need to think of your child though. He's only 5 years from college. Your above quote tells me that maybe you're getting into something you might not have experience in. There's other ways to spend quality time with your children.




By the way - I would LOVE to waste my competitor's time. If I could figure out a way to tie up their phone lines for 24 hours a day - I would. If I could send them on a wild goosechase to the point they go bankrupt - I'd do it. I'd love it too. I really would. I LOVE seeing my competitors fail. Love it.

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Thanks in advance!!!

rustyjames

I'm curious as to what pushed you to the point of "having enough"

Stone Mountain

As a fence and deck installer for 30 years: DON'T DO IT!!! NOT NOW.

Wait until the economy is back on track. You will regret this decision a week after you quit the job.
If you have never run aa business before, you are just plain STUPID to go out and try now. If you have to run a business, go into something people need whatever the economic climate: food, health, day care, that sort of thing. Fences: people only put them in if they need it and not becuase they want it. In today's economy, they will very possibly decide to keep that rickety old fence for one more year, or that they can live without the privacy for a while longer.
If you have to do it, go to work for a competitor for a summer and see what it's like. Or buy a franchise. They'll hold your hand throughout the entire process of getting up and running. THe franchise fee will seem like pocket change when you are rolling.
Some Franchises to consider:
-Archadeck
-Hickory Dickory Deck
-DeckMasters
-Stone Mountain (Me)

There is no such thing right now as a franchise operation just for fences.

For pricing: figure out what you need for a panel of fence. Multiply by the number of panels. Figure our how much labour it takes. Then add a markup. That's your sale price.

Once more: Don't DO IT!!

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the big 12 inch

stick to teaching,fencing can be dangerous!!!

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MoneyOnTrees

Congratulations on your decision Pilgrim. And the Naysayers, forget 'em. There is plenty of money to be had...just got to go get it!

Put I would maybe go work for a fencing company for a little while first if you have no experience...

Cdat

Bodger

You would be the one with the gun, I assume,
Monsieur Pantalones De Merde?