The Fence

At our August meeting, we reviewed several proposals to fix the fence. Many contractors wouldn't even bid on fixing the existing fence because it was in such bad shape. They recommended a replacement instead.

The homeowners in attendance liked that idea as well, so we took a vote. It was unanimous that we install a new fence (no timeline given). The problem is that a new fence would cost upwards of $30,000 which we don't have in the bank. We would either need to save up over several years or take a special assessment to collect money (or both).

Bill S. said that he had some contacts in the construction industry and would get their opinion. Below are his findings and the email comments from several meeting attendees (I didn't publish last names since this is a public site). Please review the messages below and feel free to join in further discussion at http://groups.google.com/group/thepines.

Before the end of October, I will post an online survey to allow every house to vote on what to do with the fence.

Kevin

Neighbors,

As I promised at the meeting I gathered some information regarding the fence. To replace this fence the cost of labor is $8000.00. This includes clearing the shrubs and hauling them away, removing the old fence, installing a new fence and painting it. We have to pay for hauling away the old fence. We need 5 or 6 thirty yard containers that cost $300 each. As to the paint, we need 5-7 five gallon containers. Sherwin Williams sells a good exterior paint for approximatly $85-$90 per 5 gallon containers. As to the fencing material we need 175 8ft sections @ about $40.00 each, costing about $7000.00. We also need 90 8 ft posts at $6.00 each. That will complete the cost of the fence.

I need to tell you that the contractor and I walked around the entire fence. He assured me that the present fence still has some life to it.

For $800.00 we can have 2 men paint the fence and trim the shrubs. We will supply the paint which would cost about $600.00. This fence should serve us for the next 4-5 years.

This is the information I have to share, keep in mind that the numbers can change with time depending on delivery as prices do go up and down.

Hope to hear a reply or reaction from you.

Bill S.

This sounds really good to me. I agree with the fence not being "done" yet...there's still some life in it. I trust a neighbor's opinion as he has to live here and has for the last bunch of years. Also, each homeowner on the fence property should be required to clear the fence of brush and weeds to make the process easier. We should be able to hanlde basic repair and then painting. We may want to offer hauling of the brush as well.

Finally, the fence over off King for Country Walk that was just installed is a long term answer for us. If we can get this band-aid fix of painitng to handle the next 4 years, we should be able to rasie the capital over a 5 yr period to install the composite fence down the road.

Thanks

Jim B

My thoughts....

• if we could paint it now and get another 4 years out of it, that would be my vote. There are some sections of the fence that do need repair in the short term and hopefully that can be accomplished at the time of the painting.
• You could assign another partial assessment over the next 3-4 years in addition to the yearly dues. This way it makes it more financially feasible over the next 3-4 years for families towards the cost of total replacement in 4-5 years.
• I still would like to see the cost from Lowes/Home Depot on the composite fence (along King prior to the Police station). It does look very nice and I'm thinking over the long term, it would be maintenance free and wouldn't need to be painted in years to come. Milhem, would your contacts be able to quote a price on that type of material?

Thank you Bill for getting in touch with your contacts and for the work in helping to come up with some options.

Lisa T

I'm all in favor of salvaging the fence with repair and a new coat of paint, but Tom says it should be sanded, primed and then repainted. My only problem with looking at the maintenance free fencing is that it would not be aesthetically pleasing because it would not match the rest of WoodStreams fencing. Big difference if the fencing is not matched. Should we consider talking to Woodstreams to see what their long-term plans are regarding fence maintenance? Joyce B

Hi All,

Paint and repair works for me.

Best regards,

TomW