Iron fencing and gate costs

[sadloser]

What would you expect to pay?

I've been shocked at the quoted cost for metalworking the usual sliding metal gate and the fence work in between the uprights. I've built the wall to size and need only the metal work to top it off plus a gate with end posts. To help ease down costs I can supply those too.

The sizes I have in mind are a 4m gate that can be as low as 1m 70cm and inserted fence structures that would be no larger than 2m 40cm by 70cm. Again I'm flexible with the actual design and not concerned that it be ornate.

With potential constructors [metal work shops] I've asked for the cheapest they can do. I've even turned the pages of those ornate designs and asked how much for that? They don't answer.

It's transparently obvious I'm on my way to screwdom if I accept what I'm being told. The wife is sick of it all as am I. She knows it's 'see a falang' and rip him off time.

So, those of you with some experience in the matter I'd be happy to be set right.

If things stay as they are we'll be buying the metal work and doing it ourselves at cost. Six metre lengths of 1.5 cm squared and open cost 160 b. That makes a complete set up upright rods for under 200 baht. Add a length of solid substantial frame work - a six metre length of the same in 2 cm squared for 180 baht and that makes a cost of under 400 baht.

OK - the cost would slightly increased with some ornamentation and paint but nowhere near the 1800 I was quoted. Finally, the gate I mentioned was quoted at 10 k baht. Fair or fiddle?

Advice please.And I have lived here long enough to know better.

[dirtydog]

800 baht per square meter is a normal price for steel work in Thailand, may have gone up slightly, a 120cm gate by 140cm is 4 square meters for pricing, same as 2 meter by 2 meter.

[BallBreaker]

I would look at alternatives because steel fence means to much maintenance. Mine needs paint every two years otherwise starts to rust.

[Thetyim]

Finally, the gate I mentioned was quoted at 10 k baht. Fair or fiddle?

Fair.
Our front gate cost 10k just in steel but we used the quality certified stuff that will last a long time.

[sadloser]

I appreciate Dirty Dog's post as it gave me a guideline to pursue. However, when I checked the price of the raw material and the factored in labour costs there is a wide gulf between what's reasonable to charge and what someone is after pocketing. And 800 baht an hour is unreasonablely high.

I've since done CAD and measured it accurately to allow me to purchase the right length of steel. I shopped around and bought from a large dealer who undercut everyone else.

Add to that I've bought a welder as I reckon it'll earn it's money if I add to the 'must do' list security frames over the windows. It's now economic to do just that.

So, right now I have purchased just under 3k baht's worth of steel that'll top the walls bentween posts. That's filling a gap 2.4 m wide and adding a height to the wall of 70 cm. Each gap will cost 415 b. That's without adding a filial and a lick of paint. I've factored in the welding rods which should see the job through.

The point is I'm struggling to spend 500 baht a throw and yet was quoted 1800 baht. Hence, I see it as unreasonable to go from a cost of 500 b to a fee of 1800. Who is doing the welding? Damien Hurst??

The gate I haven't fully priced as yet having just finalised the design without missing something. Rollers, runners, guides, all the metal work is covered. When I get a final price I'll let you know but so far in steel it's below 2 k baht but that's excluding the thicker guage outer frame. Also I've not yet worked out the roller and runners bit, nor the track. I've seen prices but as yet haven't set my mind on just what best suits.

A word as regards the design. This is on PC, to scale, annotated and explained, all fasteners and fittings. It is not 'back of the envelope' as one Thai guy sat down to do. The only way they showed me was to open a book and turn the pages. The point being they had the sketches in detail but would not price the gate. The ball park figure of around 10k was floated. but what annoyed me was they had an exact plan but not a price.

The wife even said that when she asked repeatedly they simply wouldn't speak!

As you'll appreciate there are a few projects on going not least of which is building the wall and support posts. I've just opted for the small red bricks to build a series of 2 metre high 60cm square columns. Again the cost of bricks at .65 b makes it worth doing yourself. Along with two 89 baht bags of cement to mortar and render they are costing around 350 baht a time. Right now what are best described as foundations are going in.

It all seems unbelievably cheap when you DIY it. I've avoided the notorious Thai middle man, the inflated 'you farang' pricing, and know that when I start the work I'll continue until it's finished.

Finally, got a good deal in a three sofa set up but it's in cream. Picked up some material in a sale at to re-cover the whole thing and her in doors reckons a friend of a friend can do it. Due to the usual experience of being on the wrong end of terribly unfair and inflated pricing, the wife went alone taking one sofa along with her.

300 baht for the work of covering it, using velcro for removal ease and we supply the zip. Now the wife is going to take another along, slightly larger and get a price for that. All the time of course I remain non-existent so as to keep the cost realistic. We'll have one done and I get to then judge the quality of the work.

Fingers crossed.

[dirtydog]

If you choose a design and get them to measure up they will give you an exact price, until you do that they cannot price the job.

[sadloser]

Well intentioned Dirty Dog but I've since turned up with my portfolio and it got me know where. I've even got a simplified drawing that shows two horizontals with the verticals [23] welded to the out side. A very simple design to realise.

Got me nowhere other than the same 1800 as if you're buying 30 minutes of a consultant's time, where he reads your xrays and then makes you another appointment.

Got thye foundations done, wire re-inforced and the cement is now drying out for a couple of days. Tomorrow should be back on it with more block work and building up of the posts. I removed the concrete pre-cast ones and have gone with the red brick type.

Measurements have changes accordingly as now its 3 square on the larger posts and 2 on the in betweenies.

I'm very pleased with it all but pushed myself too hard and was suffering from aching joints at the end of the day and my knees have flared up. Still, with today being a 'rest' day hopefully I'll be feeling better tomorrow.

More red bricks were ordered locally. The cost increased fractionally to .7 baht but without a delivery charge [100 b] they were actually cheaper.

I've yet to fully price the gate. I tried today but with standing around in the yard as the woman didn't come straight over as we requested, I had to pack it in and sit down. Finally, we gave up and came home. The wife explained the problem was because we don't walk in and buy; we consider, measure, check, compare and think.

All of which they don't like. Tough. The difference in doing it yourself is quality.

Later then.

[Powerhammer]

I built a steel security fence around the verandah In Udon.
Didnt even try to get a quote as I have had nothing but drama with getting any where with the locals.
Even if I costs more for me to build it. The stress levels are so much less.
I could not find Cold Galvanising paint (zinc oxide). So I bought a good quality red oxide paint and sprayed three coats Then I shopped around and found a top quality silver and put two or three topcoats on.
Looks like a million dollars. And because I built it it is square, straight and strong.
If you PM me with your cad drawings I will give them the once over.

[sadloser]

Thanks for your offer but my 'intellectual property' will remain in my hands.

The scale of our jobs is miles apart. As I look outside I'm looking at a land plot that covers 2 rai and has a wall in progress all around it. The gate is a 4 m one and there are umpteen steel 'inserts' between posts to be built. I've actually not got a final number as it will be decided aesthetically when we reach a point parrallel to the house, whether to stop there or carry on.

There's a re-inforced concrete road to be added, an approach area beyond the gate and a hard standing area also to the front. Electrics and water [never a good mix] have to be incorporated and a garden re-landscaped, an exterior toilet block and a laundry to go in, a garage cum workshop to be added and believe it or not a whole new extension!

It's inevitable that I'm consulting professionals but like you it's a nightmare. I too avoid the stress by using the skills of family members under close supervision and then it's still like a Western stand-off when it goes wrong. Which it is doing.

My enforced lay off due to the physical aches and pains is amplified by workers going off to cut sugar cane, burn sugar cane, stack sugar cane, all things sugar cane; anything but bricks and cement and steel.

They'll be back Wednesday. Later then.

[sadloser]

Where was I?

The front now has a finished wall with support posts. Though the latter are solidly built of red brick, infilled with concrete and finally rendered. They have electrical wiring allowing lighting. This is supplied via PVC trunking as is the water supply that runs along with it.

Great idea that one. I'm hoping that in the event of a fire the PVC will melt and the water will douse the flames!

The gaps between the posts have steel work in place. Surprise, surprise my designs were scrupulously followed and the work done to a high standard at a fraction of that quoted. Today two coats of oxide primer were applied and the tin even managed instructions in English. Tomorrow a final coat [3] will be applied prior to the top coat.

The wall heights have been evened up following a lot more hard work and the steel work still has to be decided upon. Next comes the gate. There's an expedition to buy the steel tomorrow. They usually deliver p.m. and so work may start tomorrow but little progress will be made prior to Wednesday.

The lawn has been cut during all of this activity and a disturbed snake was on the loose. My wife killed it as I hid in the house rolling up a copy of the Bangkok Post, and as she killed it a frog leapt from its mouth to freedom.

The outside loo has a course of blocks in place some 8 high. The plans were never consulted and so we have a building suitable for a Sumo wrestling team. So large in fact that it almost touches the boundary wall and makes walking around it impossible. Also, the external urinal and sink can not be fitted on any of the available three walls. To follow the original plan means having to dismantle the solid base block that supports a water tank.

I've actually opted to do that. Additonally, it'll mean buying another water tank, building a new base twice the size, having a bore hole drilled, buying a pump and building the laundry room somewhere else. It'll end up being closet sized and squeezed in somewhere.

All this to keep the MiL happy as she cemented the blocks in place for her new loo. Rather than argue it I just let it go and re-thought the plans.

It's not worth the coronary believe me.

All that and trying to carry on a semblance of normality as in eating in a restaurant, going to the market or into to town. A bit of exercise and a walk for the dog.

I've also got a mate venturing out of Pattaya for a bit of country life and expecting to stay for 10 days. I wonder how long he'll actually last this Thai version of the Good life?

[sadloser]

Cost of the gate measuring 4.75 m by 1.8 m is a tad under 5k baht.

It's big enough and is solid and attractive. i also like the fact its not too ornate in the pansy Thai style you see everywhere.

I've got enough of the oxide to undercoat it and next will be buying the top coat, a quality enamel, for all steel work.

Built it today, took all day, but a good job done and I also got the base runner constructed. There's a trech now cemented over with the electrics and a water supply running under the gate's track.

It needs cementing into place, a top guide runner knocking up and a stop point. A bit of finishing off really.

But the main point for anyone considering doing their own is: it took a day to fabricate and that's with inserted uprights at 15 cm spacing plus the same in a curved ridge line on top, plus a base runner that measures a full 11 m.

Cost under 5k baht.

[SunTzu]

I'm not familiar with metal works, so I'm very interested to follow up here. Got any pics guys ?

[dirtydog]

it took a day to fabricate

Thats good going.

A bit of finishing off really

Ahhh, not finished yet, so a bit more than a day?

[sadloser]

The main gate posts are now too low as the gate guide needs raising. The addition of attractive pointy bits [ luk sorn ] makes the clearence inadequate. Hence rais ethe roller guide and hide it all behind a post.

There's still a lot of fancy twirly twiddly iron work to be tacked onto to the risers. The dogs are getting out with abundant ease so the idea is to block their path by way of buncjhed grapes, flowers and butterflies. Failing that a large mesh will be tacked on across the base of the gate and around 60 cms high.

I bought the acrylic enamel [as they call it here ] settling for a Royal Navy [really] and a gold colour.

Also, I got hold of a large drum of paint, viewed the amount of stock held and figured I could always come back for more.

My mate has arrived which now puts a dent in time available so progress from now will be slowed.

[sadloser]

Well time rolled on since last I posted.

My mate came and went and all things venting my splean, my mate saw too. Hence 'TD' never got a look in.

Where are we now then? Well it's all finished, as it almost was. One the lights didn't work. There's a row of 5 and the last mone never powered up. It took a lot of fiddling around to find the fault, a loose wire, as it was never checked before filling it in.

The paint went on and the umpteen coats seemed to take forever. All done by hand but a good job. The colours are still bright and it looks impressive. I will be re-coating it but that's because I think of it as something to do.

We've since added a huge 'gartom' Summer house open sided thing - I don't think that was there? And a garden swing. Both of these I made and just photographed examples I saw on my travels and then worked out a design and how to build.

The gartum is functional and looks just like those road side bus stops. It serves as an excellent place to read, there's a hammock in place, two sides are bench seating and the breeze blows through.

The swing I was a bit more ambitious on and had a tree cut down by relatives on our own land and I used that. It's got a good natural light yellow colour to it; the curves of the trunk are included and it is really comfortable.

I later added a sort of thatched roof and laid some roofing tiles at the apex just to aid water run off. I actualy don't like it and keep meaning to get around to changing it. But I've happily reached that stage where I'm enjoying what's in place and not having to do withoput some creature comforts.

Red ants plagues the work as I didn't avoid them, got painfully bitten and didn't do anything about exterminating them. Then came the fire ants. They were sorted with can after can of bug spray.

The large red ants I hunted down their nests mercilessly and still to this day if I see a track of them I pursue it and kill the lot.

We still get snakes and had a right to do a couple of days ago. A snake ends up in the low roof of the garden swing, that's literally less than 2 feet from your head. There's two able Thai guys doing their best to find and despatch it, then the wife calls out 'they think it's a King Cobra.'

It wasn't but as the words were uttered I was half way across the lawn and headed for Mai Sai. That's about 500 kilometres from me but I was moving fast.

It was easily 4 foot long, it was killed, which I have no regrets about, and dumped.

I can't think what else we've done over time. I do know that I chill most days. There's a growth of vegetable patches about the place and a very impressive garden that is too ornate to describe with it's patterns and symmetry. The sprinkler system is working and we still have a hose pipe as I fine there's something theraputic and rewarding in wielding a water pipe.

I was offered an engine rebuild on the Old SUV. That's one of those Sport Rider, 2 wheel drive, 400 k kms., which now burns oil too much for my green leanings. the guy is an ex-Toyota employee, runs his own small set up and has found and remied small faults and kept the Old Girl running without problem.

I'm offered 25 k baht for a complete rebuild and as I understand diesels it'll mean no rebore but rather the cyclinder replacement of the liners and then I imagine the fitting of new pistons, big ends etc.

Opinions welcome on that one as the jury is out.

As I say, though the place resembled a building site my mate was chuffed with it and nothing but impressed.

Thankfully, spending has ground to a halt. I can't remember visiting the bank and I have finally eased up if not off with recording every baht spent and on what.

It is time to kick back and I don't regret not posting the pictures. You can alwys use your imagination and I can retain my privacy.

Later then.

[rickschoppers]

I built a steel security fence around the verandah In Udon.
Didnt even try to get a quote as I have had nothing but drama with getting any where with the locals.
Even if I costs more for me to build it. The stress levels are so much less.
I could not find Cold Galvanising paint (zinc oxide). So I bought a good quality red oxide paint and sprayed three coats Then I shopped around and found a top quality silver and put two or three topcoats on.
Looks like a million dollars. And because I built it it is square, straight and strong.
If you PM me with your cad drawings I will give them the once over.

Since I am looking to build a security gate for my wife's deceased patent's house outside Udon, I was wondering what the cost was for your materials? Also, would you consider doing same at our location with help? I asked my brother-in-law to look into it, but decided to have them wait until January when I am back in Udon.

[DrAndy]

The point is I'm struggling to spend 500 baht a throw and yet was quoted 1800 baht. Hence, I see it as unreasonable to go from a cost of 500 b to a fee of 1800. Who is doing the welding? Damien Hurst??

I'm very pleased with it all but pushed myself too hard and was suffering from aching joints at the end of the day and my knees have flared up.

your meds may well cost more than B1300, never mind the pain and inconvenience

Thanks for your offer but my 'intellectual property' will remain in my hands

oooherr

My enforced lay off due to the physical aches and pains

still painful?