I'm often asked why one gate design costs more than another. The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a gate design is the intricacy. Remember, labor is what costs and in many cases the material cost is really secondary. If you choose a gate design that requires cutting and shaping of the pickets that will drive up the cost. If you have a design that requires arches, (and they are beautiful) that drives up the price. This is especially true if you want more than just the top of your gate arched. Any interior arches have to be calculated and bent accordingly, that takes time.
Once a gate design is chosen it has to be drawn so that the shop personnel can make it. If you choose a more intricate design, then it takes longer to draw, adding to the price of the gate. When you integrate components into a design that will add extra time to the fabrication process. If you choose a large component, over several small ones, that may help to reduce the labor time but it may increase your material cost. Some of the larger components are amazing but expensive.
Even the smallest detail can add extra work to the project. You might not realize, but by adding an extra picket collar here or there or an additional interior rail or two that increases the cost. Each time you add an extra item, that item has to be cut, laid out, welded and cleaned. If the project is extremely elaborate then it takes more time to apply the finish too. If you are opting for a powder coat finish, the powder coater will consider how long it will take to apply the powder to scrolls, picket collars or any other small or large component design.
My recommendation is to start with a design that you love, make it as intricate looking as you wish, and if the price is prohibitive then start removing some of the elements. It's better to start at the most expensive price and remove items rather than start at the least expensive price and be shocked when you get to the design you desire.
If you're in the market for either a wood or iron fence call around to fence contractors, talk with them about pricing, the pros and cons of wood verses iron fencing and the purpose that you want the fence to serve. If you're trying to meet a tight budget then iron fencing is probably not for you. Plain wood fences are usually less expensive than any type of iron fencing. There are factors to consider, like design and details that may drive up the price of wood fencing. Talk to an expert before making any firm decisions or discounting iron fencing altogether.
If you're looking for a barrier that is solid and very private then wood fencing is a wonderful choice, but there are ways to design a custom iron fence so that it offers the same privacy by incorporating a solid plate into the body of the fence. If you want partial privacy, then you can incorporate a perforated metal panel into your iron fence design, this helps to buffer what can be seen through the fence. There are many ways to make each of these options even more attractive and that’s by adding hand forged iron components. Again, if price is an issue then these two options may not be feasible. Both options are extremely beautiful and depending upon the architectural look that you're trying to achieve can be perfect to complete your backyard project.
Before contacting iron fence contractors come up with a budget for your project, especially if budget is the driving factor. You may be asking yourself “How can I come up with a budget if I don’t even know the first thing about how wood or iron fencing is priced?” Good question, because that’s normally the case for most people. Begin by selecting a local fence contractor, give him the measurements of your project, the height that you want your fence and the location of where the fence will be installed (include whether the fence posts will be embedded in dirt or concrete). If your fence contractor accepts email send some photos of designs that you like and pictures of the area of installation. Ask for pricing for a basic wood fence design and pricing for basic pre-manufactured iron fencing, that’s a good starting point. Once you obtain these prices then you can establish your budget. Establishing a budget will make it easier to determine if iron or wood fencing is the right selection for you. Once you’ve decided you can contact several other local fence contractors, send out pictures or a sketch of your design, measurements and photos of where the fence will be installed and they should be able to give you a ball park figure for your project allowing you to compare pricing. Once you select the contractor that’s right for you, then he can come to your property to answer any questions, measure precisely and firm up the design and pricing.
Happy fence shopping!
