Steel pipe post and rail fence pricing and question

admin

Last post I saw on here about this was 7 years ago, so, regarding labor, what is the going rates out there and how is the best way to figure the bids on different designs? Like if they want just top rail with panels or multiple rails or top rail with 4 strands of sucker rod? And with welding on the top rail, 2 3/8 pipe, is there a trick to not having the warping at each post, where the weld pulls the top rail down a bit on each side of the post ? It’s minimal and I haven’t had anyone question it, but I see it.thanks.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Mastmec

Last post I saw on here about this was 7 years ago, so, regarding labor, what is the going rates out there and how is the best way to figure the bids on different designs? Like if they want just top rail with panels or multiple rails or top rail with 4 strands of sucker rod? And with welding on the top rail, 2 3/8 pipe, is there a trick to not having the warping at each post, where the weld pulls the top rail down a bit on each side of the post ? It’s minimal and I haven’t had anyone question it, but I see it.thanks.
Reply:You can mod a c-clamp to presses down on the point above the joint and pulls the rail up, then weld the joint Complements of Brainfarth.  Or William McCormick posted his version of a lever with a hook on one end and a fulcrum in the middle apply pressure  at the opposite end.  It needs to be stout built. The hook goes under the rail, the fulcrum goes above the joint and the clamp goes opposite the hook and clamps the lever to the rail.I have made both.  I prefer Mccormicks design.  Both work to break the back and give a straight rail.  I used a hole saw to form the hook.  Things need to follow the center line of the lever

Attached Images

Last edited by tapwelder; 4 Weeks Ago at 02:41 AM.
Reply:I alway calculate by hour or day.This gives what time takes the multiple the hourly rate ( the hourly rate will change over not time)The materials by pound or ton again multiple by cost plus markup. (Weight does not change over time but does)One best ways of figuring the time is from last job by taking notes of time it took you to do.Dave

Originally Posted by Mastmec

Last post I saw on here about this was 7 years ago, so, regarding labor, what is the going rates out there and how is the best way to figure the bids on different designs? Like if they want just top rail with panels or multiple rails or top rail with 4 strands of sucker rod? And with welding on the top rail, 2 3/8 pipe, is there a trick to not having the warping at each post, where the weld pulls the top rail down a bit on each side of the post ? It’s minimal and I haven’t had anyone question it, but I see it.thanks.
Reply:Depends on how you build and quality rail you areBuilding.  Architectural quality will cost moreThan industrial or agricultural quality.  Pipe fabrication labor cost quite a bit more than standard rail because of the amount of handling involved before welding( cutting and referencing round stock is time consuming), the amount of welding per joint, finishing round material and designing for transport and site installation.  You could charge per joint, easily measurable timewise. When I here “sucker rod” I think used material and pipe fencing and Texas?
Reply:I don't charge hourly.  When I put together a bid I figure my material cost plus my actual labor cost (employee wages/taxes/etc)  then I add $1300 day minimum this covers my overhead, consumables and profit . It's not scientific but it pays the bills and cash flow.    https://www.securitydoorgatefence.com/
Reply:I had other say  " The art of quoting ".  Dave

Originally Posted by SDGF

I don't charge hourly.  When I put together a bid I figure my material cost plus my actual labor cost (employee wages/taxes/etc)  then I add $1300 day minimum this covers my overhead, consumables and profit . It's not scientific but it pays the bills and cash flow.    https://www.securitydoorgatefence.com/
Reply:

Originally Posted by Mastmec

Last post I saw on here about this was 7 years ago, so, regarding labor, what is the going rates out there and how is the best way to figure the bids on different designs? Like if they want just top rail with panels or multiple rails or top rail with 4 strands of sucker rod? And with welding on the top rail, 2 3/8 pipe, is there a trick to not having the warping at each post, where the weld pulls the top rail down a bit on each side of the post ? It’s minimal and I haven’t had anyone question it, but I see it.thanks.