Fences are an effective method of demarcating your own property to feel safe and undisturbed. The chain link fence is one of the simplest variants of the classic fence, which requires little material and tools and can be set up in a very short time. Even with large gardens, the costs are kept low, especially if you install it yourself.
Setting up a chain link fence: Costs for the wire mesh
The cost of a complete chain link fence is reasonable compared to wood, stone or metal fences and can be achieved even on a small budget. Since this fence is purely made of wire in different thicknesses, different mesh sizes and alloys, the prices vary solely in relation to these. Nevertheless, the fence is one of the cheapest types that you can use for your project. Chain link fences are rolled goods, which makes transport much easier and keeps costs low. Typical cost for one meter is:
- exclusively the wire mesh: 1 – 1.50 euros per meter
- in a set with all components for setting up: 10 – 15 euros per meter
If, for example, you need a chain link fence that is 20 meters long, you will cost 20 to 30 euros for a simple wire mesh, and 200 to 300 euros or more for complete sets, which depends on the quality of the components. Although a complete set seems much more expensive than the wire mesh, it typically already contains important materials such as the wire mesh or the wire tensioners. Materials for the foundation are not integrated into these sets, nor are the necessary tools and utensils, all of which you must purchase separately. Typically, the pure wire mesh is offered as a roll in lengths of 15, 25 or even 100 meters. They are usually available in the following heights, which increase in price as a percentage:
- 80 cm: usually the basic price
- 100 cm: + 25 percent
- 125 cm: + 40 percent
- 150 cm: + 90 percent
- 175 cm: + 125 percent
- 200 cm: + 150 percent
Higher or shorter chain link fences are not offered as often. You need to find out about these in advance, but it is generally not recommended to use chain link fences that are too high as they are not stable enough. There are also slight price differences in terms of the processing of the fence, which is not only available in different colors, most often green, but can also be found in a hot-dip galvanized version. Hot-dip galvanized wire mesh fences are almost twice as expensive because they are more resistant to external influences and the weather:
- classic version 80 cm high and 25 m long: 45 - 55 euros, corresponds to the meter price of 1.8 - 2.2 euros
- Wire thickness of 3 mm, height 80 cm and 25 m length: 150 - 165 euros, corresponds to a meter price of 6 - 6.6 euros
Hot-dip galvanized wire mesh fences are not only weatherproof, but are also more stable in their overall construction. If you want to integrate a suitable gate, you can expect prices between 100 and 400 euros, depending on the design. Gates are generally more expensive because they are constructed with the appropriate posts, locking mechanism and stronger wire. This gives them the necessary stability as gates are opened and closed frequently. Prices for double gates are on average 50 percent higher. Goals are usually not included in sets.
Tip:
If you want to save a lot when buying a fence, you should order it online. On average, manufacturers and retailers have more material in stock, which significantly reduces prices even when additional shipping costs are charged.
Cost of building materials
In addition to the wire mesh and the gate, the necessary building materials are of course important, because without them the fence cannot be erected. These include the following materials, where the stated cost is the unit price:
- Fence posts: depending on type and material between 3 – 80 euros
- Struts: 10 – 15 euros
- Strut clamp: 2 – 4 euros
- Wire tensioner for tension wire: 1.50 euros
- Tension wire: depending on length and diameter 5 – 15 euros
- Binding wire: depending on length and diameter between 1 – 3 euros
- Braided tension rods: depending on length 6 – 10 euros
- Clamps for braid tension rods: 4 euros
- Impact sleeves: 4 – 16 euros
- Strut plates: 10 euros
- Tool for driving in the sleeves: 10 euros
- Metal protective varnish: 10 – 15 euros
In addition to these materials, there are other utensils such as cable ties, wooden slats or masking tape, which can usually already be found in the shed or toolbox. You can save or spend a lot of money, especially when it comes to fence posts. Wooden posts are usually the cheaper option, even if tube posts are also cheap to buy. Wooden posts are available either round or square. The prices for the building materials vary between 65 and 200 euros, depending on which version you prefer.
How much does a foundation cost?
Two forms of fastening to the ground are available for setting up the chain link fence:
- Concrete
- Impact sleeves
The costs for the drive-in sleeves have already been described above, so only the concrete setting of the posts will be discussed here. The following utensils and materials are required for the foundation:
- Dry concrete: on average 0.3 euros per kilo
- Drainage gravel: on average 0.15 euros per kilo
- Concrete trowel: about 10 euros
- Shovel and spade: 20 – 50 euros each
- Mortar bucket, alternatively a bucket: 1 – 6 euros
The dry concrete and drainage gravel are usually offered in handy 25 kilogram bags, which comes to a price of around seven euros. Depending on the number of fence posts required, more or fewer bags of concrete and gravel are required, while the tools only have to be paid for once, which comes to a total of 30 to 70 euros.
Cost of tools
Tools are important for the success of the project, but there are some that not everyone necessarily has at home:
- Angle grinder: high-quality models between 60 – 400 euros
- Hand mixer: 70 – 160 euros, mixing stations up to 700 euros
- Impact drill: 50 – 150 euros
Typical tools and equipment such as cordless screwdrivers, sledgehammers, side cutters, spirit levels or tape measures are also required, but these are inexpensive to purchase and are often already part of the in-house toolbox. However, not everyone has the three tools mentioned above available and are not always needed for all work in the house and garden. For this reason, it is worth renting the equipment for a day, as this is much cheaper in most cases. The following are the possible rental prices for the individual devices:
- Angle grinder, grinding diameter 230 mm: 17 – 20 euros per day
- Hand mixer, also called mortar mixer: 25 euros per day
- Impact drill: 15 euros per day
Depending on the hardware store or provider, a deposit must be paid for the devices, which is in the range of 70 to 100 euros. You will receive this in full after you return the device, as long as the device is not damaged. This way you can save yourself having to buy the devices.
Professional installation in comparison
The installation of the wire fence by a professional company or company is completely different and can vary greatly. The following points influence the price accordingly:
- Transportation and travel costs for the company's fitters
- Assembly of an existing fence
- Assembly of a fence purchased directly from the company
- what form of chain link fence is used
- Foundation or impact sleeves
- which fasteners are used
The installation of a new chain link fence is usually cheaper if you order it as a complete package including installation. This variant involves the assembly packages that combine everything you need and in the end you pay a fixed price that is based on the required length of the fence. Nevertheless, there are typical average prices for the journey and installation by the fitters, which are independent of the length:
About 450 euros
Here the fitters only take care of the assembly. The fitters do not bring the fence themselves and do not dispose of any waste. This variant is particularly useful if you have ordered the fence in advance from the same company.
About 650 euros
In this variant, the fitters deliver the fence and set it up at the same time; They also take care of the disposal of the waste. The appointment for assembly and delivery of the fence takes place on the same day, which is particularly recommended if you want to have the chain link fence erected in a short time.
Typically, companies provide all necessary materials and tools. However, some companies may charge extra for a concrete foundation, but this is rare. If you already have a fence available, for example from the hardware store, the prices are usually calculated per hour. Here again it depends on the fence, because if it consists of numerous individual parts, the purchase costs are kept low, but the time required is higher. Buying fencing systems that can be set up quickly will save you money in terms of labor, but will mean spending more on the fence itself. It is therefore worth comparing the different providers with each other. An example calculation:
- 15 meter chain link fence in a set, height 100 cm, for impact sleeves: 300 euros
- Assembly and delivery combined: 650 euros
- The total cost is 950 euros for the fence including assembly
