Recently, I installed a vinyl privacy fence around my property perimeter. Initially, I wanted to hire -out and I went through the process of obtaining several contractor bids. However, the prices quoted for my vinyl fence installation came back higher than I expected. I had to consider installing the vinyl fence myself in order to complete the project within my budget. Meanwhile I wondered, why is vinyl fencing so expensive?
Vinyl fencing is expensive because of the technical manufacturing process that combines two complex layers of PVC through high-temperature melding and co-extrusion. Also incorporated are costly UV inhibitors, acrylic modifiers and impact resistant polymers.
The end product is five times stronger than wood, does not fade, and is impervious to rot and decay. A properly installed vinyl fence will last for decades. Understanding the different components of a contractor’s bid and the technical aspects of the manufacturing process can help justify the expense and with decision making.
How Much of a Vinyl Fence Bid is the Cost of Materials?
Getting your first bid back for a vinyl fence installation is quite the “sticker shock”. After offering multiple explicatives to no one in particular, your first impression might be that your contractor is trying to take advantage of you. The reality is far from the truth.
Generally, a vinyl fence bid will reflect the material costs to be between 50-70% of the total bid amount. Regardless of whether you are planning on hiring out your vinyl fence project or doing it yourself, obtaining an accurate material cost estimate will greatly influence your decision making.
The size of the project and amount of vinyl fencing to be installed will be driving factors. Vinyl fencing materials are very expensive. Despite how you might feel, your contractor is not going to be able to retire off of your one project and is most likely not trying to pull a fast-one on you.
Is a vinyl fence worth installing yourself?
My experience incorporates several years of general contracting and many years tackling my own home improvement projects. I have a DIY mentality—sometimes to a fault. However, I understand that the DIY approach often assumes a larger amount of savings by doing a project myself than what is actually realized when the project is completed.
Self installing a vinyl fence can potentially save $1000’s. However, when the cost-of-materials margin is 30% or less than the contracting rate, there is very little room for miscalculation. It is absolutely critical that every single component of the installation is considered. Otherwise, the risk of spending more money self-installing dramatically increases.
If the main objective of DIY-ing a project is to save money, it is highly damaging to the psyche when the cost of self-installation dramatically exceeds the contracting rate.
For the DIY inclined vinyl fence installer, see the following chart below that provides a NON-all-inclusive list of things to consider that may very likely be required and add expense to the project.
| Materials | cost | Tools | cost | Additional Costs | cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl Fencing | varies | Shovel | $30 | Posthole Auger Rental | $120 / 8hr rental |
| Concrete | $4.25/80lb Bag | Post Hole Digger | $40 | Fill Dirt for Leveling | varies |
| Gate Hardware | varies | Pencil-Point Digging Bar | $35 (Lowes) | Exavation for Leveling | varies |
| Post Support | varies | 4 ft Level | $30 | ||
| Coarse Aggregate | $6 / 50lb bag | Rubber Mallet | $10 | ||
| Rebar | $7 / 10ft length | Rotozip/Dremel | $70 | ||
| String Line | $6 | Rivet Gun | $50 (Harbor Freight) | ||
| Wood Stakes | $7 / Dozen | ||||
| Silicon/PVC glue | $7 | ___________ | _______________ | _________ |
As you can see from the list above, the installation process for a vinyl fence includes many more materials than just the fencing product and concrete. There are many tools that might also require purchase if not readily available.
Whether or not a post hole digging auger, landscaping fill, or excavation will be required will depend on the project. But all of these components add cost. And, in a scenario where there is only a 30% margin of savings potential juxtaposed to the contractor’s bid, those savings can quickly disappear through DIY oversight.
Important Components of a Contractor’s Bid
A contractor’s bid may be itemized in different ways. But generally there are two main components: cost of materials, and labor.
Cost of Materials
It is important to note that the contractor is usually able to purchase materials at a discount with the supplier. Based on the relationship and volume, this could be a 5-15% adjustment from retail pricing and from what the DIY installer might expect to pay.
Labor
Contractors make money when their installation methods are completed with high-quality efficiency. A minimum crew will be composed of two installers. Depending on the project, an efficient crew could run layout, dig holes and set corner/gate/terminal posts on one day and then install the rest of the fence on the next.
Contractor’s Overhead
Contractor’s overhead may be included as a separate line item or included in the cost of materials and/or the labor figure. A contractor’s overhead for managing the project is usually about a 10-20% markup.
A DIY Vinyl Fence Install Could be Just as Efficient
A DIY installation could certainly be just as efficient as an experienced contractor’s crew if proper due diligence is made to obtain a thorough understanding of the vinyl fence installation process and through careful planning.
However, I still highly recommend obtaining multiple bids from contractors in order to consult with a professional about the project and perhaps gain important insights as to what the project may entail. As a courtesy for their time and if you are set on DIY-ing the project, don’t hesitate to pay a helpful contractor for their visit—especially if their contribution is valuable.
Vinyl Fence Manufacturing: An Expensive Complex Process
A vinyl fence is made from PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride). The same basic materials used in PVC piping to run a sprinkler system is also used to manufacture a vinyl fence. However, the composition and manufacturing procedure involved with creating vinyl fence material is much more complex and costly.
Co-Extrusion: Dual Layer Melding of Complex Fortifiers
Vinyl fencing materials are typically made by melding together two important layers of PVC material.
Inner Layer
In the co-extrusion process, the inner layer (substrate) is typically composed of filler and compounds that add strength to the posts and railings.
Outer Layer
The outer layer (cap-stock)—is composed of a concentration of UV inhibitors, impact resistant polymers, strengthening acrylic modifiers, and customized pigments.
Layers Combine to Make an Long-Lasting Product
These additives greatly fortify the PVC material to be able to withstand harsh outdoor exposure for decades. Also, as technology advances, new composition methods are tested and incorporated to create an enhanced vinyl fence material.
Rising Costs of Core Materials Impact Vinyl Fencing
The cost for many of the state-of-the-art ingredients incorporated into the manufacturing of vinyl fencing has risen exponentially over the last few years.
For example, TiO2, titanium dioxide, is a compound added to the cap stock to enhance the vinyl material to be able to resist UV rays for an incredibly long time. Its excavation and production is generally obtained from Chinese distributors.
However, recent anti-pollution regulations have driven up the cost for Chinese production as excavation methods have been enhanced to produce TiO2 with less environmental impact. Source: Kaolin: the Answer to TiO2 Price Hikes?.
Shipping Adds to the Overall Cost
Lastly, even though shipping isn’t generally an itemized cost in a contractor’s bid, it is definitely a cost that is incorporated to the net expense of materials—especially when purchasing a product from a company with a nationwide service market. Because vinyl fencing is a bulky product to ship it takes up a lot of room on a freight truck as is expensive to transport.
Buying from a local manufacturer may be a way acquire a similar quality product without the overhead cost of shipping.