Is building a new barbed wire fence on your summer to-do list? Barbed wire fences are only effective if they can keep livestock in and predators out. You want a durable fence strong enough to prevent livestock from escaping or coming into harm’s way. Others may use a barbed wire fence to mark property lines and keep trespassers off their property. Most fences can last for decades with proper maintenance and repairs. But even the sturdiest barbed wire fencing will need to be replaced eventually.
Unfortunately, fencing costs are one of the most expensive parts of ranch or farm life. The price can fluctuate greatly from year to year. Let’s take a closer look at the different factors that will determine the price of installing a new barbed wire fence in Carlsbad, NM.
Fencing type
There are two different types of barbed wire fencing available—livestock and security fencing:
- Livestock fencing: Livestock fencing is composed of three to five wired strands wrapped tightly together and topped with sharp barbs placed along the length of the wire. It’s best suited for keeping livestock where they belong. It is sold in standard rolls for less than 10 cents per foot.
- Security fencing: Security razor wire is a bit more expensive, at about 60 cents per foot. Razor wire is affixed along the top of the length of a chain-link fence for added protection. The outward angle of the sharp wire keeps both animals and people inside and intruders out.
The price can fluctuate based on the number of points per barb and metal posts. Additional features will increase the security and stability of the fencing.
Thickness
Barbed wire fencing generally ranges from a thickness of about 12.5-gauge to 18-gauge per foot. Higher gauges will be less expensive, but are usually not as strong. Another option to consider is the tensile strength. Wire is available in high or low tensile strengths, depending on the amount of tension it can withstand as it stretches. High tensile is stronger because it contains a higher carbon content, while low tensile wire offers little stretching ability.
Coating
The coating can also influence the quality and price. Commercial galvanized coating is the cheapest option, but it rarely lasts for more than a year. Classic-3 Galvanized coating, which is considered the industry standard, is significantly thicker. It will last about 15 to 30 years in the southwestern climate. Some manufacturers offer proprietary coatings that could provide even more years of use.
The final cost
Ultimately, the final price will be determined by all of the previously mentioned aspects, in addition to the shape of the area, the amount of materials and the labor required for installing the fence. A straight quarter-mile stretch of new barbed wire fencing will cost an average of $2,000 with a lifespan of about 20 years. Expect to pay more to electrify the system or for high tensile fencing.
Of course, this isn’t an exact estimate. Call Guadalupe Mountain Fencing to determine exactly how much it will cost to install a new barbed wire fence in Carlsbad, NM on your property.