How Much Are You Worth?

Learn what determines the amount you should charge for your freelance services.

How much are you worth?

This is an important question when you are working as a freelancer or independent contractor. If you ask too little, you compete against people brand new to your field. If you ask too much, you might find yourself without any clients.

Let’s start figuring out how much you are worth by looking at two areas that help determine your value: education and experience.

A Good Education is Tough To Beat

Ask yourself these questions: “Why did I or why should I spend the time and money to get a college degree? How will I benefit by immersing myself in a college environment? What is the payoff for my work?”

The answer is usually—but not always—a bigger, fatter paycheck. Education teaches you the skills and provides you with the knowledge you need to do your job effectively. People with bachelor’s degrees earn more than someone with a high school diploma or GED (general education degree/certificate). Those few with a master’s earn even more. The top earners from an educational perspective are the rarified few with doctorates.

According to this site, male workers who finished high school without a diploma had a median income of $28,023. Adding the diploma boosted their income to $39,478.  Earning a bachelor’s degree meant a median income of $62,444 while those with a master’s got $79,342. Women high school graduates had a median income of $29,150 while those with a bachelor’s made $46,832. Women with a master’s degree earned $61,068.

An education is one key ingredient in making money. Experience is another.

Getting an education provides graduates with facts and figures. “How do I calculate this? How should I write that?” You learn the answers to these questions in a classroom or online setting.

Ah, but is education alone enough? The consensus answer is a resounding “NO!” You need experience as well.

Experience Is A ‘Real World’ Teacher

Education may teach you one method of performing a task, but it doesn’t teach you about all the ways to do it. Experience in the real world of dealing with multiple tasks, multiple deadlines and pressure from several sources at once gives you a “real world education.”

Employers—at least those in the United Kingdom—place practical work experience high on their list of qualifications.

Textbooks and classrooms are all fine and good when it comes to performing any task in the “textbook” manner. Then the “real world” gets in the way. Mistakes are made, some of them devastating in their severity.

A newspaper reporter writing about a criminal case can get in a ton of trouble by leaving out one word: “not.” There is a huge difference between writing that a person is guilty and writing they are not guilty. The key difference here is the presence or absence of a single word.

Performing tasks under less than ideal conditions—“hellish” may be an exaggeration but it’s closer to the truth—tends to result in mistakes, foul-ups and, “What the Hell did you do?” rants from your boss.

Experience teaches us how to recognize mistakes before they happen and as thy are taking place. Experience lets us know how to stop mistakes in their tracks and keep the damage to a minimum.

For example, a computer neophyte may respond to an email from a friend saying, “check out this great website.” The novice visits the site and downloads a computer virus that knocks down your machine and everything connected to it.

 Someone with a limited amount of experience would install an anti-virus program first. The protective software would either warn you about what you are going to do or limit the damage to a single machine.

People with extensive experience wouldn’t even open the message, knowing it is likely infected because they have seen similar messages in the past.

Experience, though, takes time. It takes a lot of time, as in years, to gain the wisdom that only making mistakes and learning from them can teach.

So how well does your experience translate to the requirements of a particular employer? This recent blog post from Ask A Manager may help you sort it out.

Being ‘Good’ Requires Education AND Experience

People who are not new to an occupation have the education to understand the “how” to perform a task. They also have the experience to know “when” to apply the book learning … and when to use other methods they learned outside the classroom.

Good, effective employees can look at any given situation and assess it based on their knowledge and experience. This combination teaches them which method is effective and efficient for a given situation, and which methods are likely a waste of time and resources.

Applying Supply, Demand to Your Fees

So the question remains: How much should you charge for a given task or project?

Your education and your experience are only part of the equation. Supply and demand also play a big role.

Research the amount other people are charging for the services you offer in your general geographic area. What is the typical billing rate? Is it by the hour, by the job or by the product?

Now compare that rate to the number of people offering services similar to your own in that same area. If your typical rate is drastically higher than the average, you may not get many clients. If your rate is dramatically lower, you may get people with whom you have problems collecting.

Experience often teaches us that the people who pay the least complain the most because they want what you are offering for as close to nothing as they can get.

These days you also must compare local rates with those in foreign countries such as India. Someone used to paying $5 for a single blog post for an outsourcing foreign supplier may balk at your fee of $15-$25 for what they consider the same product.

It’s your job to explain to them why your fee is higher.

Explain Why You Are Worth More

So let’s make the assumption that the going rate for your services is $50 an hour. An outsourcer is offering a similar product—you know it’s inferior and can prove it—at half your rate. Your rate is reasonable when the top people in your field charge $200 an hour. Where should you adjust your rate if you should adjust it all?

Explain why you earn what you charge.

Here’s an example of how much businesses should pay bloggers and how variables, such as experience and knowledge, affect the pay scale.

The best answer is explain to the client what you bring to the table. Explain your unique skills, experience and education. Show each client that you provide a service while similar on the surface—such as blogging—has greater value to them.

Your blog posts, for example, may include search engine optimization techniques the off-shore versions lack. Your blog posts may also be written by a native English speaker, one who understands the complex rules of English grammar, how to apply them and when to ignore them.

What you need to do is not only tell a client how you are better than anyone else, but show them examples of your work. Ideally have testimonials and compliments from people who appreciate your efforts on their behalf.

Show It, Don’t Say It

Anyone can say anything they want, but can they back it up? If you are showcasing your experience and knowledge, show work samples to potential clients. Give them concrete, “in your face” proof that you know your business and that you are worth every penny you are charging them.

If your previous work samples don’t sway a particular client, offer to create a small sample just for them. If they like it, they can hire you. If they don’t like it, they are free to hire someone else. Be careful, though, to protect yourself and restrict their use of any samples. You don’t want to “give” them something only to find it used against you later on.

Some of these same comments can be found on this About.com web log entry, “6 Steps to Get a Professional Blogging Job.”

Offer An Introductory Rate

Some people offer a low introductory rate. Be careful with that approach because they are some people who will insist on paying you that low rate even after you have shown your merits.

Have stated limits on your introductory rate. Make sure your client understands this rate is for a short time only and is not permanent. Set a time limit or a number of products where you will accept a sub-standard fee. When that limit is reached, the client then has the option of either paying your standard fee or getting someone else.

If you make the mistake of offering the low fee without a stated end, some unethical clients may expect you to work indefinitely for that substandard rate. That low rate then becomes your standard rate, if you let it go long enough.

Keep Records

Keep track of what you do, when you submit it, who you submit it to and what their response is. Having these records will pay off for you in the short and long term.

In the short term, you know what you just finished and ideally, what your next project it. Keeping a record of your progress and providing it to your client also reinforces that you are a person of your word: you deliver on your promises.

In the long term, keeping these records will help you add clients. You can show them proof of your skills by submitting samples done for other people and firms.

Having copies of emails also works in your favor if a dispute occurs. For example, an email where a client agrees to your stated rate supports you if the client decides to pay you less, then claim they never agreed to your original rate.

Know When To Move On

Let’s be honest: some clients are more of a pain than they are worth. They want everything for nothing and complain constantly. These people interpret the adage, “the sticky wheel gets the grease,” to mean: the more they complain, the less they have to pay.

You have a responsibility to yourself and your fellow professionals. Cut these creeps off. Let your fellow pros know if and when you find a client that behaves this way.

You may want to ignore a limited amount of griping from the client when you are first starting out.  Use constructive criticism as motivation to do a better job. If a client asks,  “can you emphasize this?” or, “please write only about us. We don’t advertise our competitors,” do it.

However, there is no reason to accept unprofessional behavior from a client. If you are providing the service your contract states at the rate you and the client have agreed upon, then the client is responsible for upholding their end.

A good contract spells out your rights and responsibilities.

Contracts Keep Your Friends Your Friends

“Contracts keep your friends your friends and keep everyone else from screwing with you.” Written contracts signed by all parties are important in business. Many people do not lift a finger nor perform a minute of work without one.

Avoid a case of, “he said, he/she said” by stating everything up front and in writing. If a client isn’t willing to abide by the terms of the contract—such as rate or when payment is due—they are not worth keeping. Contracts not written by lawyers may have little value in court, but they mean far more than a verbal agreement.

Contracts require both parties to perform a set task or series of tasks. They also spell out the amount, type and frequency of compensation you expect once you have performed those tasks.

This blog entry explains “How to Write a Simple Employment Contract.”

You can consider copying this sample employee agreement then modifying it for your own needs.

Here is an attorney’s Introduction to Contract Law, which is well worth reading.

Nolo Press sells a wide range of legal products designed for the average person. Its book Contracts covers terminology, how to decipher a contract someone hands or sends you and how to change them.

The Bottom Line

Getting paid by someone to perform a task entails rights and responsibilities on both sides of the negotiating table. You need to know how much to charge, when to bend a little bit and when to stop bending. Know your rights as an independent contractor, but realize your clients have rights as well.

Don’t work without a contract if possible. If that is not possible, be sure you have detailed records showing what you told them you would do and what you delivered.

The time you spent getting educated is worth money, as is the time you spent learning to perfect your craft in the real world. Set a realistic compensation level then don’t vary it unless you are willing to degrade yourself.

Be Bullish and Adopt A Loving Pit Bull Today

Sweet Pea is described as being a great family dog who loves kids, adults and complete strangers. She is house broken and crate trained.

The Posh Puppy Boutique is continuing its series of helping unwanted and abandoned pets find forever homes with loving human parents. Today’s post covers a breed often thought of as highly aggressive, just as the name suggests: put bulls.

Click here for a post dealing with large and giant breeds. Click here for a post dealing exclusively with Chihuahuas. Email David Reynolds at davereyn83@hotmail.com with any suggestions for other breeds, especially those you like.

Most U.S. residents have never heard of American Staffordshire Terriers. However, these same people will often acknowledge knowing these same dogs by their street name of “pit bull.”

The term “pit bull” also refers to the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and any cross breedings between the three related breeds.

Pebbles is a “blue and white” mix who is good with most dogs, kids and adults. She is mellow, well-behaved and gentle with children.

American Staffordshire Terriers were first bred in the 19^th Century in the English region of Staffordshire as a mix between English Bulldogs and the White English Terrier, Fox Terrier or Black and Tan Terrier.

Also known as Am Staffs, these dogs are described by the American Kennel Club as being a people-oriented dog who is loyal to its family and very protective of them. These dogs have the reputation for being dangerous and aggressive, mainly because they are often seen in dog fighting events.

Archie is available now through Smilin’ Pitbull Rescue in Stamford, Conn

The notoriety associated with pit bulls gives the breed a reputation based on myth and misinformation, not fact. Many pit bull owners will tell anyone willing to listen that their dogs are sweet, gentle, loving creatures. Their reputation, though, also gives predatory humans pause when seeing one with its owner or in a home.Their gentle true behavior combined with a ferocious reputation makes them nearly ideal family pets.

Pit bulls’ reputation also means that some cities prevent dog owners from having this breed within their municipal boundaries. Here’s another example of how the ban in Ontario, Canada affects one person … who happens to be a Major League Baseball player.

Aerosol and Krylon are a bonded pair of females who were rescued from a highly abusive environment. Both are dog friendly and very loving.

The end result is this: there are a lot of unwanted, unwelcome pit bulls in shelters across the land.

If you are thinking about adopting a dog, you can’t go wrong with any breed. Just be sure the pet is a good match for you, your family and your environment.

To learn more about Pit Bulls, and possibly adopt one, visit any or all of these sites:

• Pit Bull Rescue Central has educational information and offers guidance to anyone considering adopting one of these dogs.
• Rescue Me has a list of pit bull rescue sites organized by state.
• Bad Rap provides information, training, owner support and rescue services nationwide. It was named as the #1 high-impact non-profit for Local Animal Welfare, Rights & Protection by Guidestar’s Philantropedia.
• Bull911 has a listing of groups nationwide dealing exclusively with pit bulls.
• Our Pack offers adoption, placement services and education, including same-sex pairings. It is based in South San Francisco.
• Shortywood is the rescue site that formed the basis of the television show “Pit Boss.” The shows stars “little person” Shorty Rossi, his family and staff as they rescue and help find homes for a breed he considers to be “as misunderstood as he is.”
• Out of the Pits showcases the true nature of pit bulls as a therapy, sport and working dog. It offers education, programs and adoptions.
• Ring Dog Rescue is dedicated to “bull breeds” with bulldog lineage. It offers adoption and foster services plus a calendar of events in Virginia.
• Small Time Dog Rescue & Dead Dog Walking Pit Bull Rescue is an Oregon-based group.
• Mayday Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy is a Phoenix, Ariz.-based group dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and placing pit bulls and pit bull mixes.
• Pit Sisters focuses its efforts on the northeast Florida area. It provides adoptions, events and resources for current and potential pit bull owners.
• Bless the Bullys is a small Tennessee non-profit rescue that also fights breed-specific legislation.
• Fugee’s Rescue is based in Raleigh, N.C. Its mission is to rescue, care for and rehome neglected, abused and homeless dogs, primarily pit bulls.
• Smilin’ Pit Bull Rescue based in the Northeast dedicated to find homes for unwanted and abandoned pit bulls.

This list of pit bull rescue sites could go on and on and on, just as it could for any dog breed. Please consider adopting a rescue dog or cat. You deserve a new best friend and they deserve you.

This post is brought to you as a public service by the Posh Puppy Boutique and David Reynolds, pet lovers all. The Posh Puppy Boutique sells stylish clothing and accessories for all breeds of dogs and cats. It does not sell pets.

Aiding Pets Helps A Client

This blog post generated nearly 300 hits in one day. A similar post got 15 hits in more than  two weeks.

Disclaimer

Some of my earlier blog posts have veered away from my stated purpose of providing marketing and communications tips. My blog has literally gone to the dogs … intentionally.

One of my clients sells clothing and accessories primarily to upscale dog owners. She is also the proud owner of several rescue dogs, just as I am. And she, like me, firmly believes that rescue pets make great life-long companions.

Savvy marketers, though, will see the purpose behind each of these posts: informing and educating potential clients while at the same time giving them more reasons for brand loyalty.

Pets are not like members of our family. They are members of our family, at least for some pet owners. Metrics cannot measure the emotional attachment some people have for their pets. Giving people reasons to think of your business in a positive light is always a great idea, especially when your message is trying to help people, not sell them something.

Information Works

As of noon Tuesday, Feb. 19, this post on the Posh Puppy Boutique blog had gotten 295 hits since it was posted one day earlier. It was listed as a public service announcement.

A similar post with a different headline—but the same photos and same essential links to Chihuahua rescue sites—had 15 hits. Key differences are:

• A headline that tugs on the heart strings—“Help Abandoned Chihuahuas Find Forever Homes”—gets more response than the label headline “Chihuahua Rescue Sites.”
• The post is “selling” clients on the idea of adopting and rescuing a pet, not “selling” them a product. However, the Posh Puppy name and logo appear prominently in both blog posts.
• A different, more extensive set of Google Key Words was used with the Posh Puppy piece than with the one appearing on this blog. The list of keywords (i.e., “tags”) and the 10 links to external sites helped boost the Posh Puppy post’s page ranking on Google. This means that more people were likely to see it. 

Blog Posts Are Only Part Of The Process

The Posh Puppy Boutique uses a variety of methods to attract and retain customers. Two blog posts each week, which I write, are only one of the ways this firm promotes itself.

Other methods used frequently—as in several times each day—are comments on Facebook and Twitter. Press releases mentioning the Posh Puppy name are distributed about every 10 days. This time frame is frequent enough to gain attention but not so often the messages get lost in the clutter or become boring.

Posh Puppy’s owner has gotten television coverage both locally in the Sacramento, Calif. region and nationally. Some of her products also grace the pages of national magazines.

Effective promotion takes a willingness to constantly expend money and energy promoting your business. Kudos to the Posh Puppy Boutique for doing just that.

Use Google’s Free Key Word Tool, Excel to Boost SEO

Google's Key Word search tool.

Having the best web site on the planet is a waste of money and time if no one can find it.

Search engine optimization helps people, especially potential customers, find your site. A technique I use with nearly every document I create will help you increase your visibility and make it easier for your clients to find you.

You will need to have a copy of Microsoft Excel and internet access first. It also assumes your original document is created in Word.

The left KeyWords panel.

Google AdWords

Start by going to the Google AdWords page. You do not need a Google AdWords account to get started. Now follow these steps:

1. Complete the security step.
2. Enter the term or terms you want to look for.
3. Check the left-hand list and ensure you have [Exact] or “Phrase” marked or your list will have terms unrelated to your needs.
4. After getting your basic list of terms, sort it.
5. Start by clicking on Competition in the keyword pane. Click until you see Low.
6. Go to Local Monthly Searches (searches for these terms in the US only) and start adding terms.

The "Competition" section.

 

Excel Steps

That finishes the Google part. Now you need to copy those terms and paste them into Excel.

Follow these steps to create what I have on the second spreadsheet.

1. Use the “Paste Special” and select “Values” to put your terms in a column.
2. Use Search and Replace (Ctrl-H in Windows) to find and eliminate extra characters such as brackets.
3. Do a Data, Sort to organize your terms alphabetically if you wish.
4. Assuming your terms start in Cell A2 (A1 is a heading), put this text in Cell B2: =A2
5. Now put this formula in Cell B3: =B2&“; ”&A3
6. That tells Excel to copy the contents of cell B2, add a semicolon (Word wants semicolons) followed by a space, then copy the contents of Cell A3
7. Use the Autofill command (Crtl-D in Windows) to fill your list
8. Now take your final cell, copy it, and repeat the Paste Special, Values in a blank cell.

Word Tips

Copy the version you just pasted without formulas (the Paste Special, Value one) and place it in the Tags section of your Word document. You’ll find that when performing the Save or Save As functions.

The good news is that if you save the tags in a Word version, it also saves them in every other version you create, such as HTML for web pages or Adobe PDFs.

More Tips

Some programs such as Word use semicolons to separate key words, also known as tags. Other programs, and many web sites, use commas as separators. You might wish to make two or more lists because of this.

One list would be sorted alphabetically while another is done by priority. That way your most important terms appear first. Since some free press release distribution sites limit the number of key words, that can be critical.

You can also copy your formula into a different column and replace the semicolon with a comma. Be sure to change your “B” column to the one you are now using.

Have a Big Heart: Adopt A Homeless Big Dog Today

Gentle Giants rescues dogs of all large breeds.

I posted a list of 10 websites that help people rescue unwanted Chihuahuas not too long ago.

While Chihuahuas are among the tiniest of dog breeds—and also very popular, especially in urban settings where space is at a premium—some folks like their dogs a little larger.

According to Just Dog Breeds, some of the largest “giant” breeds include Mastiffs, Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees and Great Danes.

Popular large breeds, which are smaller than the giants but still considered big pooches, are: Golden Retrievers, Alaskan Malamutes, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers, English Setters and Coonhounds.

Each breed has its own distinct temperament but as with any dog, the way it is treated generally determines its disposition. I’ve know a “ferocious” Rottweiler that was more likely to lick you to death then bit you, for example.

Jasper is one of many dogs available for adoption through Homeless Hounds.

This is only a partial list of the many rescue groups specializing in large dog breeds. Your best bet is to always start with your local animal shelter. Many shelters get dogs of all sizes, genders, breeds and disposition, including paperless pure-breds. Some shelters will even contact others then call you when they have the breed you are looking for.

·  Gentle Giants Rescue is based in California and deals with all large breeds including giant breeds such as Great Danes and Mastiffs.

·  Homeless Hounds is based in Sonoma County in Northern California. It deals with dogs of all breeds, from large to small and in-between.

·  West Coast Mastiff & Large Breed Rescue saves primarily Mastiffs, Great Danes and St. Bernards plus other giant breeds.

·  Big Dawgs Rescue is located in the East Bay community of Livermore, Calif.

·  California Great Dane Rescue helps find homes for this giant breed.

·  Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue has dogs that always fostered, never kenneled and temperament tested as well.

·  The Golden Retriever Club of America National Rescue Committee has links and connections to many local breed-specific groups.

·  Rottweiler Rescue Sites Nationwide has state by state listing for this large breed, including five in California alone.

·  Gulfstream Guardian Angels Rottweiler Rescue is based in Miami and helps find forever homes for these large, loveable, loyal dogs.

·  Doberman Pinscher Rescue USA & Canada has listings of various Doberman rescue groups in North America, including by state.

·  Hand Me Down Dobes is based in Ohio and serves several surrounding states. “The Doberman is intelligent and eager to please, making a loyal and devoted pet. When young, most are energetic and playful needing consistent exercise and attention,” just like any other breed.

·  The American German Shepherd Rescue Association was created, “as a fund raising group to operate programs which protect the German Shepherd Dog from suffering due to cruelty, homelessness, ignorance, neglect and misuse. This site includes a list of rescue groups by state.

·   Central California Labrador Retriever Rescue covers California’s Central Valley from Sacramento to Merced. It has generally has young dogs and senior citizens available for immediate adoption.

·  Lab Rescue of LRCP covers the Mid Atlantic Region. Its function is finding homes for Labs.

·  Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue includes board members from across the nation, though the group is based in Lancaster, Penn.

·  Love of Breeds has listings of rescue sites for many breeds, including English Setters.

This is just a partial list of a few rescue groups dealing with large dog breeds. Five minutes of searching on-line will help point you in the direction of a breed and group where your new best friend is waiting. Have a heart and save a life: Adopt a homeless dog (or cat) today.

Chihuahua Rescue Sites

Chloe is a rescue and  I believe pure Chihuhua.

This is a partial list of internet sites helping find forever homes for Chihuahuas. If you are looking for a small dog, your first stop should always be your local Animal Shelter.

Many homeless dogs—including purebreds—end up at these shelters only to be told later on there is no room or budget for them. Many local shelters also keep lists of breeds people want, then call them when dogs matching your description arrive.

When local animal shelters and rescue groups do not have the pet you want, consider adopting a Chihuahua from one of these organizations. Similar sites exist for all breeds.

Lucas (front) and Tinkerbelle came from shelters. 

·  Chihuahua Rescue states it has saved more than 5,000 lives to date.

·  Chihuahua Rescue and Transport places Chihuahuas and mixes in approved homes.

·  Adopt-A-Chihuahua allows prospective pet parents to enter their search parameters, including distance.

·  Chihuahua Rescue Shelter lists groups rescuing this breed by state. It also has lists of similar groups in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

·  Famous Chihuahua focuses on dog and puppy mills nationwide, helping to find homes for the many dogs rejected by these business as being imperfect and therefore unsellable.

·  NetPets has a list of Chihuahua organizations and contacts for people in those groups, including Chihuahua Rescue and Transport.

·  New Chihuahua Connection also has a list of various rescue groups nationwide.

·  AZ Chihuahua Rescue is an Arizona-based group dedicated to providing “big hearts for little dogs.”

·  Second Chance Chihuahua Rescue is based in Nixa, Mo.

·  Ay Chihuahua is based in Central Texas that fosters Chis needing homes.

Also consider checking out the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and American Humane Society sites regardless of breed. They can help you find shelters in your area.

This posting is brought to you as a public service of the Posh Puppy Boutique.

Hot Wire Makes Round Pens Affordable

A basic round pen using peeler core posts, wire and a metal gate.

Horse owners will tell you that small corrals and outdoor stalls are great places for your horse to stand. Arenas are perfect for larger activities and letting horses run, jump and burn off steam. But when it comes to having an area designed to work with a horse, both are inappropriate.

Stalls are too small and arenas are too big. The solution is an area between them: a round pen.

Round pens vary in size with the most common being 60 feet in diameter. Sizes range from as small as 40 feet to as large as 120 feet. Your diameter depends on your use: smaller pens work fine if you are only going to exercise your horse with a lead rope. Larger pens are better if you plan on riding inside it.

Opinions on sizes and materials vary depending on who you talk to. Your best sources are people whose horses are of breeds, ages and temperaments similar to your own. Fond out what they like and why.

Caution: Use these prices for comparison purposes only. Prices will vary depending on your location.

Close-up of the gate and capped core posts. 

Locating Your Round Pen

 You will need to find a good spot—preferably flat and level—for your round pen. If you are going to use hot wire, you will either need to have the pen close to an outdoor electrical outlet or use direct current or solar power to energize your wire.

Also ensure that you have good footing. Ideally have 4 inches of sand atop a material such as decomposed granite and/or rock for drainage.

It is also a good idea to have your round pen near your horse’s stall so they feel safe and secure.

Common Materials—Steel Panels

The materials used in building round pens vary, partly depending on the climate with cost playing a major role for many people.

Pre-made 12-foot by 5-foot steel corral panels.

Premade steel panels are the easiest materials to work with, but also the most expensive. The advantage is you can have a round pen set-up and ready to go—excluding the gate—in less than two hours. Attaching a gate to a wooden post set in concrete may take several hours to dig plus a day or more for your concrete to cure.

Using a 60-foot diameter pen (multiple by the diameter by pi or 3.14 to get the circumference) as an example, your circumference is about 188 feet. This translates to either 180, which actually means 15 12-foot panels or 19 (190 foot circumference) 10-footers. These measurements include a gate. Premade 6-rail steel panels about 5 feet tall will often run between $90-$120 each. Gates can easily top $120 alone.

These panels use an interlocking design making them impossible for a spooked horse to go through, which can be an advantage with some horses.

Common Materials--Wood

Many people use wood as an alternative to steel both for the cost and the ability to customize their round pen to the size and shape of the available space. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages.

The most common post materials are:

·  Peeler cores: These are round, typically about 8 feet long—which means 6 feet above ground—and relatively inexpensive. Four-inch diameter cores 8 feet long made with pressure treated wood run about $9 each at Home Depot. Six-inch diameter peeler cores cost $17 each at Home Depot.

·  Redwood posts: Square redwood posts come in a variety of sizes, including 4-inch by 4-inch ($19 for a 10-foot length) and 6-by-6-inch, and lengths up to 20 feet. Redwood is hearty, durable and will not poison your horses.

·  Pressure treated fir: This material offers a less expensive alternative ($9.97 at Home Depot for 4x4x8 hemp fir) to redwood. The drawback is most pressure treatments, which are designed to prevent insect damage, use highly toxic arsenic.

Using wood also requires wood or vinyl rails, wire fencing, electrified “hot wire”—which is the focus of this article—or a combination of the above.

Electrical tape is wide and more visible than wire. This displays shows several common arrangements.

 

T-Posts And Hot Wire

Metal T-posts, named for their triangular shape, are an inexpensive alternative to wood or steel panels. You will still need at least one wood post for your gate, though.

The chief downside of using T-posts is that they can be bent easily. Using electrified wire that gives your horse—or if it gets touched, you—a jolt generally keeps that from happening.

A similar display using wire.

Assuming you want to build a 60-foot diameter round pen, and plan to install a 12-foot gate, your circumference is about 168 feet. Spacing your posts every 8 feet requires 21 posts. Spacing them every 6 feet requires 28 posts.

T-posts come in a variety of lengths. One of the most common sizes is 6 feet, which cost $5.38 each at Home Depot.

To drive in the posts you will need a sledgehammer or T-post driver, which is a heavy metal cap that goes over the top and has handles on both sides.

Hot wire comes in both wire and tape designs. Tape is wider and more visible. Wire is smaller but just as effective since both carry current.

Basic Equipment For Hot Wire

The simplest design is attaching insulators to each T-post with 3 to 6 rows of wire per post. Wires should be spaced about 1 foot apart vertically. Hot wire and tape typically comes in rolls of about 600 and 656 feet, requiring one roll for three rows, two rolls for more than three rows.

You will also need tensioners for each row to keep the wire or tape straight.

Pre-packaged gate kits contain all the essential elements you need to connect your fence to a gate.

You will also need a grounding rod regardless of your power source.

Power Sources

A solar panel power source.

There are several options for powering a hot wire fence depending both your electrical skill and the location of your pen.

If your pen is near an outdoor electrical outlet, you can purchase a power panel that will handle 2 miles of wire for about $100.

If your pen is not close to an electrical supply, your options are to use a direct current source (About $80)—some versions can use 4 “D” cell batteries or a car battery—or solar power. Solar power stations give you the most freedom of location but start at $169 to power 2 miles of fencing.

The Bottom Line

You can build a 60-foot diameter round pen for between $500-$600 using hot wire and T-posts. This figure does not include your gate nor any materials for footing, which is critical to your horse’s health.

A similar set-up using premade steel panels is about $1,500 including gate but excluding one post and footing materials.

A display of electric fencing components at a local feed store.