Builder versus equestrian specialist....what experiences have you had?

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YummyHorses

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So am just starting to get quotes and have met both general builders and equestrian specialists.

I think I have fairly simple needs:

1. Concrete base for american barn, large hay barn and horsewalker
2. Drainage for the yard
3. Pit for the muck trailer
4. Track entrance and yard area - track to the outdoor school and yard area - not sure yet on surface
5. Outdoor school - 60m by 30m with sand and rubber, lighting etc
6. Fencing, gates etc - fields, around yard and around the outdoor school

When I meet with the builders they suggest its well within capability and when I meet with the equestrian specialists they recommend I avoid the general builders as they dont know what they are doing....dont understand the needs of horses.

So what experiences has everyone had.....general builders are quoting less but am concerned that I could have a yard or school poorly built and have problems.

Guidance required.....thanks a lot
 
There are good and bad in both worlds (actualy they are the same world,they are both builders but one is a specialist). There are many traps for the unwary when building for horses . I have always thought that when building for horses ,its rather more like building a nuclear bunker than a house. :D
 
I sometimes think that anything with "equestrian" in the title is like something with "wedding" in the title - it costs double! Personally I would avoid the specialist except for the actual structure itself. The menage could possibly be an exception to this, however if you're prepared to research things yourself, could be done by locals.

I wouldn't have a builder do fencing and gates etc - it is usually cheaper to find a local farmer - thats what we did. He also removes out muckheap for us, and does work on the fields as we need him - so he's good to get to know.. We also had a general "man with a digger" dig the foundations and spread out the hardcore for the stable area and drive. If we were to do a menage (next on list!) we would have him do it. Our concrete was done by someone a friend knew - who I think was a local gypsy, and who did a great job.

The stable manufacturers wanted to do a lot of this work, but was more expensive. Funnily enough stables got built for years, perfectly well, without "equestrian experts"! We are currently doing a house up, and the builders are pushing to do the plumbing etc. It makes me want to run a mile when they want to start doing everything, and take it all out of your hands - as prices rocket. That could be just me - I want to root around for a good but cheap way!
 
I've used a general builder. He does a lot of work on farms anyway, putting up steel frame sheds etc and he had done one or two schools before. He was amazing. Much, much cheaper than the quotes I had from equestrian companies.

I think as long as you know what you want, ie slope on stables/barn to aid drainage, slatted concrete instead of smooth concrete for walkways etc, you should be fine. And put plenty of drains in your arena, then a general builder should be just as good. In my experience, anyway.
 
Thanks everyone, really helpful.

I am inclined to use an equestrian company for the school but cant get my head around using them for standard groundworks. Have been quoted about 30k for drainage, concrete for the american barn, hay barn and walker and putting in the pit for the muck. This feels a lot but maybe I am out of touch....

I have the american barn already so need to purchase a haybarn and a walker but plan on getting the walker second hand.

Thoughts on that price....its quite a large area I guess but its a lot of money.
 
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