What this tool does
Estimate pens, fence/rail systems, posts, gates, concrete, working equipment, labor, and total corral or working-facility cost.
Use this tool when
- Planning a new livestock handling area.
- Comparing materials or layout alternatives.
- Building a materials/equipment budget before obtaining supplier or contractor pricing.
Before you begin
Gather the project information you already know. Leave Optional or Advanced fields alone until you need them, and review every editable assumption before relying on the result.
Recommended workflow
1. Choose planning mode
Use Quick Dimensions for component-based planning or Plan Mode for a drawn layout when available.
2. Add pens and runs
Define holding/sorting/crowd/trap pens, alleys, tubs, loading areas, fence lines, and other layout elements.
3. Choose material system
Configure steel pipe, pipe+sucker rod, panels, wood rails, wire in low-pressure areas, or custom assumptions.
4. Add gates, posts, and concrete
Enter gate details, post spacing, terminal posts, hole dimensions, concrete assumptions, and hardware.
5. Add working equipment
Include optional chute, headgate, alley sections, tub, scale, loading chute, catwalk, or custom equipment.
6. Add labor/equipment costs
Include welding/general labor, auger/skid steer, concrete labor, freight, tax, and contingency; then review the BOM and total.
Key results
- Fence or rail footage.
- Posts and gates.
- Concrete quantity.
- Working-equipment items.
- Materials/labor/equipment subtotals.
- Bill of materials.
- Total estimated cost.
- Cost per linear foot or cost per pen where applicable.
Save, export, and share
For meaningful work, use Save Project to create a .ra file before leaving. Use Export for reports/data and Share for email or copied summaries. The exact export formats available depend on the tool.
Important planning note
Corral estimates are planning estimates, not structural or livestock-handling engineering certification. Final dimensions, structural design, fabrication, footing, gates, and equipment should be verified for the intended operation and conditions.
Related help
- About RanchAssist
.raProject Files - Export and Share Overview
- Understanding Corral Cost Estimator Results and Calculations
- Troubleshooting Corral Cost Estimator
