diff --git a/Tactical/Handle Items.cpp b/Tactical/Handle Items.cpp
index 4045f0759..413e9b58e 100644
--- a/Tactical/Handle Items.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Handle Items.cpp	
@@ -5997,12 +5997,12 @@ BOOLEAN BuildFortification( UINT32 flag )
 	if ( gusSelectedSoldier == NOBODY )
 		return FALSE;
 
-	if( (gTacticalStatus.uiFlags & INCOMBAT) && (gTacticalStatus.uiFlags & TURNBASED) )
+	// comment this in to forbid building while enemies are around
+	/*if( (gTacticalStatus.uiFlags & INCOMBAT) && (gTacticalStatus.uiFlags & TURNBASED) )
 	{
 		return FALSE;
 	}
-
-	/* // comment this in to forbid building while enemies are around
+		
 	if( gWorldSectorX != -1 && gWorldSectorY != -1 && gWorldSectorX != 0 && gWorldSectorY != 0 && 
 		NumEnemiesInAnySector( gWorldSectorX, gWorldSectorY, gbWorldSectorZ ) > 0 )
 	{
diff --git a/Tactical/Points.cpp b/Tactical/Points.cpp
index b86353c57..12b32d906 100644
--- a/Tactical/Points.cpp
+++ b/Tactical/Points.cpp
@@ -3481,13 +3481,8 @@ INT16 GetAPsToBuildFortification( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier, INT32 usMapPos )
 	INT16						sAPCost = 0;
 
 	sAPCost = PlotPath( pSoldier, usMapPos, NO_COPYROUTE, NO_PLOT, TEMPORARY, (UINT16)pSoldier->usUIMovementMode, NOT_STEALTH, FORWARD, pSoldier->bActionPoints );
-
-	// If point cost is zero, return 0
-	if ( sAPCost != 0 )
-	{
-		// ADD APS TO PICKUP
-		sAPCost += APBPConstants[AP_FORTIFICATION];
-	}
+		
+	sAPCost += APBPConstants[AP_FORTIFICATION];
 
 	return sAPCost;
 
diff --git a/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp b/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp
index 4cf684e36..84fadf9ff 100644
--- a/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp	
@@ -14392,6 +14392,11 @@ void SOLDIERTYPE::EVENT_SoldierBuildStructure( INT32 sGridNo, UINT8 ubDirection
 		else
 			this->ChangeSoldierState( CUTTING_FENCE, 0, 0 );
 
+		// ugly, ugly hack: as e do not have a special animation for this action, we use the 'cut a fence' animations
+		// however, APs are directly deducted because of this. So we can't use the AP_FORTIFICATION costs
+		// for this reason, we deduct the APS still missing here
+		INT16 restAPs = max(0, APBPConstants[AP_FORTIFICATION] - APBPConstants[AP_USEWIRECUTTERS]);
+		
 		if ( HasItemFlag(this->inv[ HANDPOS ].usItem, (FULL_SANDBAG|CONCERTINA)) )
 		{
 			// Build the thing
@@ -14404,6 +14409,8 @@ void SOLDIERTYPE::EVENT_SoldierBuildStructure( INT32 sGridNo, UINT8 ubDirection
 				StatChange( this, STRAMT, 4, TRUE );
 				StatChange( this, HEALTHAMT, 2, TRUE );
 
+				DeductPoints( this, restAPs, 0, AFTERACTION_INTERRUPT );
+
 				fSuccess = TRUE;
 			}
 		}
@@ -14432,8 +14439,31 @@ void SOLDIERTYPE::EVENT_SoldierBuildStructure( INT32 sGridNo, UINT8 ubDirection
 						StatChange( this, STRAMT, 1, TRUE );
 						StatChange( this, HEALTHAMT, 1, TRUE );
 
+						DeductPoints( this, restAPs, 0, AFTERACTION_INTERRUPT );
+
 						fSuccess = TRUE;
 					}
+					else
+					{
+						fullsandbagnr = 2824;
+						if ( HasItemFlag(fullsandbagnr, FULL_SANDBAG) )
+						{
+							// Erase 'material' item from our hand - we 'used' it to build the structure
+							INT8 bObjSlot = HANDPOS;
+
+							CreateItem( fullsandbagnr, 100, &gTempObject );
+
+							SwapObjs( this, bObjSlot, &gTempObject, TRUE );
+
+							// we gain a bit of experience...
+							StatChange( this, STRAMT, 1, TRUE );
+							StatChange( this, HEALTHAMT, 1, TRUE );
+
+							DeductPoints( this, restAPs, 0, AFTERACTION_INTERRUPT );
+
+							fSuccess = TRUE;
+						}
+					}
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -14458,8 +14488,32 @@ void SOLDIERTYPE::EVENT_SoldierBuildStructure( INT32 sGridNo, UINT8 ubDirection
 					StatChange( this, STRAMT, 3, TRUE );
 					StatChange( this, HEALTHAMT, 2, TRUE );
 
+					DeductPoints( this, restAPs, 0, AFTERACTION_INTERRUPT );
+
 					fSuccess = TRUE;
 				}
+				else
+				{
+					fullsandbagnr = 2824;
+					if ( HasItemFlag(fullsandbagnr, FULL_SANDBAG) )
+					{
+						// Erase 'material' item from our hand - we 'used' it to build the structure
+						INT8 bObjSlot = HANDPOS;
+
+						CreateItem( fullsandbagnr, 100, &gTempObject );
+
+						// now add a tripwire item to the floor, simulating that activating tripwire deactivates it
+						AddItemToPool( sGridNo, &gTempObject, 1, 0, 0, -1 );
+
+						// we gain a bit of experience...
+						StatChange( this, STRAMT, 3, TRUE );
+						StatChange( this, HEALTHAMT, 2, TRUE );
+
+						DeductPoints( this, restAPs, 0, AFTERACTION_INTERRUPT );
+
+						fSuccess = TRUE;
+					}
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/Tactical/UI Cursors.cpp b/Tactical/UI Cursors.cpp
index f5a328781..a4a74796b 100644
--- a/Tactical/UI Cursors.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/UI Cursors.cpp	
@@ -2162,6 +2162,8 @@ UINT8 HandleFortificationCursor( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier, INT32 sGridNo, UINT32 ui
 		{
 			return( FORTIFICATION_RED_UICURSOR );
 		}
+		else
+			return( FORTIFICATION_RED_UICURSOR );
 	}
 
 	if ( HasItemFlag( (&(pSoldier->inv[HANDPOS]))->usItem, (SHOVEL)) )
@@ -2172,6 +2174,8 @@ UINT8 HandleFortificationCursor( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier, INT32 sGridNo, UINT32 ui
 		{
 			return( FORTIFICATION_GREY_UICURSOR );
 		}
+		else
+			return( FORTIFICATION_RED_UICURSOR );
 	}
 
 	// can we build something here?