A fence estimate priced by the linear foot.

What makes a fence quote different

Fencing is priced by the linear foot, and the two things that wreck a fence bid are gates buried in the footage and terrain nobody priced. The estimate has to show the footage and the per-foot rate as a calculation, put every gate on its own line, and say what happens when the auger hits rock.

• Linear feet, height, and material on the job block - the three numbers every price comes from, written where the client can see them.
• A fence-line-and-gates section above the line items for the run, the corners, the gate locations, and the terrain you walked.
• An item column for the per-foot install, gates, tear-out, post setting, and add-ons, so "6 ft cedar privacy, 150 ft" and "walk gate" and "old-fence tear-out" are separate visible prices.
• Footage at a stated rate, gates counted, and the materials deposit in the terms - the per-foot math shown, walk and drive gates counted, 50 percent before you order.
• Signatures, with a terrain-and-materials clause in the fine print - rock, roots, and slope may add a premium with approval, and materials are re-priced at order.

Pricing it

1. Write the footage times the per-foot rate on the terms line so the client sees the math. Our fence pricing guide carries 2026 per-foot benchmarks by material and height.
2. Every gate is a line item. Folding gates into the footage is how small operators quietly lose money.
3. Price tear-out separately, per foot, and more for concrete-set posts.
4. Take the materials deposit before you order and re-price lumber and panels at quote time, not from last month's number.

When the estimate should happen on the property line

Most fence quotes can be priced on the walk. FastEstimateMaker lets you snap the line and the gate spots, speak the footage and material, and text a signed-off estimate before you leave the driveway - with the deposit collected when they sign.

Questions contractors ask