01
Details that make an estimate useful
Write these items down before requesting a fence estimate. A clear request helps separate a complete scope from a rough guess.
- Exact address and the jurisdiction that reviews fence permits.
- Main purpose, such as privacy, pets, pool-adjacent use, or access.
- Approximate fence length and desired height.
- Preferred material and style direction.
- Number of gates, width, and single or double type.
- Old-fence removal and disposal needs.
- Slope, access, and any tight or obstructed areas.
- Association rules, easements, or neighbor-boundary concerns.
02
Gate details to include in the request
Gates are often the part of a fence project that needs the most measurement and hardware planning. Describe how you will use each opening.
- Number of gates needed and where they should open.
- Clear opening width for each gate.
- Single versus double gate configuration.
- Swing direction and which side should be hinged.
- Latch type and height for the people who use it.
- Slope transitions that affect gate clearance.
- Self-closing and self-latching requirements where the gate forms part of a pool barrier.
03
Compare written scopes before totals
Line up the work first. A lower total with less material, fewer gates, or no removal is not the same project.
Swipe across the table to compare all columns →
| Scope item | Why it changes the estimate |
|---|---|
| Length and material | Different lengths and products change posts, panels, and hardware. |
| Height | Height can affect materials, wind exposure, and local review. |
| Gate count and width | Gates add frames, hinges, latches, and alignment work. |
| Removal | Old-fence removal changes labor, disposal, and access. |
| Access and slope | Tight access, grade, and staging affect how work is planned. |
| Permit responsibility | Who applies and pays for permits should be written down. |
