Planning
What affects the price of a new fence (and how to get an accurate quote)
Length is only part of it. Height, style, gates, slope, access and old-fence removal all change the price. Here is what to measure before you ask.
Abbey Cedar Products 2 min read
Two fences of the same length can have very different prices. If you know what drives the cost, it is easier to compare quotes and decide where to spend.
The main things that change the price
- Length. Most fences are priced by the linear foot or by the panel, so the total run matters most.
- Height. Taller panels use more material and need sturdier posts.
- Style and material. A solid cedar privacy panel, a lattice top, horizontal boards and cedar-and-steel all use different amounts of material and labour.
- Gates. Each gate needs bracing, hardware and careful setting. A wide driveway gate is a project of its own.
- Slope and ground. Sloped lots need stepped or racked panels. Rocky or root-filled ground makes post holes slower.
- Access. If materials and tools have to be carried through a narrow side yard, the job takes longer.
- Removing the old fence. Taking down and disposing of an old fence is real work. Check whether a quote includes it.
- Custom sizes. Non-standard heights or widths are usually possible, but they are built to order.
What to measure before you ask for a quote
- The total length, in feet. A rough figure is fine to start.
- The height you want, and whether it changes anywhere (for example lower at the front).
- How many gates, and how wide.
- Any slopes, retaining walls or trees along the line.
- Whether an old fence needs to come out.
Supply only or installed?
If you are comfortable building, buying panels and materials and doing the work yourself can make sense. If you want it done once and done right, an installed quote covers the materials, labour, removal and clean-up in one price.
See how installation works or buying panels for your own build.
Getting an accurate number
A site visit is the most accurate way to price a fence, because slope, access and ground conditions are hard to judge from a description. In the meantime, our quote form asks for exactly the details above so we can come back with a useful number.
