How it's done
Comparing Fencing Quotes Without Getting Caught Out
Comparing quotes is not about finding the lowest figure, it is about making three quotes describe the same job so the figures mean something.
Three quotes for one boundary usually describe three different jobs. Until you have made them describe the same job, the prices are not comparable, and the lowest one is often the one that has left the most out.
Use the checklist below as questions to ask, ideally in writing, and the gaps between quotes usually explain themselves within a couple of replies.
The eight things every quote should state
None of these are unreasonable to ask for. A contractor who works this way already has the answers to hand.
- The finished height and the boarding style, named rather than implied
- Post type and how deep they are being set
- Whether gravel boards, capping and post caps are included
- Metreage, with each leg of the boundary listed separately
- Removal and licensed disposal of the existing fence and any spurs
- Whether the price assumes vehicle access or a carry through the property
- How long the work will take and roughly when it can start
- Payment terms, and what happens if something unexpected turns up in the ground
Warning signs worth taking seriously
Most disputes about fencing start with vagueness rather than dishonesty. A price with no specification behind it leaves both sides free to remember the conversation differently.
- A single figure with no breakdown and no specification
- Verbal assurances about disposal that never appear in writing
- Pressure for a large payment before any materials arrive
- No mention at all of the old fence, as though it will remove itself
Questions that separate a keen price from a thin one
Ask what happens if a post hole hits old concrete. Ask what the fence will look like where it meets the neighbour's existing run. Ask who takes the waste. The answers tell you how much thought went into the figure.
How we quote
We measure, write down what we are fitting, price it as one fixed figure and leave you with it. Ask us anything on 07885907880, including about someone else's quote if that is what you need.
Frequently asked
How many fencing quotes should I get?
Two or three is plenty, provided you make them describe the same specification. More quotes on vague descriptions just adds noise.
Is the cheapest fencing quote always a problem?
Not always, but it deserves the most questions. Usually the gap is post type, disposal or access rather than a genuine difference in efficiency.
Should a quote be in writing?
Always. A written specification protects you and the contractor equally, because it records what was agreed rather than what each side remembers.
Is it normal to pay a deposit for fencing?
A reasonable contribution towards materials is common. Large up front sums before anything is ordered or delivered are worth questioning.
What if something unexpected is found in the ground?
Ask how that is handled before work starts. A sensible quote says what happens if old footings or concrete appear, rather than leaving it open.
Happy to be one of your quotes
We measure, write down exactly what we are fitting, and give you one fixed figure. Ask us about anyone else's quote too if that helps.