How it's done
What Should a Fencing Quote Actually Include?
A proper fencing quote is a checklist in disguise, and most of the items on it are easy to confirm with one phone call before you sign anything.
A fencing quote that's just a single total figure tells you almost nothing useful. This page sets out, item by item, what a properly detailed quote should state, so you can hold any company's paperwork, including ours, up against it.
Figures below are indicative guide ranges based on the kind of work we quote across London and Hertfordshire — they are not a quotation. Every job is priced after a free site visit, and the written price we give is the price you pay.
The boundary itself: measured legs and post type
The quote should list each boundary leg with its own measured length rather than one blended total, and it should state the post type by name, timber or concrete, since that single choice affects how long the fence lasts. If a quote just says 'fencing to rear garden' with a lump sum and no leg-by-leg breakdown, ask for the measurements before you compare it against anything else.
Gravel boards, ironmongery and finishing details
Gravel boards, capping rail, post caps and any trellis toppers should be named individually so you know whether they're included or chargeable extras, and the same goes for ironmongery on any gate within the run, hinges, latches, locks and drop bolts. These are small items individually but they add up, and a quote that lists them by name is far easier to trust than one that lumps everything into 'fencing as discussed'.
- Gravel boards named as included or excluded, not left implied
- Post caps, capping rail and any trellis topper specified by size and material
- Gate ironmongery listed by type, not just 'hardware included'
Access, disposal and making good
The quote should state whether it assumes vehicle access to the boundary or a carry-through, whether removal and licensed disposal of the old fence is included, and who is responsible for making good the ground once old posts are dug out. These three items are the most commonly disputed after a job starts, precisely because they're the easiest to leave vague on paper.
VAT, guarantee and insurance
Confirm whether the headline figure includes VAT, since a quote presented without it can look cheaper than it is until the final invoice arrives. Ask, too, whether the work is covered by a written guarantee and whether the company carries public liability insurance, ours is fully insured to £5m and every job we complete is backed by a written guarantee, since that combination protects you if something goes wrong months after the crew has left.
Payment terms and how you're expected to pay
A proper quote states its payment terms plainly: what deposit, if any, is required, when the balance is due, and which payment methods are accepted. We accept debit and credit cards, bank transfer and cash, and we're clear about staging payments so there are no surprises on completion day. If a quote is silent on payment terms, ask before work starts rather than after.
Putting the checklist to use
Print or copy this list against any quote you receive, ours included, and mark off each item as stated, vague, or missing. A company confident in its pricing will have no problem confirming every line on the spot, and the exercise takes a few minutes but can save a genuinely awkward conversation once a fence is half built.
Frequently asked
What is the single most commonly missing item on a cheap fencing quote?
Disposal of the old fence, closely followed by whether the price assumes vehicle access or a carry-through.
Should a fencing quote show VAT separately?
Yes, or at minimum state plainly whether the headline figure includes it, so there's no surprise on the final invoice.
Is a written guarantee standard on fencing work?
It should be offered as standard by any reputable fencer; every job we complete is backed by a written guarantee.
What payment methods should I expect to be offered?
Most reputable fencing companies, including ours, accept debit and credit cards, bank transfer and cash, with terms confirmed upfront on the quote.
Does a quote need to name the post type?
Yes, timber and concrete posts behave very differently over time and the quote should state which is included, not leave it implied.
Should gate ironmongery be itemised on the quote?
Ideally yes, hinges, latches, locks and drop bolts listed individually rather than folded into a single 'hardware' line.
Is public liability insurance something I should ask about directly?
Yes, ask for confirmation and the cover level; we carry £5m public liability insurance as standard on every job.
Want this priced properly for your garden?
Free site visit across London and Hertfordshire, a written specification, and a fixed price. No obligation.