Guide
How to estimate the cost of a fence
A fence costs its materials, the labor to put them up, a few extras and the tax. Here is how to add them up without forgetting anything.
1. Measure the line
The fence length, its corners and its gates decide everything else. Walk it, or draw it on a satellite map — see How to measure a fence line.
2. Count the materials
- Posts, by type: end, corner, gate, line — see How many fence posts.
- Between the posts: panels, rails and pickets, or rolls of mesh and wire.
- Concrete bags — see Concrete per fence post.
- Hardware: post caps, brackets, screws, staples, tension wire, gate hardware, stain.
- The gates themselves.
3. Add waste
Cuts and breakage eat material. A margin of 5 to 15 percent on what is cut or used up covers it.
4. Price each line
Use your supplier's current prices, with the pack sizes you actually buy: a box of screws, a roll of wire, a bag of concrete.
5. Add labor, extras and tax
Labor per foot or meter of fence, or a fixed amount. Extras such as removing the old fence, delivery or a permit. Then the tax rate that applies to you, on the subtotal.
Do it in one place
Fence Calc follows these steps in order: the line, the materials, your prices, labor, extras and tax, up to the project total and a PDF quote. It never invents a price: you enter yours. See Cost estimate.
