A fencing quote should tell you more than the final price.
Before accepting a quote, you should be able to look at the document and clearly understand:
- Who you’re hiring
- What fence is being built
- What work is included
- What isn’t
- How much you’re paying
- When payments are due
- What happens if the scope changes
Start by obtaining a formal written quote, rather than relying on a casually delivered price over the phone or via text message.
Then verify the details before going further.
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12 Details To Check On Your Fencing Quote
Before accepting a fencing quote, check that it contains the important information relevant to your project.
This should generally include:
- Business name
- Building contractor licence number
- ABN
- Contact details – (Phone number, email)
- Customer and property details
- Quote details – (Quote date, reference number and expiry date where applicable.)
- Total quoted price
- Fence specifications – (E.g. fence length, height, style, profile, colour, posts, plinths, gates and hardware where relevant.)
- Clear scope of work
- Inclusions and exclusions
- Site-specific and technical information – (E.g. post depth, excavation, concrete cutting, access, known obstructions or how unforeseen site conditions will be handled.)
- Payment terms, variations and relevant conditions – (Including deposits, progress payments, final payment, changes to the agreed scope and other important terms.)
Not every fencing job requires the same level of technical detail. A straightforward fence on a clear boundary will naturally need less explanation than a project involving retaining walls, concrete cutting, difficult excavation, multiple gates or unusual site conditions.
The important thing is that the quote contains enough information to clearly document the particular job being agreed on.
Pay Extra Attention To This Quote Detail:
The scope of work that’s been written into the quote.
This is the section that explains what the contractor has actually agreed to do for the quoted price.
Depending on the project, the scope might include:
- Removing the existing fence
- Disposing of the old fencing
- Cutting through existing concrete
- Excavating post holes
- Supplying the fencing materials
- Installing the new fence
- Installing concrete plinths or sleepers
- Supplying and installing gates
- Cleaning the work area after completion
If you’re expecting the old fence to be demolished and taken away, don’t just assume that’s part of the price because it was discussed during the site visit.
Check that removal and disposal are actually included in the written scope!
Make sure your fencing quote covers all of the work you’re expecting to receive under the quoted price. That’s the main message of this entire article.
Check What’s Included in the Price
Important inclusions should be clearly written into the job description.
These could include tasks like fence removal, disposal, concrete, plinths, gates, latches, concrete cutting, material delivery and site cleanup.
It’s especially important on more complicated fencing projects where there may be several different parts to the work.
Check What’s Excluded
The exclusions are worth reading as well.
A fencing contractor may exclude work such as vegetation removal, site surveying, rock excavation, or work on existing structures.
Exclusions aren’t necessarily a problem, but they must be made clear rather than becoming a surprise halfway through the job.
Make Sure the Fence Itself Is Clearly Specified
The quote should also make it clear what fence you’re actually buying.
Depending on the project, you should expect details such as the length, fence height, fence style, colour, posts, plinths, gates and gate hardware to be written into your formal quote.
Technical information can also matter.
For example, if you’ve discussed a specific post depth, then that detail is worth documenting as part of the scope.
This is especially important for more complex projects.
What Happens if the Job Changes?
Fencing work can change after the original quote has been accepted.
You might decide to add another gate, change the materials, or request extra work.
There are also cases where something unexpected is discovered during work, such as underground concrete or rock that couldn’t be identified beforehand.
Your quote’s terms and conditions should explain how additional work and variations will be handled.
You should also understand the payment terms before accepting, including:
- The required deposit
- When progress payments are due
- When the final balance is due
- Any important customer responsibilities
- Other conditions attached to the quote
If It’s Not Written Down, Ask for It to Be Added
This is probably the core tip you should take from this article.
If you’ve discussed something with your fencing contractor and you’re expecting it to be included in the job, check the written quote.
If it’s missing, ask them to add it before you accept.
There’s nothing unreasonable about that.
It’s much easier for you and the contractor to clarify something before work begins than to have a confusing conversation about it halfway through the project.
The quote should give both sides a clear record of the agreed work.
Quick Legal Note for Larger Fencing Projects
Larger fencing projects can also be subject to specific building contract requirements under South Australian law. This article is intended as general information about what homeowners should look for in a fencing quote, rather than expert legal advice.
Before Accepting Your Final Fencing Quote
A good fencing quote doesn’t need to be complicated.
It should simply make the agreement clear.
Before accepting your quote, make sure you understand:
- Who you’re hiring
- What fence is being installed
- What work is included
- What isn’t
- What the total price is
- When payments are due
- What happens if the scope changes
At Calabria Fencing Adelaide, we provide written quotes that clearly document the proposed fencing work before you proceed.
If you’re planning a new fence or fence replacement in Adelaide, you can contact us to arrange a quote for your project.