How to price fencing jobs (per metre and per job)
A practical method to price fencing jobs by the metre or as a whole job, covering materials, labour, removing old fencing, access and extras.
RoughFigure3 min read
On this page
Learning how to price fencing jobs well makes a big difference to your profit. Fencing looks simple to price (“so much per metre”), but the jobs that lose money are usually the ones where a per-metre figure hid something: a slope, concrete to break out, an old fence to dispose of, or materials that went up since you last checked.
This guide gives you a method. Your actual prices depend on your costs, suppliers and area.
Per metre or per job?
A per-metre price is quick to give and easy for customers to understand. It works well for straightforward runs of a standard fence.
A job price is safer for anything unusual: gates, slopes, awkward access, short runs, or mixed fence types.
Many fencers use both: a per-metre figure to give a rough idea, then a full job price after a visit.
Step 1: materials
List every item for the run:
- posts (timber or concrete) and post mix or concrete;
- panels, or rails and boards for closeboard;
- gravel boards and post caps;
- fixings and brackets;
- gates, hinges and latches if needed.
Price them at what you’ll actually pay now, and add a margin. You’re buying them up front and carrying the risk. Recheck supplier prices regularly.
Step 2: labour
Estimate the hours for the team, including setting out, digging, concreting, fitting and clearing up. Labour per metre goes up for:
- slopes, where panels need stepping or boards need cutting;
- hard ground, roots or rubble;
- breaking out concrete from old posts;
- access, where everything has to be carried through a house or down a long path.
Step 3: removing the old fence
Taking down and disposing of an old fence is often underpriced. Include the time to take it down, dig out old posts or concrete, and the cost of disposal or tip fees. Price it as a separate line so customers can see what they’re paying for.
Step 4: travel, overheads and profit
Add travel, a share of your overheads (van, tools, insurance, phone, advertising) and profit. Our guide on how to price a job explains each step, and our free pricing calculator does the sums.
Step 5: turn it into a per-metre range
Once you’ve priced a few typical jobs properly, divide the totals by the length to get a realistic per-metre range for each fence type. Then add separate prices for gates, removal of old fencing and difficult access. That gives you a sensible ballpark to share with customers. See how to give a ballpark price.
Questions to ask before quoting
- How long is the run, and what height?
- What type of fence: panels, closeboard, featheredge, picket?
- Timber or concrete posts?
- Is there an old fence to remove? Concrete posts?
- Is the ground level or sloping?
- Can materials be brought close, or do they go through the house?
- Any gates?
An instant estimator for fencers asks customers these questions online and shows a range, so you arrive knowing the basics.
Avoiding disputes about boundaries
Fences often sit on boundaries. Make sure the customer confirms where the fence goes, and suggest they speak to their neighbour first. Put it in your quote: “Customer to confirm the line of the fence and any agreement with neighbours.” See how to write a quote.
Questions
How do I price a fence on a slope?
Allow more labour for stepping panels or cutting boards, and possibly more materials. Many fencers add a percentage for sloping ground.
Should I include removing the old fence?
Price it, but as a separate line. Customers can see the cost, and it stops the main price looking higher than competitors who leave it out.
How often should I update fencing prices?
Whenever material prices change noticeably. Check supplier prices before every quote for large jobs.
