What Actually Drives the Price of a Fence

Two identical-looking fences can differ substantially in price. These are the things that move the number.

Length and height, obviously

Height compounds. A six-foot fence needs more material than a four-foot one and also deeper posts and more concrete, so the cost does not scale in a straight line.

This is why doubling the height is more than doubling the price.

Material and grade

Pine, cedar, redwood, vinyl and metal sit at different points, and within each there are grades. Two cedar quotes can be a long way apart for good reason.

Get the grade in writing rather than just the species.

Style and construction

Board-on-board uses considerably more timber than a standard vertical fence. Horizontal needs closer posts and better stock. Both cost more than they look.

The style you choose changes the build, not just the appearance.

Ground and access

Rock, roots, hard clay and slope all lengthen the dig. Material that has to be carried through a house or down a narrow return adds real hours.

On a tight Los Angeles lot access is sometimes the largest single variable.

Removal and gates

Taking out an old fence with concrete footings is genuine labour, and every gate is a small project in itself with its own posts and hardware.

Both should appear as separate lines in a written quote so you can see what you are paying for.