What a complete fence quote includes
Fence quotes usually arrive as a price per foot. That number looks easy to compare, and it hides almost everything that decides whether the fence is still straight in five years.
Below grade is where fences are won and lost in this climate. Here is what should be on the page, and what each line is doing.
In the ground
The single biggest reason fences fail in Alberta is what happened below grade.
Post depth, as a number
Look for A depth in feet, and a statement that it is below the frost line.
Every post we set goes into concrete 4 to 5 feet below grade. A post that stops above the frost line will move, and every post that moves takes its panels with it.
Holes augered round, not dug square
Look for How the holes are made.
An augered hole leaves the surrounding soil undisturbed and lets concrete bear evenly on every side of the post.
Definition →Gate posts specified separately
Look for Gate posts called out on their own line, not lumped in with line posts.
A gate swings, and every swing levers the post. Gate posts get deeper footings and often heavier post stock than a line post.
Utility locate before digging
Look for A locate line, or a statement that it is handled.
We call Alberta One-Call before a single hole is dug. It is not optional and it is not a line worth saving money on.
Above grade
The details that decide whether a fence still looks deliberate after a few seasons.
Cap rail on vertical board fences
Look for A cap rail line.
The top of a fence board is end grain and drinks water fast. A cap rail covers it. Every board-on-board fence we build gets one.
Board gapping
Look for Any mention of spacing or expansion.
Wood moves with moisture and temperature. Boards need room to do it, or the fence buckles.
How the fence handles slope
Look for Whether the quote says stepped or racked.
A fence on a sloped lot has to either step down in sections or rack to follow the grade. Planning it in the design phase is what makes it look intentional rather than improvised.
Gate hardware
Look for The actual hinges and latches, and whether self-closing or lockable hardware is included.
Gate hardware carries the moving part of the fence and it is where a cheap component shows up first.
The job around the build
Work that happens whether or not it made it onto the page.
Removing and disposing of the old fence
Look for A demolition or disposal line if there is a fence there now.
Pulling posts set in concrete is real time, and the debris goes to a licensed facility.
Property line and survey
Look for Any mention of where the fence actually goes.
A fence on the wrong side of a line is an expensive thing to move later, and it is worth settling before anyone digs.
Permits and bylaws
Look for Who is checking height limits and setbacks.
Height rules vary by municipality. We handle permit support where a build needs it.
Definition →Site access
Look for Probably nothing. Ask anyway.
An auger that can drive the whole fence line is a different job from one where half the holes go in by hand behind a locked gate.
Definition →Send us the quote and we will walk you through it.
Bring us the written estimate you already have and we will go through it line by line so you understand what is in it, what is not, and what the words mean. No obligation and no pressure. If it covers everything above, we will tell you that too.
Common questions
How deep should fence posts be set in Alberta?
Below the frost line. We set every post in concrete 4 to 5 feet below grade. The most common fence failure in this climate is posts that were not deep enough, which shows up as leaning sections and gates that stop latching after the first winter.
Why does it matter whether a post hole is round or square?
An augered round hole leaves the surrounding soil undisturbed and lets the concrete bear evenly on all sides of the post. A hand-dug square hole disturbs more soil and loads the post unevenly.
Do gate posts need to be different from line posts?
Yes. A gate swings, and the leverage of that swing works the post constantly. Gate posts get deeper footings and often larger post stock than the line posts along the same run.
What is a cap rail and why does a fence need one?
A cap rail is a horizontal board covering the top ends of the vertical boards. Board ends are exposed end grain, which absorbs water far faster than the face of the board, so covering them is one of the cheapest ways to add years to a wood fence.
How does a fence handle a sloped yard?
It either steps down in discrete sections or racks to follow the grade continuously. Which one suits your lot depends on how steep it is and the fence style, and it is worth deciding at design rather than on site.
Checklists for other builds
Quoting more than one thing? Each build has its own list of what belongs in the document.