A fence quote should not be a number scribbled on the back of a card. The good ones spell out exactly what you are buying, so you can compare bids fairly and know nothing got quietly cut. Here is what an honest quote puts in writing.
What an honest fence quote should include
An honest fence quote puts the real details on paper instead of stopping at a price. That means the linear feet of fence, the post spacing, how deep the posts go, and that they are set in concrete. It should name the material and grade, the number and type of gates, and who hauls away the old fence. A quote that lists all of this is one you can actually trust and compare.
Posts, depth, and concrete on paper
The most important line is the one most bids leave off. The quote should say how deep the posts go and that they are set in concrete, not dirt. In our wet Snohomish County soil that single detail decides whether the fence lasts or leans. If a bid does not mention depth or concrete, it is not cheaper, it just moved the cost to your next winter. Ask for it in writing before you sign.
Gates, tear-out, and haul-away
Gates cost more than plain fence, so the quote should say how many, how wide, and what hardware. Then there is the old fence. Someone has to pull it out and haul it off, and that is real labor and dump fees. An honest quote lists tear-out and haul-away as line items so you know they are covered. A vague bid often means those show up later as a surprise add-on.
Permit, timeline, and warranty
A good quote names who pulls any permit if one is needed, and gives you a rough timeline instead of a shrug. It should also come with a written warranty on the work, so a problem later is their problem to fix, not a debate. We use a written warranty and one crew, no subcontractors, so the people who build your fence are the same people who stand behind it.
Red flags of a vague verbal bid
Be careful with a price shouted from the driveway with no paper behind it. A verbal bid with no depth, no concrete, no gate count, and no warranty is not a deal, it is a guess you are agreeing to pay for. The fix is easy. Ask for it in writing. A crew that does good work is happy to write it down. We give a free on-site quote that spells all of this out, so you know exactly what you are getting.
Common questions
Ours lists the feet, the gates, the post depth, the concrete, and who hauls the old fence away. The warranty terms live in the written contract you sign, where you can actually read them. Put it next to any other bid and compare line by line.
