Free contractor estimating tool

Fence Estimate Calculator: Materials, Labor & Margin

Build a planning estimate for a straight-run wood privacy fence. Adjust every material allowance and cost, then compare estimated job cost with a quote based on your target gross margin. Nothing is sent to a server.

1. Fence layout

Total fence length, including gates (ft)

Separate straight runsRuns are treated as disconnected; shared corner posts are not deducted.

Maximum post spacing (ft)

Number of gates

Opening width per gate (ft)

Exposed picket width (in)Single-layer pickets; board-on-board requires a different allowance.

Gap between pickets (in)

Horizontal rail rows

Rail stock length (ft)

Picket/rail waste allowance (%)

Actual post count (optional)Overrides the conservative gate-post allowance.

Concrete bags per post

2. Your actual unit costs

Cost per post ($)

Cost per picket ($)

Cost per rail stock piece ($)

Cost per concrete bag ($)

Gate materials per gate ($)

Other materials & fasteners ($)

Total crew labor hours

Loaded labor cost per hour ($)

Hauling, disposal & permits ($)

Allocated job overhead ($)

Target gross margin (%)Gross margin is not the same as markup.

3. Estimate summary

Illustrative quote before sales tax—

Planning quantity	Estimate
Solid fence length	—
Posts (including gate allowance)	—
Pickets (including waste)	—
Rail stock pieces (including waste)	—
Concrete bags	—
Gates	—

Cost and margin

Total estimated job cost	—
Materials	—
Labor	—
Hauling, permits & overhead	—
Target gross profit	—
Estimated gross margin	—

Calculations use the editable assumptions on this page.

Choose software using your real jobs

Once you have a materials-and-labor estimate, test whether your software can turn it into a customer quote, record revisions, schedule the work, and track final job cost. See the fence contractor software evaluation guide and software ROI calculator.

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