Everyone wants a good price, and there are honest low quotes. The trouble is that two fence quotes with very different totals often describe two very different fences. The cheapest quote usually gets there by changing something you cannot see on the page: what is in the ground, what is in the boards, who is on the crew or what happens if something goes wrong.
Where cheap quotes cut corners
| What can be cut | What can go wrong | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Post depth and setting | Posts set shallow or without concrete lean and rot early in clay soil that swells and shrinks. This is the most common reason a fence fails. | How deep are the posts, what are they set in and how far apart are they? |
| Post material | Wood posts rot at the ground line. Steel posts or properly treated posts last longer. | What are the posts made of and how are they rated? |
| Board grade and thickness | Thin or low-grade pickets warp, split and gap. Pine looks like cedar until it ages. | What species, grade and thickness are the boards? Can I see a sample? |
| Fasteners and rails | Staples and thin rails sag. Screws or ring-shank nails and extra rails hold up better. | What fasteners and how many rails? |
| Gates | Light gates sag in a season if the posts and hardware are too light. | What are the gate frame, hinges and post size? |
| Old fence removal and haul-off | A quote that leaves out demolition becomes a surprise charge. | Is tear-out and disposal included? |
| HOA and permit help | A fence built without approval can be ordered down. Cheap quotes often leave this to you. | Who handles the HOA application and any permit? |
| No insurance | A crew with no liability or workers' compensation coverage can leave you exposed. If a worker is hurt on your property, or a crew breaks a water line, a sprinkler system or a neighbor's fence, there may be no insurer to pay, and the claim can come to you. Skipping insurance is one of the easiest ways for a contractor to underprice a job. | Can I see a certificate of insurance, and can you have the insurer send it to me directly? |
| Warranty and who answers the phone | A warranty is only as good as the company behind it. | What is warranted, for how long and in writing? |
| Property line and utilities | Without checking lines and calling the utility locate service, a crew may hit a line or build on the wrong side. | Do you call 811 and confirm the line before digging? |
Why insurance matters more than most people think
Fence work means digging, power tools, heavy materials and working next to water lines, irrigation and neighbors' property. Things go wrong on even well-run jobs. A contractor who carries insurance has a way to pay for the damage or injury. One who does not may price the job lower for exactly that reason, and the risk moves to you. Ask for a certificate of insurance before you sign. To be sure it is current, ask the insurance company or agent to send it to you directly, and ask whether it covers the crew that will be on your property, including subcontractors. We are insured and are glad to send a certificate on request.
Other warning signs
- The quote is a single number with no scope.
- The price is far below the others and the contractor cannot explain why.
- A large deposit is requested up front, or the contractor asks for payment in cash only.
- Pressure to sign today because of a special price.
- No written contract, no address, no reviews, or a name that changes from job to job.
- The contractor tells you no approval is needed without checking your documents. See your HOA's rules.
How to compare quotes fairly
- 1Ask each company to quote the same fence
Same height, style, material, linear feet and number of gates.
- 2Get the scope in writing
Post depth, materials, fasteners, tear-out, haul-off, gates and approvals.
- 3Check insurance and reviews
Ask for a certificate of insurance, sent by the insurer if you can, and read recent reviews. See our reviews.
- 4Ask who does the work
Is the crew employed by the company or subcontracted, and who supervises?
- 5Compare the warranty
What is covered, for how long and who to call.
- 6Then compare price
A lower price on an equal scope is a good deal. A lower price on a lesser scope is not.
What a fair price looks like
Fence prices depend on length, height, material, gates, grade and access. See what a fence costs in Katy for ranges and what moves the price. If a quote is far below those ranges, ask why.
We would like to quote your fence, and we are happy for you to compare. Ask us for the same details listed above and we will put them in writing. Every fence we install carries the manufacturer warranty on its materials. Ask for our written workmanship terms with your estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Why is one fence quote so much cheaper than another?
Why does fence contractor insurance matter?
Is the cheapest fence quote always a bad idea?
What should be in a fence estimate?
How much deposit is reasonable?
How can I check a fence contractor?
Last reviewed September 2026. Local rules and prices change; confirm details with 76 Fence, your HOA and your city or county.