How much fencing do I need

Measuring the length

Walk the fence line and count your paces. An adult pace is close enough to a metre for an initial estimate, and it is far better than guessing from memory.

If you have a tape or a phone measuring app, use it, but do not let the lack of one stop you enquiring.

• Measure each straight run separately rather than adding them into one number
• Note where the boundary turns a corner
• Include the gate openings in the total length, and note them separately as well
• Measure along the ground, not in a straight line through the air, where the ground slopes

Describe the shape, not just the total

A boundary of 40 metres could be one long straight run, or four 10 metre runs around a corner block with two gates. Those are different jobs, because corners and gate openings both need posts and framing.

The clearest way to describe it is run by run: "18 metres along the rear, then 12 metres down the left side, then a 1 metre gate, then 4 metres to the house."

Gates

Note each gate separately: roughly how wide the opening is, and what it is for.

• A walk-through gate onto a side path is a pedestrian gate
• A wider opening for a mower or bin is usually a single gate
• A vehicle opening is usually a pair of leaves, so a double or driveway gate
• If you are not sure what you need, describe what has to get through it instead

Sloping ground

If the ground falls along the fence line, say so and describe it roughly: a gentle fall, a noticeable slope, or steep enough that you would notice walking it.

Slope affects whether the fence steps or rakes, and it affects the setting out, so it is worth mentioning even approximately.

What to photograph

Photos do more than measurements to make a quote accurate. Five or six from your phone is plenty.

• The existing fence, from one end looking along it
• Any section that has failed, leaning, or rotted at the posts
• The access route from the street to the fence line, including any steps or narrow points
• Where each gate needs to go
• Any retaining wall, block wall or change in level along the boundary
• Anything you think might be a problem, because it probably is worth knowing about

What not to worry about

You do not need to know your fence style, your paling count, your post spacing or your rail configuration. That is our job.

You do not need survey-accurate boundary dimensions. The boundary gets measured properly at the site visit.

And you do not need to know what you want. The quote form has an option to say you would like advice, and describing the problem is more useful than guessing at the solution.