Part 1 of 5: Buying a New Fence? The Lowest Price Could Cost You the Most

When you're shopping for a new fence, it's completely normal to get multiple estimates. In fact, I encourage it. Get three or four quotes and compare them carefully.

But here's something I've seen happen more than once over the years.

A customer recently asked why our proposal was several thousand dollars higher than another contractor's. After reviewing the numbers, I realized something didn't add up.

The other contractor's total price was only about $200 more than what I can purchase the materials for.

Think about that for a second.

How does a company buy thousands of dollars in lumber, concrete, steel posts, screws, hardware, fuel, insurance, vehicles, equipment, labor, warranties, and still make a profit on only $200?

The answer is simple.

They can't.

If One Quote Doesn't Make Sense, There's Usually a Reason

As a high-volume fence contractor, we receive excellent pricing from our suppliers because we purchase materials every single day. Even with our buying power, there is no legitimate way to build a quality fence for that price.

When one estimate is dramatically lower than every other contractor, it should immediately raise questions.

There are a few possible explanations.

1. The Materials May Not Be What You're Paying For

One of the most common issues is that customers are quoted one material but receive something completely different.

For example:

• You're told you're getting Western Red Cedar, but the contractor installs Japanese Cedar.
• You're told you're getting cedar, but portions of the fence are actually Douglas fir or another lower-cost lumber.
• You're promised premium-grade lumber but receive lower grades with more defects.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Japanese Cedar. We install it every day and stand behind it with the same workmanship warranty we provide on our fences.



The problem is when a customer pays Western Red Cedar pricing but receives a different product without knowing it.

Most homeowners simply don't know the difference once the fence is installed.

2. The Materials Could Be Coming From Questionable Sources

Unfortunately, this is something that does happen in the construction industry.

Over the years, there have been documented cases where large quantities of building materials were stolen from job sites, distribution yards, or shipping containers and later sold far below market value.

If a contractor is buying lumber for 20 or 30 cents on the dollar from someone selling out of a warehouse, storage unit, or parking lot instead of purchasing through legitimate suppliers, that dramatically lowers their costs.

While it's impossible to know where every contractor gets their materials, an unrealistically low bid should prompt questions about sourcing and quality.

Ask where the materials are coming from.

Ask what supplier they're using.

Ask for the exact lumber species that will be installed.

A reputable contractor should have no problem answering those questions.

Don't Compare Price. Compare Value.

The goal isn't to hire the most expensive contractor.

The goal is to hire the contractor that provides the best overall value.

If three estimates are relatively close and one is thousands of dollars lower, don't immediately assume you've found a great deal.

Ask yourself why.

There is usually a reason.

Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask

Before signing a contract, ask:

• What exact species of lumber are you installing?
• Is it Western Red Cedar, Japanese Cedar, or another product?
• Where are your materials purchased?
• Can you provide documentation for the materials if requested?
• Are the materials new and purchased through authorized suppliers?
• Is everything listed in writing on the contract?

Those questions can save you thousands of dollars and help ensure you're getting exactly what you're paying for.

Coming Next: Part 2

In the next article, we'll discuss something that's just as important as the materials themselves:

The warranty.

A fence may look great on installation day, but what happens if something goes wrong a year later? We'll explain why a written workmanship warranty can be one of the most valuable parts of your investment.

Frisco Fence and Stain believes every customer deserves honest pricing, quality materials, and complete transparency. If you'd like a detailed, apples-to-apples estimate for your next fence replacement or fence installation, we'd be happy to help. Contact us today for a free quote.

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Part 1 of 5: Why Some Fence Quotes Are Thousands Less Than Everyone Else's

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A fence quote that seems too good to be true often is. Learn why some fence contractors can bid thousands less and what questions every homeowner should ask before signing a contract.