How fence contractors quote a job on-site: property walkthrough to signed proposal

Fencing is a fast-decision job — homeowners often want it handled quickly and will hire the first contractor who makes it easy. Walk the line, hand them a clear, itemized proposal before you leave, and you’ve usually won it before the next company even calls back.

Here’s how to go from property walk to a signed fence proposal in about ten minutes, on your phone. We’ll use roughly 150 linear feet of cedar privacy fence with two gates as the example.

Step 1 — Start the job on your phone

After you’ve walked and measured the line, open DoneDeal and create a new project with the customer’s name, address, and trade. Under a minute, and it feeds everything after.

Step 2 — Add linear feet and notes

Enter the total linear feet and the details that drive the price: fence style and height, post spacing and setting method, number and type of gates, removal of an existing fence, terrain and slope, and any utility or property-line concerns. Bullet notes are all the AI needs.

Step 3 — Snap the photos

Photograph the fence line, the corners and gate locations, the terrain, and any existing fence to remove. They give the AI context and show the customer you scoped the actual run, slope and obstacles included.

Step 4 — Let DoneDeal draft the estimate

Tap Generate estimate. DoneDeal drafts an itemized fence estimate — layout and marking, removal and haul-off of the old fence, post holes and concrete-set posts, rails, pickets or panels, gates and hardware, and slope adjustments — priced for the trade and region. A complete draft in seconds.

Step 5 — Adjust line items and add your own

You control every number. Adjust the linear-foot quantities and prices to how you install, and add custom lines the property calls for — an upgraded gate, a gravel board along the bottom, or extra labor for a steep section.

Step 6 — Set tax, contingency, and your minimum

Add your tax rate, a reserve percentage for the rocky holes and hidden lines every fence run turns up, and your minimum bid so a short run still pays. DoneDeal totals it instantly, margin included.

Step 7 — Generate the proposal

Tap Generate proposal. DoneDeal produces a full, professional document — summary, scope, your photos, itemized pricing, assumptions and exclusions, and a signature block — polished enough to close on the spot.

Step 8 — Send it on-site

Tap Send to customer. DoneDeal generates a phone-friendly link and copies it — text or email it before you leave — and notifies you when they open it.

Step 9 — They approve and sign on their phone

The customer reviews the scope and price and e-signs from their phone. The job flips to won — booked before the next fence company returns the call.

Why speed wins fence jobs

Fencing buyers reward whoever makes it easy first. A fast, itemized proposal signals you’ll install just as promptly. DoneDeal turns “I’ll get you a quote in a few days” into ten minutes at the property.

Try DoneDeal free — your first three proposals are on us. Turn your next property walk into a signed job before you leave.