What a fence receipt is for
Fence deposits are large because materials are ordered right away, and the customer wants proof of what they paid for. HOAs sometimes ask for completed work records, and homeowners keep fence receipts for resale. A receipt with footage, material and the balance covers all of it.
What to put on a fence receipt
- Amount, date and payment method.
- Footage, material and gates.
- Deposit or final payment.
- Balance remaining.
A worked example
The homeowner paid the deposit by check to order the privacy fence materials. Type the check in Amount received.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood privacy fence * | 150 | ft | $27.50 | $4,125.00 |
| Walk gate * | 1 | each | $225.00 | $225.00 |
| Total before tax | $4,350.00 |
Note the scheduled install week in the notes; it reassures the customer that the deposit holds a real date.
* Typical price from our free fence cost calculator, which lists its sources. Your own costs and market come first.
Line items fence contractors use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Wood privacy fence, installed | ft | Height, picket style and post spacing. |
| Vinyl privacy fence, installed | ft | Height, color and style. |
| Chain link fence, installed | ft | Height, gauge and coating. |
| Aluminum or steel ornamental fence | ft | Height and style; pool code if it encloses a pool. |
| Walk gate | each | Width and hardware. |
| Double drive gate | each | Width; say whether it needs a drop rod or wheel. |
| Remove and haul away old fence | ft | Including old posts and concrete footings if pulled. |
| Post set in concrete | each | Depth per local code or your standard. |
| Rock or root drilling surcharge | each | Per post hole that hits rock or roots. |
| Grade change or stepping | ft | Sloped yards that need stepped or racked panels. |
| Stain or seal wood fence | ft | After the wood dries, often weeks later. |
| Permit and survey review | each | Many towns require a permit; the property line is the owner's to confirm. |
| Fence repair, replace boards or posts | hour | Repairs priced by time and materials. |
Terms and deposit language for fence
- Deposit. A deposit at signing orders materials and holds the install date. Some states cap deposits on fence and other home improvement work, so look up yours.
- Payment. Balance due when the fence is complete and the gates swing and latch.
- Warranty. Say how long you cover workmanship, such as posts and gates, and that materials carry the maker's warranty. Wood movement and checking are natural, not defects.
- The property owner is responsible for the property line location; you install where the owner or survey marks it.
- Utilities are located before digging; private lines like sprinklers or invisible dog fences are the owner's to mark.
- HOA approval, if needed, is the owner's to get before install.
How to fill it in
- Fill in who paid and which job or invoice the payment is for.
- Check the lines; they show what the payment covers.
- Pick how they paid and add the check or reference number.
- Type the amount received, or leave it blank when it pays the whole total.
- Print it, download it, or hand it over as a PDF.
Free tools for fence
The same receipt for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.
More for fence contractors: how fence contractors run on Koira.