What a fence work order is for
A fence in the wrong place is the most expensive mistake a crew can make. The work order puts the property pins, the gate locations and which way they swing, the utility marks and the sprinkler lines on one page with the material list. The crew lead checks the line against it before the first hole.
What to put on a fence work order
- Fence line and property pins.
- Post spacing and height.
- Gate locations, widths and swing direction.
- Utility marks and private lines.
- Old fence removal and haul.
- What to protect.
A worked example
Install day for the privacy fence. Prices are hidden.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove old chain link and posts | 150 | ft | Your price |
| Set posts in concrete, 8 ft on center | 20 | each | Your price |
| Install rails and pickets, 6 ft | 150 | ft | Your price |
| Hang walk gate, swing in, left side | 1 | each | Your price |
Put the property pins and the sprinkler lines in site notes. The crew lead confirms the line with the owner before digging.
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. |
How to fill it in
- Fill in the customer, the site and the date.
- Add who is assigned, the arrival window and access.
- List the tasks and materials in the order the crew will need them.
- Put gate codes, pets and anything to protect in the site notes.
- Print it for the truck or send it to the crew's phone as a PDF.
Free tools for fence
The same work order 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.