A residential fence installer's margins sit between 10 and 15%. That covers operations, warranties, regulatory compliance, and follow-up. When a quote is 20% below the others, something is inevitably missing.
1. No registered business -- An installer with no stable establishment has no fixed costs: no office, no declared employees, no structure. That transfers all the risk to the homeowner.
2. Lower-quality materials -- Cheap imported composite that fades in two years instead of lasting 25. Wire mesh too thin that bends after the first winter.
3. No real warranty -- A warranty is only as good as the company behind it. A casual worker who disappears after six months doesn't leave you much recourse.
4. Regulatory non-compliance -- Municipal permits and bylaw compliance take time and cost money. Some skip that step, and the homeowner gets the fine.
5. Poor installation -- Posts poorly anchored, badly mixed concrete, inadequate fasteners. An ornamental fence that leans after one Quebec winter -- that happens when the job is rushed.
That $2,000 "saved" can turn into $5,000 in losses:
- Premature repairs after 1-2 years
- Full replacement of a failed installation
- Municipal fines for non-compliance
- Property devaluation
- Disputes with no recourse
A professional quote should include:
- Tax numbers (GST/QST)
- A detailed description of materials
- Payment terms (avoid requests for full payment upfront)
Before signing:
- How long has the company been operating?
- Who does the work -- employees or subcontractors?
- Any recent, verifiable references?
Price alone isn't enough. A significant gap almost always hides a compromise on quality, compliance, or durability.
A well-prepared quote reflects the real cost of materials, labour, and follow-up. We're not talking about paying top dollar for prestige -- we're talking about paying what it actually costs to get the job done right, with materials from Quebec suppliers and an installation that will last.
To compare quotes on a level playing field, check out our fence models and request a detailed quote.
