Fence site visit fee in Ottawa, normal or not?

We found too few published prices to say what an Ottawa fence site visit costs, and no rule in the Fence By-law or the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 that sets or caps one.

If an installer charges for a visit, ask before you book it what the visit includes (measuring the run, checking the grade, a written quote) and whether the fee is credited against the job if you hire them.

A few things worth knowing before that visit happens. The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 says that any direct agreement made somewhere other than the supplier's place of business and worth more than $50 must be in writing and delivered to you; you then have 10 days to cancel without any reason. If the agreement includes an estimate, the supplier cannot charge more than 10 per cent above it. Ask for the site visit fee, and any subsequent quote, in writing before work begins.

If you are on a corner lot or your driveway meets the street, mention that during the visit. Ask the installer to show you where those limits fall on your property.

You can request a match with local fence installers through the form on this page; they are listed in the Ottawa Construction Network directory.

Get the site visit fee, and whether it is credited against the job, written into the quote before the visit is booked.