Why do two Nepean fence quotes differ by thousands?

Two quotes for the same Nepean fence can differ by several thousand dollars; the first thing to check is whether they include the same things.

The things that show up differently across quotes:

• Material and style. Published 2025-26 Ontario installer prices for a pressure-treated wood fence run about $30 to $65 per linear foot installed; cedar runs about $45 to $85; vinyl about $45 to $90; composite about $55 to $95 or more. If one quote is for pressure-treated and the other is for cedar, the per-foot ranges alone differ.
• Removal of the old fence. Pulling and disposing of an existing fence adds roughly $5 to $15 per linear foot, and posts set in concrete cost more to extract. One quote may include this; the other may not.
• Gates. A pedestrian gate adds about $500 to $1,500 on top of the fence price; a driveway gate about $800 to $2,200. If one quote prices the gate separately and the other buries it, the totals look very different.
• Post method. How deep the holes go and whether concrete is used affects both labour and material cost. Ask each installer to state the post method and depth in writing so you are comparing the same work.
• Ground conditions. Rocky soil, tree roots or a slope all change the labour involved. Ask each installer whether the quote assumes flat, clear ground and what happens if it is not.

One more thing to check: the City of Ottawa Fence By-law, No. 2003-462, requires that the finished side of the fence face the street and neighbouring properties, and that every fence except cedar, redwood or treated wood be protected by paint, preservatives or another weather-resistant material. If the two quotes use different materials, ask each installer what upkeep the material needs. Residential chain link must be vinyl or powder coated under the same by-law.

Under the Construction Act, you are required to hold back 10 per cent of the price as work is supplied; ask a lawyer about when it is safe to release that amount on a larger job. The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 gives you 10 days to cancel a direct agreement after receiving the written copy, and a supplier cannot charge more than 10 per cent above a written estimate.

The single most useful question to put to each installer in writing: what exactly does this price include, and what would cause it to change once work starts?