Asking “How much does fencing cost?” is a little like asking, “How long is a piece of string?” The first step to an accurate fencing quote usually requires site measurements. So, explore these four quick and easy ways to measure your site in just a few minutes!
1. Using a tape measure for site measurements
The first one is pretty straightforward. If you have a tape measure, this will give you the most accurate results.
While this method is much easier with a friend, you can also enlist the help of a trusty rock to anchor the starting point in place while you extend the tape and get your readings!
However, suppose you’re not comfortable using a tape measure (or don’t own one). In that case, you can also work out rough site measurements using the following three methods.
2. Pace it out
A simple way to estimate site measurements is to pace it out.
If you can measure out a metre and then take a practice step using that measurement, it can improve the accuracy of your pacing. However, you can also estimate by taking an extra-wide step, as an average step is around 80cm. Once you’re comfortable with the width of your step, you can pace out the length of your boundary, as in the video above.
3. Use your existing fence for site measurements
If you’re replacing an existing fence, you can also use it to estimate the measurements for your new fencing quote.
Most fence posts are generally 1.8 or 2.4m apart. So, measure or estimate the post-to-post distance to get a rough measurement for the ‘bay.’ (A term for the section of fencing between the posts). Then, use the total number of bays to calculate the length of your new fence.
For instance:
- If your fence currently has a 1.8m post-to-post measurement and six fence bays, you’d end up with an estimate of 10.8m.
- If you have a 2.4m post-to-post measurement and ten fence bays, your estimate will be 24m.
4. Use the Measure app on your smartphone
If you have a smartphone, you have a measuring tape!
The Measure app is one of many handy apps that can help with outdoor projects and gardening maintenance.
For short distances and lengths, or areas with a clear line of sight to the endpoint, you simply:
- Open the app.
- Point the camera down so that it faces the starting point.
- Touch the ‘+’ button on the screen to add the starting point of your measurement; a small dot should appear on the screen.
- Start moving the camera across the area you’re measuring; a thin line should appear as you move.
- When you reach the end of your measurement, touch the ‘+’ button on the screen to add the endpoint. A small dot should appear at the end of the thin line.
- The line should show the estimated measurement!
For longer distances or areas with visual obstructions in front of the endpoint (common with outdoor spaces), you simply:
- Open the app.
- Point the camera down so that it directly faces the ground.
- Touch the ‘+’ button on the screen to add the starting point of your measurement; a small dot should appear on the screen.
- Start walking, keeping the camera facing the ground; a thin line should appear as you walk. Remember to move slowly and pay attention to where you’re walking to avoid injury!
- When you reach the end of your measurement, touch the ‘+’ button on the screen to add the endpoint; a small dot should appear at the end of the thin line.
- Turn around and face the camera back over the thin line you just paced out; the line should now have a tag with the estimated measurement!
And there you have it – four simple methods to get rough site measurements in just a few minutes! You’re now on your way to getting a fencing quote and finally answering that question; how much does fencing cost?!
