Fence Quote Calculator

Calculate material takeoffs and quotes for wood, vinyl, and aluminum fence projects. Handles post counts, picket quantities, concrete bags, gate hardware, an...

Security Scan

The skill's instructions, scope, and requirements are consistent with its stated purpose of calculating fence material takeoffs and quotes; it requests no credentials, installs nothing, and doesn't reference unrelated system resources.

Purpose & Capability

Name, description, and runtime instructions all describe fence material takeoffs and quoting. The formulas, output format, and supported fence types match the stated purpose; there are no unrelated environment variables, binaries, or config path requirements.

Instruction Scope

SKILL.md contains only domain-specific calculation rules, rounding guidance, and an explicit output format. It does not instruct the agent to read system files, access environment variables, call external endpoints, or collect unrelated data. It also explicitly forbids estimating labor, keeping scope narrow.

Install Mechanism

No install spec and no code files — instruction-only. Nothing will be downloaded or written to disk by an installer, which minimizes install-time risk.

Credentials

The skill declares no required environment variables, credentials, or config paths. Requested access is proportional (none) to the described functionality.

Persistence & Privilege

Skill is not always-enabled (always: false) and is user-invocable. It does not request persistent presence, system-wide config changes, or access to other skills' credentials.

Assessment

This skill appears coherent and low-risk: it only encodes calculation rules and output formatting and asks for no secrets. Before using, verify that its assumptions (8' post spacing, bag weights, picket widths, standard gate openings) match your local materials and project requirements. If you plan to connect it to pricing data or a backend later, expect to re-evaluate environment/credential needs at that time. Also confirm Reese's layout details before producing final quotes, as the skill repeatedly warns.

When to Use

• Reese asks to "quote a fence job" or "run a takeoff"
• Any mention of calculating fence materials, posts, pickets, concrete, or gates
• Pricing or estimating a fence project

Material Specifications

Post Types & Spacing

• Line posts, corner posts, end posts: 4x4 pressure treated
• Gate posts: 6x6 pressure treated (1 per single gate opening, 2 per double gate opening)
• Post spacing: 8 feet on center

Post Count Formula

1. Calculate total line sections: total_linear_feet / 8 (round up)
2. End posts = 2 per fence run (start and end of each continuous run)
3. Corner posts = 1 per corner
4. Line posts = total_sections - 1 - corner_posts (per run)
5. Gate posts: count based on gate config (see gates below)

Rails

• 3x 2x4x8 rails per 8-foot section
• 3x 2x4x8 per gate leaf (for gate framing)

Pickets (Wood Fence)

• Type: 1x6x6 dog ear pressure treated
• Coverage: 5.5 inches per picket (actual board width, no gap/waste factor)
• Per 8-foot section: 96 inches / 5.5 inches = 17.45 -> 18 pickets per section (round up)
• Total pickets: sections x 18

Concrete

• 4x4 posts: 60 lbs per post
• 6x6 posts: 80 lbs per post
• Aluminum posts: 60 lbs per post
• Vinyl posts: 80 lbs per post
• Bag size: 80 lb bags ONLY (Home Depot, 42 bags per pallet)
• Bags per 4x4: 60/80 = 0.75 -> round up to 1 bag per 4x4 post
• Bags per 6x6: 80/80 = 1 bag per 6x6 post

Gates

• Standard single gate: 5 feet wide opening (4 feet if specifically requested)
• Standard double gate: 10 feet wide opening (8 feet if specifically requested)
• Hardware per gate opening: 1 latch + 1 handle
• Hinges: 3 per gate leaf (single gate = 3 hinges, double gate = 6 hinges)
• Drop rod: 1 per double gate

Fence Types Supported

1. Wood (PT pine, dog ear pickets)
2. Tan Vinyl
3. White Vinyl
4. 5ft Aluminum
5. 4ft Aluminum

Output Format

When calculating a quote, present results as:

MATERIAL TAKEOFF - [Project Name/Address]
Fence Type: [type]
Total Linear Feet: [X]
Gate Config: [X single, X double]

POSTS
- 4x4 line/corner/end posts: [count]
- 6x6 gate posts: [count]

RAILS
- 2x4x8 (fence sections): [count]
- 2x4x8 (gate framing): [count]
- Total 2x4x8: [count]

PICKETS (wood only)
- 1x6x6 dog ear PT: [count]

CONCRETE
- 80lb bags: [count]
- Pallets (42/pallet): [count]

GATE HARDWARE
- Latches: [count]
- Handles: [count]
- Hinges: [count]
- Drop rods: [count]

Important Notes

• Always round up on pickets and posts. Short materials means a return trip.
• If Reese gives you a rough sketch or describes corners/gates, confirm the layout before running numbers.
• For vinyl and aluminum, post spacing and section widths may differ from wood. Ask Reese to confirm if specs differ from the 8' OC standard.
• Do NOT estimate labor costs in this skill. That's separate pricing.