A commercial fencing contractor in Texas used IronKit to quote 320 linear feet of ornamental steel fence around a corporate office campus. The spec called for 2" square tube posts at 8' on-center, 1" square tube rails (top and bottom), 5/8" solid square pickets with spear-point finials, and a double-swing 16' gate with automated operator. All steel was to receive hot-dip galvanize plus powder coat in a custom bronze color. The fence company's estimator said the dual-finish pricing (galvanize + powder coat) was the part that always tripped up his manual estimates — IronKit got it right on the first pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is ornamental fence more expensive than chain link?
Ornamental steel uses formed and welded components (tube posts, solid pickets with finials, custom gate frames) plus a dual finish (galvanize + powder coat). Chain link is a commodity product — ornamental is custom fabrication.
Does IronKit price dual-finish (galvanize + powder coat)?
Yes. Galvanizing is priced per-pound and powder coat as a lump sum or per-sqft. IronKit separates them so the customer can see each finish cost independently.
Can I adjust the picket spacing?
Yes. Change the spacing and IronKit recalculates the picket count, material cost, and fabrication labor. 4" on-center is standard for commercial; 3-1/2" for pool code.