Should a fence company use EDDM or an addressed mailing list?

Neither by default. EDDM sends to every address on the routes you pick, so a fence company pays to reach homes that will never buy a fence. An addressed list reaches chosen households, like the neighbors of finished jobs. Custom direct mail with a data-built list usually fits a fence company better, and EDDM works only for tight, local drops.

Want to see which homes near your jobs a custom list would reach? Book a free demo.

What is the difference between EDDM and an addressed mailing list?

EDDM, or Every Door Direct Mail, is a USPS service that delivers to every address on the carrier routes you choose, with no names on the pieces. An addressed list mails chosen households by name and address. EDDM buys coverage of a route. An addressed list buys selection of who gets the card.

That one difference drives the rest of this post. USPS delivers to 157.8 million residential and 12.6 million business addresses, and EDDM can reach every one on the routes you choose. A fence company has no use for most of them: renters, apartments, and lots with no room for a fence.

When does EDDM make sense for a fence company?

EDDM makes sense when you want to blanket a small area around a job you just finished and nearly every home on the route is a fit. It also works when you have no time to build a list. Beyond a few tight routes, you pay for homes that were never going to call.

Use EDDM sparingly, and only when:

• The routes cover single-family neighborhoods with yards.
• The drop is small and close to a recent install.
• You can track the response with a QR code or a call tracking number.

Outside that case, selection beats coverage.

Who should a fence company mail with an addressed list?

A fence company should mail homeowners near finished installs, new construction, and homes that match the lots and styles of its best past jobs. Addressed mail lets you skip renters and properties that cannot take a fence. Each card then goes to a household with a real reason to read it.

Good targets:

• Neighbors of finished jobs. A new fence is a live demo on the street. Mail the surrounding homes while the work is fresh.
• New subdivisions. New owners decide about yards in their first months.
• HOA communities. If you know the approved styles, your offer already fits the rules.
• Look-alike homes. Properties that resemble the ones you already fenced.

Gorilla Works builds these lists for you. See how we handle the trade on our fencing page.

Do you need your own mailing list?

No. USPS does not sell address lists, and you do not have to bring one. Gorilla Works builds your list with AI from more than 200 data variables plus statistical modeling, aimed at the homes most likely to need a fence. If you have past customer records, we use them to sharpen the model. Learn more about custom direct mail.

We target by property and area. We do not target by sensitive personal traits.

How do you decide between EDDM and an addressed list?

Ask five questions. If most answers point to precision, go with an addressed list. If the area is small and every home fits, EDDM can work.

✅ Who gets the card? Every door on a route, or chosen households?

✅ What does a wasted piece cost you? A fence job is high-ticket, so each good lead matters more than each piece mailed.

✅ Can you follow up? Plan more than one drop to the same neighborhood.

✅ Is there one clear offer? One offer, one deadline, one call to action.

✅ Can you tell what worked? Use a unique QR code or phone number per drop.

Custom mail starts as low as $0.78 per piece and includes the list, design, printing, and mailing. See pricing.

How do you track which approach worked?

Give each drop its own QR code, tracking phone number, or offer code, and send them all to a matching landing page. Then ask every caller how they heard about you. Compare estimates booked and jobs closed for each drop, not just scans and calls.

Some homeowners see the card and search your name a week later. Causal analytics helps estimate those responses too. They are estimates, but they get you closer to the truth than counting scans. You can also tie mail to your search and social work through our Google and Meta integrations.

FAQ

Can I use EDDM and a custom list together?

Yes. Use an addressed list for your main targeting and EDDM for a small, tight drop around a finished job. Track each separately so you can compare cost per job.

How often should I mail the same neighborhood?

Plan more than one drop per season. Repeat mail builds recognition. Stop mailing areas that do not respond.

Is direct mail still worth it for fence companies?

Yes, when the list, offer, and tracking are right. Read our guide to whether direct mail still works.

Choose precision, then book a demo

EDDM buys coverage. An addressed list buys selection. For most fence companies, selection wins. Gorilla Works builds the list, times your drops to the season, and connects mail to Google, Meta, and SEO. Book a free demo and we will map the homes near your jobs.

Explore more practical marketing guidance: Should a fence company use Nextdoor?; and How do fence companies track where their leads come from?.