Estimate fence installation costs by material. Select a fence type, enter your total linear feet (including height), and see the cost range with labor, materials, and gate estimates.
Last updated: June 2026 — Material prices verified against Home Depot, Lowe's, Angi contractor data, and RSMeans construction cost data.
Fence Cost Per Linear Foot Calculator
Fence Material Cost Comparison — All Types Per Linear Foot Installed
Prices include materials and professional labor for a standard 6-foot-tall fence. Material-only prices are approximately 40–55% of the installed total.
| Fence Material | Low ($/LF) | High ($/LF) | Materials Only | Labor Only | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Link — Galvanized | $8 | $14 | $4–7/LF | $4–7/LF | Security, pets, budget |
| Chain Link — Vinyl-Coated | $12 | $22 | $6–12/LF | $6–10/LF | Appearance + durability |
| Wood — Pressure-Treated | $12 | $18 | $5–9/LF | $7–9/LF | Economy wood fencing |
| Wood — Cedar | $14 | $32 | $7–17/LF | $7–15/LF | Natural beauty, longevity |
| Wood Privacy (Cedar) | $15 | $35 | $8–19/LF | $7–16/LF | Full privacy, aesthetics |
| Vinyl / PVC | $20 | $40 | $10–22/LF | $10–18/LF | Zero maintenance |
| Aluminum | $25 | $50 | $14–28/LF | $11–22/LF | Decorative, rust-proof |
| Wrought Iron | $30 | $60 | $18–35/LF | $12–25/LF | Premium security |
| Split Rail | $10 | $20 | $5–10/LF | $5–10/LF | Rural, large properties |
| Redwood | $18 | $35 | $10–20/LF | $8–15/LF | Premium wood, West Coast |
National averages for standard 6-foot fence installed. Prices vary by region, terrain, access difficulty, and contractor availability. Always get 3+ quotes.
How Fence Height Changes Cost Per Linear Foot
Taller fences require more material, longer posts, deeper post holes, and more labor. Here's how height affects cost for chain link fencing:
| Height | Post Depth | Chain Link (Galv.) | Chain Link (Vinyl-Coated) | Wood Privacy | Vinyl | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 24 in | $8–12/LF | $10–16/LF | $13–28/LF | $17–32/LF | $22–40/LF |
| 6 ft | 30 in | $10–18/LF | $12–22/LF | $15–35/LF | $20–40/LF | $25–50/LF |
| 8 ft | 36 in | $14–26/LF | $18–30/LF | $22–50/LF | $28–58/LF | $35–72/LF |
Height multiplier: 6 ft costs ~25% more than 4 ft; 8 ft costs ~50% more than 6 ft. Posts must extend 2 ft below frost line (check local code).
Chain Link Fence Cost Breakdown — Gauge, Coating & Grade
Chain link (also called cyclone fence or hurricane fence) is the most popular budget fencing option, covering approximately 47% of US residential fence installations. However, not all chain link is the same.
Galvanized vs Vinyl-Coated Chain Link
Galvanized (Silver)
Zinc-coated steel wire. The most affordable option at $8–14/LF installed. Exposed to the elements, the zinc coating eventually wears, leading to rust after 10–15 years. Best for utilitarian applications — dog runs, construction sites, large acreage. Available in 11.5-gauge (residential) and 9-gauge (commercial).
Vinyl-Coated (Black/Green/Brown)
Galvanized core wire with a PVC coating, typically black or green. Costs $12–22/LF installed. The vinyl coating provides rust protection, UV resistance, and a cleaner appearance that blends better with landscaping. Lasts 15–20 years. Popular for residential use where appearance matters. The black color option is the most popular for homes.
Wire Gauge Matters
The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire. Residential-grade chain link typically uses 11.5-gauge wire (0.113 inch diameter). Commercial-grade uses 9-gauge (0.148 inch) which is approximately 70% heavier. The wire mesh opening size also varies — 2-inch diamond is standard for residential; 1-inch (smaller opening) is used for tennis courts and high-security areas.
| Grade | Wire Gauge | Mesh Opening | Frame Pipe | Cost Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Residential | 12.5 ga | 2″ | 1-3/8″ | –10% (below baseline) |
| Standard Residential | 11.5 ga | 2″ | 1-5/8″ | Baseline price |
| Heavy Residential | 9 ga | 2″ | 2″ | +20–30% |
| Commercial | 9 ga | 2″ | 2-3/8″ | +30–45% |
| Industrial (Tennis Court) | 6 ga | 1″ | 2-7/8″ | +60–100% |
Regional Cost Variation — Wood Fence Cost Per Linear Foot by Location
Fence installation labor rates and material availability vary significantly by region. These are installed wood fence per-LF ranges as of 2026:
| Region / Metro | Wood Fence Cost/LF | vs National Avg | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (Houston/Dallas) | $11–20/LF | –15% below avg | Low labor rates, abundant pine |
| Florida | $14–28/LF | +5% above avg | Hurricane codes, humidity |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $12–22/LF | –10% below avg | Competitive contractor market |
| Brooklyn / NYC Metro | $22–42/LF | +40% above avg | High labor, tight access, permits |
| California (LA/SF) | $18–38/LF | +25% above avg | Redwood popularity, labor rates |
| Midwest (Ohio/Indiana) | $10–20/LF | –20% below avg | Lowest labor + material costs |
Rural areas typically fall at the low end; dense urban metros at the high end. Labor makes up 50–60% of the installed cost.
Worked Example: 500 Linear Feet — Wood Privacy vs Chain Link
This real-world scenario compares a 500-linear-foot fence installation for an average suburban backyard. The yard is flat, with soil suitable for standard post-hole digging, and includes one walk gate and one double drive gate.
| Cost Item | Wood Privacy (Cedar) | Chain Link (Vinyl-Coated) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fence Materials (500 LF) | $4,000–7,000 | $3,000–6,000 | Posts, pickets, rails, hardware |
| Labor (500 LF) | $3,500–8,000 | $3,000–5,000 | $7–16/LF wood; $6–10/LF chain link |
| Walk Gate (4 ft) | $150–300 | $100–200 | Includes frame, latch, hinges |
| Double Drive Gate (12 ft) | $400–800 | $300–500 | Heavy-duty posts and hardware |
| Permits | $50–200 | $50–200 | Varies by municipality |
| Post Concrete | $200–500 | $150–350 | ~63 posts at 2 bags each |
| Total Installed Cost | $8,300–17,800 | $6,600–12,250 | Wood privacy is 25–45% more |
| Cost Per Linear Foot | $16.60–$35.60/LF | $13.20–$24.50/LF | Including gates and concrete |
This estimate assumes flat terrain with easy access. Add 10–20% for slopes, rocky soil, or difficult site access. Old fence demolition adds $3–6/LF.
Wood Fence Cost Per Linear Foot — Species, Style & Maintenance
Wood is the most common residential privacy fencing material, with cedar and pressure-treated pine accounting for over 75% of wood fence installations in the US.
Wood Species Cost Comparison
| Wood Species | Cost/LF Installed | Lifespan | Rot Resistance | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Pine | $12–18/LF | 10–15 yrs | High (treated) | Budget privacy, posts |
| Cedar | $14–32/LF | 15–25 yrs | Natural (high) | Privacy, picket, premium |
| Redwood | $18–35/LF | 20–25 yrs | Natural (very high) | West Coast, luxury homes |
| Cypress | $13–25/LF | 12–18 yrs | Moderate–high | Southeast US, budget |
Wood Fence Styles
Picket Fence
$12–22/LF installed. 3–4 ft tall with spaced pickets. Classic curb-appeal style for front yards. Uses less material than privacy fencing, keeping costs lower. Typically painted white.
Privacy (Board-on-Board)
$15–35/LF installed. 6 ft tall with overlapping or alternating pickets. Full visual screening. The most popular backyard fence style. Can be stained or left natural (cedar).
Split Rail
$10–20/LF installed. 2–4 horizontal rails only. No privacy — decorative boundary marking. Popular for large lots and rural properties. Usually cedar or locust posts.
Stain and Seal Cost Adder
A wood fence must be stained or sealed within the first year, then re-stained every 2–4 years. Budget $2–5 per linear foot for professional staining at installation, or $1–2/LF if you DIY. Cedar and redwood can be left untreated (they weather to a silver-gray patina) but staining extends their lifespan by 5–10 years. Use transparent or semi-transparent stain to preserve the natural wood grain.
Common Mistakes When Budgeting for Fence Installation
Not Accounting for Gates
Gates are priced separately from per-LF fencing. A standard 4-foot walk gate costs $100–500 installed. A double drive gate (10–12 ft) costs $300–800. For a project with 3 gates, this adds $500–2,000 to your total — money that's not covered by simply multiplying LF × cost/LF.
Forgetting Demolition and Disposal
If you have an existing fence, removal and disposal costs $3–8 per linear foot. A 200-foot old fence costs $600–1,600 to demolish and haul away. Some contractors include this in their quote; others charge separately. Always ask whether removal is in the price.
Not Budgeting for Post Concrete
Every post needs 1–3 bags of concrete for setting. At $5–8 per bag, a 200-foot fence with 26 posts needs $130–600 in concrete alone. Some contractors include concrete; others price it as a separate line item. Don't assume "per linear foot installed" includes everything.
Ignoring Slope and Terrain
Fencing on a slope requires either stepped installation (posts set vertically, fence steps down like stairs) or racked installation (fence follows the grade angle). Both methods increase labor significantly — add 10–25% to the total cost for slopes. On very steep terrain, retaining walls may be required, adding thousands more.