FENCING
How Much Does a Fence Cost?
Estimate the cost of a fence per linear foot — materials, labor, gates and posts — with the free fence calculator.
Fencing is priced per linear foot, but the final number depends on the material, height and how much labor your area charges. This guide breaks down the parts and embeds the calculator so you can price a fence with real numbers.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
Most residential fences run $15–$45 per linear foot installed. Wood privacy fences are about $15–$35/ft, vinyl $25–$40/ft, and aluminum or chain link $15–$30/ft. A typical 150 ft yard runs $2,500–$6,000 installed.
What drives the cost per foot
Material is the biggest variable: wood, vinyl, aluminum or chain link all price differently per linear foot. Height and post spacing change the materials you need, and terrain or slope adds labor.
Local labor rates also move the total — digging holes, setting posts and installing panels take real hours.
- Material type and height
- Total linear footage
- Number of posts and post spacing
- Terrain and slope
- Gates, concrete and old-fence removal
Price the job per linear foot
Add the material cost per foot to the labor cost per foot, then multiply by the total length. Gates are priced as units on top of the per-foot total.
Use the calculator below with your numbers.
Material ranges you can use as a starting point
Chain link is usually the least expensive installed, wood sits in the middle and vinyl runs higher. Aluminum and composite options cost more per foot but need less maintenance over time.
Watch for the extras
Gates, concrete for setting posts and removing an old fence are almost always separate line items. Include them before you send the quote so the customer sees the full picture.