Fences are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and fashionable. Apart from increasing your home’s physical worth, a fence also provides security.
In addition to separating your home from neighbors, it creates a boundary between your children and pets.
With that said, what is the average cost of building a fence?
In this post I discuss the cost of different types of fences and installation. Believe me, the money you will save by researching the fence will make up for the time it takes to properly research fences.
- 1. So , How Much Does It Cost To Put Up A Fence?
- 2. What is the cheapest fence to install?
- 3. Wood Fence Costs: What is the cheapest wooden fence to install?
- 4. Fence Costs: What is the fence cost per foot?
- 5. Is vinyl fence more expensive than composite and wood?
- 6. Fence Costs: What other costs are part of installing a fence?
- 7. What does the fence cost include?
- 8. Who installs fences the cheapest?
- 9. Why do fences cost so much?
- How to estimate fence materia cost?
- FAQs
1. So , How Much Does It Cost To Put Up A Fence?
According to Home Depot, the cost of building a fence (regardless of type) can range between $1,000 and $4,000, with homeowners spending anywhere between $1,600 and $4,000.
The most accurate way of estimating your project cost is by determining the total linear foot of your fence.
While it comes down to the type of material used, fences cost between $15-$60 per linear foot.
The material cost per linear foot is between $10 and $35, and the labor cost is between $5 and $20.
Installing a fence in yards with a steep slope may cost more because of the extra work required.
The per-hour charges range between $30-$75.
It’ll take up to 20 hours to complete a fence of about 150 linear feet.
Building cost comes down to the type of fence and material.
Vinyl fence- Installing a vinyl fence costs around $25-$40 per linear foot.
You can cut down labor costs by installing pre-designed panels rather than building the fence from scratch.
Chain-link Fence- Chain-link fences are extremely easy to maintain, which makes them a preferred choice among homeowners. The metal doesn’t rot, so you can use them for decades.
They don’t make a secured fence because of their see-through design. Installing a chain-link fence costs around $15-$30 per linear foot.
Wood Fence- Wood fences, made from either redwood, pressure-treated pine-oak, or cedar, have less upfront installation cost.
While they’re mostly suitable for privacy, homeowners can also use them to separate in between properties.
Since they are susceptible to rot and termites, they aren’t as durable as other types of fences.
The installation cost of a wooden fence ranges anywhere from $15-$35 per linear foot. The cost may vary depending on the wood type.
Metal Fence- A metal fence is usually steel or aluminum.
You can have them pre-built off-site and installed in your yard. Metal fences may also rust but they require less maintenance.
Installation costs anywhere from $35-$60 per linear foot.
2. What is the cheapest fence to install?
The cheapest fence to install for your home is a PVC-type fence.
Not only are they a suitable alternative to your wooden pickets, but they also protect your property from the external world.
A PVC sleeve provides upgraded stability to a wooden post while cutting down material costs and labor. In addition, PVC protects the fence from rain, snow, and sunlight, so it lasts for decades.
3. Wood Fence Costs: What is the cheapest wooden fence to install?
The cost of wood fences varies. However, treated pine fences are usually among the cheapest.
According to Home Advisor, a 6-foot tall fence of treated pine costs between $1 to $5 per linear foot.
Pressure-treated pine is more durable than normal pine. Although it costs a little more, the investment is quite worth it.
Redwood and cedar are expensive options to pine, with the material cost increasing by approximately 20%-50%.
How much does a wooden cedar fence cost?
The cost of cedar fences usually ranges between $15 to $30 per linear foot (installation inclusive).
That’s between $2,250-$4,500 for 150 linear feet.
Remember that pressure-treated pines are used for the fence posts.
A larger wood privacy fence will be costlier than small picket fences. The price can also be influenced by factors like ground conditions, local rates, and season.
For additional designs, such as a scalloped top, pressure-treated pine typically costs around $2 per linear foot.
You may spend an extra $3-$6 per linear foot to remove the old fence.
How much does a wooden pine fence cost?
The cost of a pressure-treated pine ranges between $20-$25 per linear foot with installation.
If your backyard measures 150 linear feet, which is the standard measurement of most backyards, you should expect to spend anywhere from $1500 to $3750.
4. Fence Costs: What is the fence cost per foot?
If you want to use the service of a professional contractor for your new fence installation, you may spend within the national average of $3,440.
The overall cost will largely depend on the design and the material used.
Regardless of the type of fence, installation cost ranges between $1,330- $5,550, which is approximately $8-$46 per linear foot. That already includes labor costs and material costs averaging $27 per linear foot.
Fence Costs: How much does a fence cost per linear foot installed (fence + installation labor)?
As mentioned earlier, the type of fence you want to install and the material you want to use will determine the cost per linear foot.
Vinyl Fence –Vinyl fences are durable and can last for decades.
- They are available in different designs and colors and they are easy to maintain.
- The installation cost of a vinyl fence is around $25 – $40 per linear foot. You can cut the cost by installing pre-built panels.
Chain link fence- Chain link fences are popular because they are low maintenance. The metal can last up to two decades without rotting.
- Chain link fences are safe for pets and children.
- The see-through feature of a chain link can be a deal-breaker, especially if privacy is the priority.
- Installation may cost between $15-$30 per linear foot.
Wood Fence- Wood can be used as a privacy fence or as a sectional fence. Because wood fences are prone to termite attacks and rot, they require a lot of maintenance.
Wood fences cost around $15 and $35 per linear foot depending on the type of wood.
Metal Fence- Metal fences are usually made from steel or aluminum. You can assemble them off-site and install them on-site.
- Metal fences usually require less maintenance, though they are prone to rust.
- A metal fence usually costs anywhere from $35 to $60 per linear foot.
5. Is vinyl fence more expensive than composite and wood?
Composite fencing is usually less expensive than wood fencing but costs more than vinyl.
Woods in composite fencing may cause a few drawbacks.
Changes in humidity cause the wood in composite fencing to contract, which eventually results in warping.
Vinyl fencing is more expensive than wood fencing but can last for a longer time.
6. Fence Costs: What other costs are part of installing a fence?
Fence material is one factor that must be stored when installing a fence.
Chain link is the most cost-effective material, whereas vinyl and aluminum are the most expensive.
Although wrought iron and wood are high-quality materials, they come off at a decent price.
The length of a fence also influences the cost. You’ll need more posts for a longer fence, which means more money on labor costs.
Labor also plays a huge role in cost. This is usually determined by your local fencing rate. Labor cost varies among counties.
In addition, the style of the fence also influences the price. The simpler the style, the lower the cost.
7. What does the fence cost include?
Some other expenses also contribute to the price of fence installation.
According to Home Advisor, labor and material costs can contribute to over 50% of overall fence costs.
The size of the fencing area also affects cost.
If you are installing your fence in an area with large debris and rocks, you may need to spend more money on digging the posts.
Check if you will need to apply for a permit before starting.
Permits– Permits are one of the building costs of a fence.
Although applying for a permit comes at no extra cost to you, you may have to pay an approval fee in rare cases. This is usually common when you want to install a fence in secluded locations.
You may spend between $400 and $800 on a building permit.
Cost of Labor- Property fencing is time-sensitive.
That’s why labor contributes to 50% of the cost.
Labor rates are usually determined by the fencing material and the complexity of the task.
You should prepare between $30-$80 per hour for labor costs.
Professional contractors can install a 200 linear feet fence within 35 hours.
Pro Tip: Trees may need to be removed on rare occasions, which will incur an additional cost. Even the root system of the removed tree will require more labor effort when digging, which may result in a higher cost. Remeber to not get too close to the property lines.
The same also applies to concrete floors when you have pre-existing concrete.
Similarly, if the contractor detects bedrock when digging the post, he may need specialized equipment to remove it, which is another additional cost.
Fence costs: Does it include removing my old fence?
Yes, if you requested that it be added into the project costs. You need to remove the old fence panel to install a new one by yourself or have the installer remove the old fence for you. Either way, it has to go.
Pro Tip: If you can reuse the Fence Posts you will save a lot of time and effort. They are usually installed in concrete and must be removed with specialty fence post removal equipment.
You may tear the old fence, but an iron or stone fence may require additional support (equipment) to remove.
This is where an expert comes in at an average of $3-$5 per linear foot.
8. Who installs fences the cheapest?
You can choose to do the installation yourself if you are handy.
However, you have to have good knowledge of the installation process. If not, you may need professional help.
Alternatively, you can use the help of a handy friend or neighbor, especially someone with a similar experience.
9. Why do fences cost so much?
Fence pricing varies and it is determined by several factors which include:
- Yard size– Obviously, a fence installed on a larger yard will cost more than the one installed on a smaller yard.
- Material used- Fencing materials vary in quality and price. Your choice will affect the overall cost of fence installation.
- Fence style- Some fence styles require special tools, proper installation, and time, which may influence the overall price of your installation.
- Labor- Areas like trenches and hills will require more labor-intensive applications which can affect the installation price.
- Geography– the price of fence installation varies depending on location. Climate and rough terrain may increase installation prices.
How to estimate fence materia cost?
Before you install a fence, you need a rough estimate or a general idea of how much you may likely spend.
The difference in quantity and type will greatly impact your budget.
Here’s how to estimate your fence material costs:
- Estimate the length measurement- Measure the perimeter and lineal feet of your fence.
A little tech knowledge can help here. Instead of walking the distance yourself, you can use the satellite feature on Google Maps’ distance app to check your property.
Use the app to measure your property boundary.
The app provides a rough estimate of your linear foot, which is more important for a larger area.
- Get the height measurement- Determine the height of the fence.
Is it a short fence with around 32 feet or a tall fence with up to 8 feet? Tall fences require more material and labor investment than short fences.
- Estimate the Gates– How many gate openings will you likely need?
Remember that fence installation costs are some of the higher prices home improvement projects.
Of course, the number of gates will determine the number of posts to be installed.
Again, decide if you will go the DIY way to install your gate or get a prefabricated gate kit. Prefab gates already have their focal points professionally crafted, which is a huge advantage over the DIY approach, especially if you are not a pro.
Nevertheless, measure the width of the gate opening.
- Make a quick sketch- Sketch the proposed shape of your property on paper.
It doesn’t matter whether or not it scales; what matters is to have the numbers of corners included.
Put down the length of individual sections of the fence. That way, you can easily estimate the total number of posts required for the project.
- Checks for hills and slopes- Do you have an area in your yard with higher steepness than the rest?
Mark them in your sketch because it may influence the number of lumber needed for your installation.
- Attached or freestanding? Do you want a fence attached to your building or the stand-alone version?
Your choice will affect the number of posts needed for the project.
- Choose your style- Do you have a style in mind?
From a beautiful horizontal fence to a short picket fence and board fencing style, remember that these styles require different materials, lengths, and heights.
You can also study other styles of fences around you as you drive downtown.
Take some pictures (of course, with permission) of the fence for inspiration.
Your contractor can easily identify which one suits your needs and meets your budget. If you have no ideas where to start from, you can visit a nearby lumber yard for more inspiration.
- Get your width right- Assuming you’ve clarified your fencing style, you should know the exact width of your fence plank.
Check the gap size of each board to know what number of lumber to use.
- Calculate- Now that you have the necessary information to start, it is time to do the math.
If your short fence will have linear feet of 100 with 6 inches wide boards without gaps, it means you will need 2 boards per unit, making 200 boards.
Follow similar procedures for other parameters.
FAQs
Fence Costs & Financing
Check out Ultimate Guide to Fence Financing to find out all your questions on credit, credit scores, the best options and companies to use to finance your fence.
How Does Fence Financing Work?
When you finance a fence, you’re essentially borrowing money to pay for it. This amount needs to be paid back over a period of time.
During this process, you’ll have to make monthly payments to the company from where you borrowed your money from.
These companies might offer different repayment periods, so you can choose the one that works best for you.
You’ll also have to pay interest on the money that you borrow. This interest is usually expressed as an APR, or Annual Percentage Rate.
What is the cost to fence in ¼ acre?
The typical cost of fencing on ¼ acres is $4,500. This includes the cost of labor, installation, and material. The average cost is around $13 per linear foot.
You may also spend up to $18,000 on fencing one acre of land with the cost of composite fences averaging $35 per linear foot.
Installing a fence may cost anywhere between $1500-3000 on a decent, non-sloppy yard with an average cost of around $1800.
The cost of new fencing per foot is between $5-16 per linear foot with one acre costing around $2,016 to $9,011.
Other estimates that may factor into the cost of a wood fence are the type of material used, fence height, and fence length.
What does it cost to fence a 1-acre lot?
Based on a national average, fencing a 1-acre lot will cost anywhere between $2,000 and $37,000.
Wooden fences are the most expensive because they are difficult to install. They also require expert attention.
Chain-link fences are the most cost-effective type of fence. You can have them installed at $15 to $30 per linear foot, including the cost of labor. You can cut down the cost if you do it yourself.
Barbed wire is usually more cost-effective but not so beautiful and can be unsafe if handled wrongly.
However, the fact that you will only spend between $1 to $2.5 per linear foot makes it a considerable option among homeowners, especially those living on farms.
Fence Installer
How much does Home Depot charge to install a fence?
Home Depot Fence charges the least amount for chain-link installation, which is about $200 for every 50 feet ($4 per linear foot) besides $10-25 per fence post.
The most expensive fencing option is the composite fence where Home Depot Fence charges between $285-$320 for every 8ft wide panel or between $35-$40 for each foot.
How much does Lowe’s charge to install a fence?
Lowe’s charges the least amount for chain link installation, which is about $75-$200 for every 50 feet ($1.5-4 per linear foot) in addition to $10-$25 per fence post.
The most expensive fencing option is the composite fence, which Lowe’s charges between $280-$300 for every 8ft wide panel or between $32-$38 per foot).
Before starting a fence project, you need to know the upfront cost.
The type of fence and quality of the materials will determine the cost.
This article will discuss the cost of fences, installation costs with different yards, as well as estimating fence costs. This will also answer common fence cost questions.
